Côtes du Rhône AOC is a French wine appellation covering a large area in France's Rhône Valley. The wines come in red, white, and rosé styles, typically made from Grenache grapes, with an alcohol content of at least 11%.
History
Wine production in the Rhône region began before Roman times. During the schism, the right-bank wines were preferred by royalty and the papal community in Avignon. In the mid-17th century, the right-bank area of Côte du Rhône created quality control regulations. In 1737, the king required casks shipped from Roquemaure to be marked with 'CDR' to protect the origin. These rules formed the foundation of the modern AOC system. The appellation received full recognition in 1937.
How it is made
The general Côtes du Rhône region extends 200 km from Vienne in the north to Avignon in the south, spanning 171 communes across multiple departments. The average yield is 52 hectoliters per hectare. Red and rosé wines are mainly made from Grenache noir, Syrah, Cinsault, Carignane, Counoise, and Mourvèdre. Reds must contain at least 40% Grenache south of Montélimar and 15% Syrah and/or Mourvèdre throughout the region. Whites are primarily made from Clairette, Grenache blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Bourboulenc, and Viognier.
Types and styles
The appellation has several quality levels. Côtes du Rhône-Villages comes from 95 authorized communes with a minimum alcohol content of 12%. Eighteen of these villages can display their name on the label. The highest level includes 17 crus that can be identified by their village name without mentioning Côtes du Rhône. The region also features notable styles like Tavel, a light dry rosé, and Condrieu, a rare white wine made entirely from Viognier.
How it is served
Côtes du Rhône red wines pair well with game and hearty meat dishes. The whites range from dry with citrus notes to fuller wines suitable as aperitifs. Tavel rosé is typically served chilled. The wines are available through various producers, including cooperative wineries and independent producers, with some offering estate-bottled versions.
Kinds of Côtes du Rhône AOC
Other styles
- Gigondas AOC
- Beaumes de Venise AOC