Côtes du Rhône Wine Region

Located in the Rhône wine region of France, Côtes du Rhône is an AOC wine appellation. This appellation accounts for 50% of the valley’s production and delivers red, white, and rosé wines for wine lovers all around the world. Including more than 170 villages, this wine district is full of beautiful vineyards and sightseeing.

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History of Côtes du Rhône

Wines have been produced in the Rhône region since pre-Roman times, and those from the right bank were the favorite wines of kings. In the 17th century, Côte du Rhône published regulations to control the quality of its wine. In 1737, the king demanded that barrels of wine imported from the nearby river port of Roquemaure should be branded with the letters CDR (Côte du Rhône) to present a system of protecting its origin. This rule is the very early basis of today's nationwide AOC system governed by the INAO.

In the middle age, monasteries began to manage vineyards such as Châteauneuf, which was renamed Châteauneuf du Pape when the Popes used to spend their holidays there. It was a clear sign of recognition for the region.

The name was changed to Côtes du Rhône a hundred years later when the left bank was included in the appellation. The appellation received full recognition by a High Court decision in 1937. Its goal was to deliver a title for good quality Rhône wines from the valley's less prestigious viticultural areas.

Terroir of Côtes du Rhône

Côtes du Rhône is the second-largest appellation in France. Only Bordeaux has more hectares planted with vines. The entire region is about 44,000 hectares, with 31,926 hectares of vineyards.

In the northern part of Côtes du Rhône, the vineyards hug the riverbanks, and the climate is continental with hot summers and cold winters. The vines grow on steep slopes etched from the rocks of the Massif Central mountains.

The southern zone is mellower, more Mediterranean. The terroir is full of limestone soils; vines in this type of soil are somewhat unusual in the southern Côtes du Rhône.  Limestone terroirs give wines elegance and precision and are wonderful for whites.

Another type of soil that you will come across is sandy soil, which is a feature of the stone-covered hillsides and is planted with Grenache and Syrah to give light, fruity wines. Free-draining terraces of smooth, rounded stones produce velvety wines with plenty of ripe fruit and a touch of spice.

Grape varieties and wine characteristics

The main grape varieties for Red and rosé wines are Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Carignane, Counoise and Mourvèdre. Producers can use a maximum of 20% white varieties for rosés. All reds grown south of Montélimar must contain a minimum of 40% Grenache and up to 5% white grapes. Any red wine from Côtes du Rhône appellation must contain a minimum of 15% Syrah or Mourvedre. The whites must contain a minimum blend of 80% Clairette, Grenache blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Bourboulenc, and Viognier.

Wines from Côtes du Rhône are easy-drinking that are perfect for every day. The white mixes and rosés are equally delicious, even if a little more challenging to find. The typical white Côtes du Rhône Blanc is full-bodied, with notes of candied citrus fruits, acacia, herbs, straw, wax, and possibly a hint of honey.

Food to pair with Côtes du Rhône wine

Roquefort

Roquefort is a famous cheese from France, made from full-fat, unpasteurized sheep's milk. It has blue veins dispersed throughout its body, developed from the spores of Penicillium Roqueforti before the cheese is pressed.

It is so tasty and valued that it was a choice of Emperor Charlemagne, and it is locally named the 'cheese of kings and popes'. Roquefort has a sticky rind on the surface, while on the inside it is crumbly and creamy, tangy, intense, complex, sharp, and salty in terms of flavor, with a white paste marbled with blue mold.

It must develop for at least 5 months in shelters in the south of France. While high in fat and salt content, it is also health-beneficial, as it is proven that it has unique anti-inflammatory properties. Roquefort pairs well with figs, nuts, sweet white, and powerful Côtes du Rhône red wines.

Tournedos Rossini

Tournedos Rossini is a staple of classic French cuisine. It was created in honor of the legendary composer Gioacchino Rossini. The actual recipe is rich, elegant, and uses only the finest ingredients available: 2 pieces of beef tenderloin placed on round pieces of toasted sourdough bread, well decorated with briefly sautéed foie gras and cuts of black Périgord truffle.

Just before the dish is served, it is finished with a Madeira demi-glace sauce. The best wine for the dressing is Verdelho, a medium-dry wine. The suggested drink to accompany this luxurious dish is a Côtes du Rhône wine.

Porc aux pruneaux

Porc aux pruneaux is a French classic dish. The food consists of roast pork with prunes that contain wine. There are multiple versions of the dish, so pork chops, tenderloin, or pork shoulder can be used in the preparation. Other specific components include shallots, lemon juice, mustard, thyme, rosemary, allspice, and bay leaves.

This robust dish is usually served with bread, mashed potatoes, or roasted potatoes. It is recommended to taste the dish with Côtes du Rhône white wine.

Places to visit near Côtes du Rhône

Carpentras

Carpentras was a retail site used by Greek traders in old times and known to Romans at first as Carpentoracte Meminorum, mentioned by Pliny. The city maintains an impressive Roman triumphal arch that has been surrounded by the bishops' palace, rebuilt in 1640, now a law court, and a city gate, the Porte d'Orange.

Until 1791, Carpentras was part of the Papal States, not of the Kingdom of France. Like most districts across France, Carpentras played a role in the 1789-1799 French Revolution, especially during the rule of the French Directory. Discover Carpentras and take advantage of our advice on places to visit in Côtes du Rhône.

Palais des Papes

Palais des Papes is one of the biggest and most significant medieval Gothic structures in Europe. Once a fortress and palace, the papal place was the center of Western Christianity during the 14th century. Six papal conclaves were carried in the Palais, leading to the elections of Benedict XII in 1334, and Benedict XIII in 1394. Since 1995, the Palais des Papes has been ranked, along with the historic center of Avignon, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for its outstanding architecture and historical importance for the Papacy.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Côtes du Rhône