The appellation of Côtes du Rhône encompasses much of the land of the area, not to mention much of the wine – over two-thirds of the wine produced here is of the Côtes-du-Rhône appellation. Wines here need only be from the Côtes de Rhône geographic area (which is fairly large) and consist of one or more of the 22 varieties permitted. Being such a wide classification, it's a surprise and joy that so many of these wines reach such a high quality. While there are areas in the Northern Rhône that meet the classification of Côtes du Rhône, most all of this appellation is in the Southern Rhône. Wines here are based mostly on Grenache, like other Rhône reds, while the whites focus on Marsanne and Roussanne. Viognier is also allowed although typically used in smaller quantities.
Notable Facts:
There is one higher level in the Côtes du Rhône called Côtes du Rhône Villages. These wines are from specific village areas that have a few more standards the wine must reach to receive the village label. Some to take note of are Cairanne, Rasteau, Seguret and Beaumes-de-Venise. The good thing about both Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages is that big producers of the smaller appellations are taking the opportunity and freedom offered by this broad appellation and creating wines of very high quality, and lower in price.
About France - Rhône:
Photo from the Cornas vineyards of Jean-Luc Colombo overlooking the Rhne river The Rhne is separated into two parts, the Northern Rhne and the Southern Rhne. The two are vastly different. The Northern Rhne is steep and cool while the Southern Rhne is flat and hot.
Northern Rhne stretches from Vienne to Valence and contains the regions of Cte-Rotie, Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Cornas, Condrieu, Chteau Grillet, St.-Joseph & St.-Peray. The red wines are easy to remember – they are all made from Syrah. The one and only red grape of the region. Whites are typically Viognier, although some Marsanne & Roussanne can be added in certain regions.
Southern Rhne is about 60 miles south of the Northern Rhne and there are almost no vineyards in-between. The Southern Rhne area contains the appellations of Chteauneuf-du-Pape, Tavel, Gigondas, Vacqueras, and the best known, the Ctes-du-Rhne. While Syrah is the main, and only, player in the North, the South has a slew of red varieties to use. 23 grapes (white and red) in all. Grenache is usually the primary grape in the blend, followed by Mourvdre, Syrah and Cinsault.
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