Côtes du Rhône Red Wine

If you are a red wine drinker looking for a smooth, fruity, medium bodied, dry wine that will not knock you over with bitter tannins, it is time you seriously considered trying Côtes du Rhône red wines.

The Côtes du Rhône region is a very large (86,000 acres) portion of the Rhône Valley of France. More than 5,000 producers, cooperatives and négociants produce Côtes du Rhône wine which is 67% of all the wine from the Rhône region

History of Côtes du Rhône

600 BC - Settled by Greeks and Romans

Some say the Greeks brought he Syrah grape from the Persian city of Shiraz. Others say that the Romans brought it and the Viognier grape. Extensive DNA typing and viticultural research has led scientists to conclude that Syrah originated in the Rhône region itself.

Medieval Times (1300s)

Pope Clement V, former Archbishop of Bordeaux, relocated the papacy to the town of Avignon in the Rhône valley. (Châteauneuf-du-Pape, also from the Rhône valley, literally translates to ‘The Pope’s new castle’) Côtes du Rhône wine was further refined during this timeframe

1730 - Louis XV Royal Decree

Louis XV’s royal edict decreed that each wine cask from this region be branded C.D.R. This became the first quality designation of France.

What makes a Côtes du Rhône?

Red wine makes up 89% of the wine produced in the Côtes du Rhône. Wine makers can blend up to 21 different grapes in the wine. The dominant grape for red wines must be Grenache Noir which by law has to make up at least 40% of the juice. It is common to also have Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, and Carignan. The wines are rich, with medium body and acid.

Tannins are usually low which makes them soft and easy to drink. They are usually ready to drink upon release. So, there is no need to store any away for several years to calm down tannins! They are generally between 11 – 13% Alcohol by Volume which is low enough to make them enjoyable with a wide variety of food. They are approachable for those just beginning to enjoy red wine, up to the most demanding ‘wine geek’. They are very affordable ($15 – $25/bottle).

How do I Choose a Côtes du Rhône?

It is best to find a producer whose wine you really enjoy as the region is so large your wine will not reflect a specific ‘regional’ taste. We recommend the following consistently excellent:

Beaucastel
Janasse
Rayas
Vidal Fleury
Clos du Caillou
Les Cailloux
Boislauzon
Vieux Telegraph Beaurenard
Perrin et Fils

Cotes du Rhone Wine and Food Pairing

Summer

Their full body and spicy taste make Côtes du Rhône wines the perfect match for grilled meats, chicken and veggies on the backyard barbecue Think Baby-back ribs by the campfire and do not forget the bacon-heavy baked beans and spicy deviled eggs!

Winter

In winter, they stand up well to stews, long slow cooked roasts of pork or lamb that may have a little fat and, of course, a rich wine sauce

International Dishes

Many classic international dishes make excellent matches including French Rabbit as well as Spanish and Portuguese regional dishes made with fish, potatoes and tomato sauces. Côtes du Rhône even pair well with Indian curry

American & British Food

Although these cuisines are usually difficult to pair with wine, they bring out the best in a Côtes du Rhône, endearing them to casual diners from these countries. You may enjoy a glass with a hamburger and fries, Mac n’Cheese, Shephard’s Pie, and strong cheeses

We reccomend that you try a Côtes du Rhône with whatever you are making tonight – and tomorrow night! You can learn more about red wine making and pairing by taking one of our classes!