Côtes du Rhône wine region

The Côtes du Rhône is considered to be the oldest wine-growing region in France. It is located between Vienne and Avignon in the Rhône Valley south of Lyon. In the wine-growing region, full-bodied and soft red wines dominate without any special requirements, with the better locations being increasingly highlighted.

An overview of the Côtes du Rhône wine region

The center of the wine-growing region is around Avignon and Orange. Red wines make up over 90% of the total production, but a few wineries have also dedicated themselves entirely to white wine. Most of the red wines are dry, with the exception of the sweet wines from the Beaumes-de-Venise. About three quarters of all wines from the Côtes du Rhône come from wine cooperatives.

Different climate zones as success factors for viticulture

The Côtes du Rhône lies between different climate zones in the north and south. While continental influences dominate in the north with cold winters and very hot summers, the southern part has a Mediterranean climate with milder winters and higher humidity. Depending on the location, there are between 1900 and 2800 hours of sunshine a year; the Côtes du Rhône holds the record for the most hours of sunshine in all of France.

Intense sunshine during the warm season favors the development and ripening of the vines. At the same time, the outbreak of diseases is prevented. Above all, the Mistral should be mentioned, which is said to have a healing effect on the vineyards in the Rhône Valley. It drives away the clouds, thereby ensuring a special incidence of light and lowering the temperatures in spring. Although the grape harvest can be a little smaller in some vintages, this means that the quality of the wines remains the same.

The variety of soils in the Côtes du Rhône wine-growing region

The Côtes du Rhône is characterized by the great variety of different soils on which the vines can develop. The Rhône Valley was created between the Massif Central and the Alps. While the Massif Central is mainly made up of granite and rocky outcrops, the left bank is made up of flat slopes and hills. The slopes are supplied with deposits such as pebbles by the alluvial deposits on the river. The cultivated areas in the Côtes du Rhône are composed like a mosaic. A basic distinction is made between the northern and southern growing areas with sandy and gravel soils. The most important grape varieties in the Côtes du Rhône The grape varieties most commonly grown in the Côtes du Rhône include Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre for the red wines, from which cuvées are mainly made. A special feature is that white grape varieties are also used in the red wine cuvées. Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier, among others, are cultivated for the production of white wines. The production of particularly high-quality wines is favored by a yield limit of 51 hectoliters per hectare.

The red wines usually have a tart, fruity character, although there are also full-bodied varieties such as the Châteauneuf du Pape or Crozes-Hermitage wines . The white wines, which are mainly produced in the south, have a flowery, fragrant bouquet and are the perfect accompaniment for a warm summer evening. The rosés are also loved for their aromatic scents. Despite all the characteristics, it must be pointed out at this point that there is no such thing as a typical Rhône wine.

The classification of the wines according to the AOC seal

Since 1967, when the first municipality from the Côtes du Rhône region received approval for the AOC seal, there are now almost 100 municipalities that are allowed to publish their municipality name on the label (e.g. Sablet, Séguret, Vaison-la-Romaine , Visan).

The wines are classified into two categories:

• Côtes du Rhône-Villages
• Côtes du Rhône-Villages

In the Côtes du Rhône, a total of 24 grape varieties are permitted for quality wine cultivation.

Wine-growing has a millennia-old tradition on the Côtes du Rhône

The Romans already cultivated wine 2000 years ago. The Rhône Valley has always been a very privileged trade route because it provided the shortest connection between the Mediterranean Sea and the northern climes. The wines could also be transported over longer distances via this route, so that the Rhône Valley became particularly relevant for the wine trade. The first wine-growing region in France was created here. When the Greeks arrived in the Rhone Valley, they brought vines from the Mediterranean with them and planted them in large quantities. In addition, valuable knowledge about viticulture came to the Côtes du Rhône.