Discover French Wine region Côtes du Rhône

The French wine region, the Côtes du Rhône is a wine lover’s paradise. Greeks and Romans established French wine cultivation in this region, (which I explore in future posts) introducing rosé wine for which the region is still known. Undoubtedly, the Rhône valley is one of the best wine producing regions in France with a rich history, diverse terroirs, and exceptional GSM (grenache, syrah, and mourvèdre) grape wines. it also creates affordable wines that are easy to drink. With two distinct regions, Northern and Southern Rhône, the area is a must-visit destination for wine enthusiasts and oenophiles.

This section focuses on the Côtes du Rhône AOC – the terroir, the grapes, winemaking, the domaines, etc. Since there are already many expert wine review sites, we will instead focus on the joy of living and discovering this magnificent area. In The Region section, we focus on the area’s geology, geography, and history like this article South of France and the French Riviera. Articles on French wine country life, discovery of artisans, and cultural events will be in the Joie de Vivre section.

Finally, our Trip Planning section goes into the nuts and bolts of trip planning. Check out our deep dive on Uzés, our favorite medieval village which makes an excellent base to discover the southern Rhône wineries.

Below is quick overview of the region, and we’ll go much deeper in future posts.

Rhône Wine Quality - Côtes du Rhône AOC

There is a complex hierarchy of wine classification in France known as the AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) system.

The Côtes du Rhone AOC covers a 150-mile area that starts south of Lyon, spans both sides of the Rhône River, and parts of 6 departéments: Ardéche, Drôme, Gard, Loire, Rhône, Vaucluse. Since the Gard is where our country house–a mas built in 1833 and formerly a postal relay is–I will share many discoveries from there.

Significantly, this French wine region encompasses two distinct areas – the Northern and Southern Rhône. At the generic Côtes du Rhône level, there are 171 communes involved in wine production. The Cotes du Rhone appellation has officially been in use since 1937. However, Tavel, the first rosé wine of France (which is considered a cru) has been an AOC since 1936.

According to Vins-Rhone.org, the trade association for the region, there are four tiers of classification. Each tier has graduating requirements specific to location, grape varieties, yield limits, alcohol content, and wine-making technique. See the wine hierarchy pyramid below.

Côtes du Rhône
Côtes du Rhône Villages
Côtes du Rhône (named) Villages
The Crus – although cru is not printed on the label – are referred to specifically by the region as in Gigondas or Tavel.

Complicating this further, there are regional appellations that fall into the Rhone Valley wine category but have separate AOCs such as Costières de Nîmes, Lubéron, and Grignan les Adhémar to list three.

We will explore these topics in future posts as we interview expert winemakers and people involved with the trade in France.

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Grapes Ripen

Grapes ripen on vines overlooking the river in Northern Rhône Saint Joseph AOC.

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Cotes du Rhone Pyramid

Côtes du Rhône wine appellations via Wine-Uncovered.com, a custom tour guide.

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Foudres

Two large oak barrels, or traditional foudres, in a wine cave.

Rhône Valley Wine Appellations Pyramid

The Côtes du Rhône AOC appellation stands as the foundation of this hierarchy. Wines carrying this label offer a glimpse of the regional character but may exhibit variations in quality. Most of these wines consist of blends of red grapes, primarily Grenache or Syrah, with a minimum alcohol level of 11%. Moreover, this category encompasses whites and rosés, categorized as vin de table, or table wines, and are best enjoyed within two to four years from their vintage.

Progressing through the hierarchy, we encounter the Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC classification, representing a higher tier in terms of quality and terroir specificity. These wines originate from 95 villages, each showcasing distinct characteristics and exceptional craftsmanship. For instance, a notable example is Côtes du Rhône Villages Saint-Gervais.

The Wine-Searcher.com resource provides an excellent overview of these subregional designations. A WINE TOURS GUYS PYRAMID

Further up the ladder, we find the Côtes du Rhône (named) Villages AOC category, consisting of 22 villages also referred to as “Côtes du Rhône Villages with geographical names.” Admittedly, this can be a bit perplexing, and I pledge to delve deeper into this topic in future posts, complete with images of labels.

Top of AOC pyramid - Crus - or Best Known Appellations

At the top of the pyramid, there are 17 distinctive “crus” of the Rhône Valley – 8 in the north and 9 in the south. Each expresses their terroir and is responsible for about 20% of the Rhône wine production. The term “cru” is not on their label as in other French wine regions.

Examples include:

Côte-Rôtie: Grown on steep, terraced vineyards, the reds include flavors of raspberry, truffles, violets, and chocolate.
Hermitage: Perhaps considered the most prestigious of the region, In part due to its long history as a favorite of French Kings. And, also due to its higher price resulting from the labor-intensive process of cultivating grapes on granite hillsides.
Gigondas: Offering bold and structured red wines, Gigondas is often considered a rival to Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Tavel: This appellation specializes in dry and vibrant rosé wines, some of the finest in the world.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape: Famous for its robust red blends, this appellation is known for producing wines of exceptional power and longevity.

We will explore all of these in a future post. I am also compiling a functional Côtes du Rhone wine map via Google Maps which I will soon publish on this page to further illustrate.

What about Domaines, AOP and IGP?

In the U.S. we identify wines first by grape, by region, and then by producer. For example: it’s a chardonnay from Napa, a Far Niente. I believe folks from the UK also similarly address wine.

Comparatively, in France the focus is on the region first, as it is the terroir that influences the wine, and then the domaine, the land within the control of a winemaker. For example, wine would be presented as “it’s a Bourgogne,” indicating it’s from the Burgundy region. Specifically in that French wine region, wines can be classified by “château,” which is a tradition that dates back to the time of nobility.

Complicating the challenges of identifying about French wine, we also see the AOP (appellation d’origine protégée ) classification on a wine label. Beginning in 2013, it was implemented to match the European Union’s system of classifying agricultural products.

Additionally, the Vins to Pays category of wines uses the IGP (indication géographique protégée ) label another EU classification system, for the wines that fall under the AOC categories. According to Wine-Searcher.com, This category focuses on geographical origin rather than style and tradition and gives winemakers greater stylistic freedom than AOC.

How to read a Cotes du Rhone wine label

To clarify, the team at Wine Folly has created this graphic to help decipher wine labels.

Grape Varieties ,Wine Types and Criteria for AOC

As the second largest wine region in France, behind Bordeaux, Côtes du Rhône produces predominantly red wine. However, white and rosé varieties as well as sparking and sweet dessert wines are also produced. According to Vins-Rhone.com, the US export market seems to be #2 in recognition of the region #2 in the import of these wines.

The most common red grape varieties include Grenache, Syrah (aka Shiraz), and Mourvèdre, (often abbreviated to GSM). These wines are known for their depth, complexity, and ability to age gracefully. However, there are up to 21 grape types allowed. In future posts, we will explore the grape varieties in depth.

To be considered part of the Côtes du Rhône appellation, wines must adhere to certain regulations and requirements set forth by the French AOC system. Requirements include the following, which we will explore in depth in future posts:

Geographic Location
Approved Grape Varieties
Yield Limits
Alcohol Content
Winemaking Techniques
Labeling

The Rhône Valley’s north-south divide is reflected in Côtes du Rhône wine styles. It is even taken into consideration in the official appellation laws. These stipulate that Grenache should comprise at least 40 percent of any red wine made south of Montelimar – the transition point between north to south. – Wine-Searcher.com

Southern France Wine Region - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What kind of wine is Côtes du Rhône? Wines in this region are most famous for red blends. However there are also white, and rosé wines, and all types can be affordable. They are meant to be enjoyed on release and are easy to pair with a variety of foods.
Are Rhône Valley wines good? Yes, Côtes du Rhône wines are generally well-regarded for their quality and diversity.
Can Rhône wines be dry or sweet? Côtes du Rhône wines are typically dry, especially the reds and whites, However, there are sweet wines: Beaumes de Venise or Muscat de Beaumes de Venise.
How affordable are wines from this appellation? While there are affordable options, Côtes du Rhône wines span a wide price range, offering choices for various budgets.
Where is the Cotes du Rhone? Located in the Rhône Valley, in Southern France, it stretches from Lyon to the southern city of Avignon, covering a diverse range of terroirs.

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