AOC Côtes du Rhône Village

History of the AOC Côtes du Rhône Villages Appellation

The AOC Côtes du Rhône Villages represents the uniqueness of numerous terroirs in the Rhône Valley. This diverse vineyard has built a solid reputation over the centuries, thanks to wines characterized by their quality and typicity. This appellation is renowned for wines from distinct villages such as Laudun, Plan-de-Dieu, Visan, and Séguret, each contributing its unique character.

Climate and Terroir of the AOC Côtes du Rhône Villages Appellation

Climate: The Mediterranean climate of the region, characterized by hot summers and mild winters, is ideal for vine cultivation. This climate contributes to the optimal ripeness of the grapes.

Soils: The soils of the AOC Côtes du Rhône Villages are varied, ranging from rolled pebbles to clay and limestone, providing a wide range of nuances in the wines.

Grape Varieties of the AOC Côtes du Rhône Villages

The AOC Côtes du Rhône Villages offers a variety of red, white, and rosé wines often made from a blend of several grape varieties, including:

• Clairette (white wine)
• Grenache Blanc (white wine)
• Roussanne (white wine)
• Marsanne (white wine)
• Viognier (white wine)
• Grenache (red and rosé wine)
• Syrah (red and rosé wine)
• Mourvèdre (red and rosé wine)
• Cinsault (red and rosé wine)
• Carignan (red and rosé wine)
• Counoise (red and rosé wine)

Style of AOC Côtes du Rhône Villages Wines

Red Wine: The red wines exhibit a garnet red color with purple highlights. The bouquet offers aromas of black fruits, stewed red fruits, garrigue (wild Mediterranean scrubland), spices, and a hint of pepper. On the palate, they are generally full-bodied, well-structured, with silky tannins.

White Wine: The white wines of AOC Côtes du Rhône Villages have a light straw-yellow color. Their nose is marked by aromas of white flowers, white-fleshed fruits (such as vineyard peach), and a touch of citrus. On the palate, they are fresh and balanced with a nice roundness.

Rosé Wine: The rosés are appealing with their luminous pale pink hue and scents of fresh red fruits and flowers. The palate is lively, light, and offers pleasant freshness.

The Best Food Pairings with AOC Côtes du Rhône Villages Wines

Here is our guide to the best food pairings with a bottle of wine from a domain or château in AOC Côtes du Rhône Villages, be it white, rosé, or red:

Red Wine:

• Leg of lamb
• Donkey sausage
• Barbecue grilled meats

Rosé Wine:

• Tapas
• Piperade (Basque pepper stew)
• Green tapenade

White Wine:

• Baked sea bream
• Rabbit with mustard
• Monkfish curry