Is Côtes du Rhône a good wine?

There are a wide range of different winemaking regions across the world, all committed to producing great quality wines for drinking and storage. Many of these can be found in France, with Côtes du Rhône located to the coastal south. In this post, we’ll be delving into wines from this region so you can ascertain whether or not they are a good choice for personal and corporate gifting, or to enjoy personally among friends.

How to judge a Côtes du Rhône wine

When considering the quality of a Côtes du Rhône wine, there are four levels that have been established to help group wines. These are:

• Côtes du Rhône AOC – widely considered an ‘entry-level’ easy drinking wine, this classification makes up roughly 50% of the wines produced by the region.
• Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC – these wines are generally better suited to collectors and other enthusiasts, as most bottles can be aged well. They also tend to have more complex tasting notes and a higher alcohol content than Côtes du Rhône AOC wines.
• Côtes du Rhône Named Villages AOC – across the Côtes du Rhône region, there are a set number of villages that have been granted permission to declare their names on bottles produced nearby. This is designed to showcase villages that have proven their wines to have high quality and a unique character. Due to the time it takes to gain a reputation for consistent quality, many of these villages have been producing fine red and fine white wine for decades.
• The Crus – the term ’cru’ is often given to exceptionally high quality vineyards. It’s estimated that the crus in Côtes du Rhône are responsible for producing around 20% of the wines from the region. We are incredibly proud to be able to offer the stunning White Chateaneuf Du pape Grenache fine wine, which is defined by fresh and full flavours.

Characteristics of quality wines from Côtes du Rhône

Being the second largest appellation in France, there is a fantastic variety when it comes to Côtes du Rhône wine. Most reds will feature Grenache, Syrah, and Morvèdre grapes as they are easily grown in the warm conditions. This contributes to a strong structure and intense colour, along with notes of spice and chocolate. Meanwhile, white wines are typically made using Clairette, Grenache blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Bourboulenc, and Viognier grapes.

The range of flavours, textures, and appearance makes Côtes du Rhône fine wine particularly well suited to corporate wine gifts. By including one or two bottles in wooden wine gift boxes for example, you’ll be going the extra mile for the people that have helped get your business to where it is. Read ‘What are the benefits of branded corporate gifts?’ for more insights.

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In conclusion, fine wines from the Côtes du Rhône region are usually of an excellent quality. These wines are considered ‘early-drinking’ wines, with a good range of tastes at reasonable prices. The wines don’t require ageing to be enjoyed, so this makes many wines from Côtes du Rhône perfect for gifting for events or to mark occasions. Get in touch with one of our specialists if you have any questions about our fine wine range.