The Rhone River runs north to south beside some of France’s best vineyards. For years, wines from the Cotes du Rhone region along its southern banks have been flying under the radar of many wine lovers who are seeking examples of unique character and exceptional value.
Grenache is the Main Southern Rhone Grape
The regional Cotes du Rhone (COAT do RONE) wines are the core wines of the area. They represent thousands of wine growers and more acreage than any other wine of this type. Like most red Cotes du Rhone wines, the regional varieties are made predominately from the Grenache grape and may be blended with Syrah and one or two other grapes. These wines are produced in a range of styles from light and fruity to supple and elegant. Although red wines make up the largest share of the appellation (the name for a distinctive wine growing area), the white wines are also worth a try. Any bottle labeled simply “Cotes du Rhone” will provide a tasty, comfort wine at an affordable price.
The Cotes du Rhone Village Wines
Sixteen Cotes du Rhone varieties are allowed to cite the name of their home village on the label. Unlike the regional wines, village varieties are subjected to rigorous production criteria, including lower maximum yields from the Grenache vines for more concentrated flavor. Growers and winemakers in these tightly defined and regulated areas create wines a step above the regional selections in quality. Though more expensive than those wines, they are good values nonetheless. Such wines will display either “Cotes du Rhone Villages” on the label, or simply the village where it was grown, such as Rasteau, Sablet, or Seguret.
Cotes du Rhone Cru Wines Offer Quality and Character
Also worth mentioning are the cru wines, offering a higher level of quality (and price) than village and regional wines, but often compared favorably in quality to more expensive wines from the popular Bordeaux and Burgundy regions of France. What is special about these thirteen wines (five of which are in the southern Rhone) is that each has their own distinct character and unique flavors from different growing conditions and blends. Cru wines tend to be fuller-bodied than other Cotes du Rhone offerings and subsist in their very own appellations. Examples are Chateauneuf du Pape, Gigondas, and Vacqueyras. Notably, the latter two examples were once categorized as village wines before they were deemed worthy of an appellation designation.
Overall, a good Cotes du Rhone will offer flavors and aromas of blackberry, raspberry, and pepper, in a full-bodied style that is meant to be consumed within a few years of the vintage. They will match well with stews, steak, hamburgers, chili, and meatloaf. Wines from the northern Rhone are excellent representations of the Syrah grape but typically fetch steep prices. So, for a combination of quality, variety, and affordability, it’s worth paying a visit to the southern Rhone section of the local wine store.
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