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Côte du Rhône
The wines of Côtes du
Rhône are full-bodied with vigor and warmth. They have a rich
bouquet and a luscious taste.
The principal Côtes du
Rhône wines come from: COTE-ROTIE, CONDRIEU, HERMTAGE, CORNAS,
SAINT-PEAY, LIRAC, TAVEL and CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE.
The Rhône wine region is first divided into north and south.
The north is famous for its syrah based reds and its pure
viognier whites. The south is most famous for Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Northern Rhône
Syrah is the only red grape variety allowed in these wines.
Some, however, have some white mixed in. The only white grape
varieties in the north are viognier, marsanne, and roussanne.
Marsanne and roussanne are used for the whites in Crozes,
Hermitage, Saint Joseph and Saint Peray.
From north to south the appellations are:
- Côte-Rôtie AOC - reds with syrah and up to 20%
viognier.
- Condrieu AOC - whites with only viognier.
- Château-Grillet AOC - whites with only viognier.
- Saint-Joseph AOC - reds with syrah and up to 10% ~ 15%
marsanne and roussanne, whites with only marsanne and
roussanne
- Crozes-Hermitage AOC - reds with syrah and up to 10% ~
15% marsanne and roussanne, whites with only marsanne and
roussanne
- Hermitage AOC - reds with syrah and up to 10% ~ 15%
marsanne and roussanne, whites with only marsanne and
roussanne
- Cornas AOC - reds with only syrah
- Saint-Péray AOC - whites with only marsanne and
roussanne
Southern Rhône
- Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC has 13 legal varieties, and
the surrounding areas,
- Coteaux du Tricastin AOC,
- Côtes du Ventoux AOC,
- Côtes du Vivarais AOC,
- Lirac AOC.
- Tavel AOC
- Vacqueyras AOC.
- Gigondas AOC is predominantly made from Grenache Noir
and is more restricted in the other grapes it can use.
Fortified wines (vin doux naturel) are made in the
Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise AOC and Rasteau AOCs.
Côtes du Rhône
Côtes du Rhône AOC is an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée that
covers both the northern and southern sections of the valley.
Typically it is only used if the wine does not qualify for a
more prestigious appellation. Produce from vineyards surrounding
certain villages may be labeled Côtes du Rhône-Villages AOC Côtes du Rhône-Villages AOC.
Other appellations
Other appellations falling outside the main Rhône area in
terms of wine styles but administratively within it are
Clairette de Die AOC, Coteaux de Pierrevert AOC and Côtes du
Luberon AOC. These are more similar to Provence wines.
The wine of Châteauneuf-de-Pape is outstanding and the pink wine of Tavel is
justly famous as one of the very best rosés produced anywhere in
the world.
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