The Rhône wine region develops from Vienne, a town just south of Lyon, to Avignon, with a total lenght of 125 miles. It is a long narrow area which develops on both banks of the Rhône river situated close to the South-East corner of France. It has been, together with Provence, the first region to produce wine in France and, like in all other regions of France, the vineyards have been developed by the Romans. Also in Côtes du Rhône, like in the Loire Valley and several other areas of Europe, the care of vineyards in the Middle Age has been taken by the monks, which in several cases gave to the wines the names that they have nowdays. The production of Côtes du Rhône is enormous and represents the 14% of French wine production. In fact every year 450 million bottles are produced.The range of wines produced in this region varies for full-bodied reds such as Châteauneuf du Pape to rosé wines of Travel to the white wines of Château Grillet. Neverthless, the reputation of the Rhône wines has been built up on a small number of leading growths, in particular Châteauneuf du Pape, Hermitage, Côte Rôtie and Tavel. The reds wines, which mainly come from Vaucluse department, can be a blend of 16 permitted grapes: these wines can vary considerably in quality and style, going from a fruity, light-bodied red to a tannic, full-bodied wine which requires some ageing before being ready for the palate. The Rhône vineyards split geographically into three groups: the first area, just south of Vienne, with the famous granitic terraces of Côte Rôtie (red wines), Condrieu and Château Grillet (both white). Just 30 miles further down come Hermitage, Crozes Hermitage, Cornas, St Joseph and St Péray. Then south, are the sandier slopes of Dréme, Gard and Vaucluse, which produce the bulk of the region's output, embracing Chvteauneuf du Pape,Gigondas, Côtes du Ventoux, Lirac, Tavel and the communes of the Côtes du Rhône Villages. The great northern reds are mainly produced from Syrah grape, and the southern ones, even though originate from mixed varieties, are firmly centred on Grenache. Blends in this region are very popular. It can be a surprise to discover that the most famous red wine from Côtes du Rhône, Châteauneuf du Pape, is made with 13 different varieties. The total volume of white wine in this region is relatively small: in fact over 75% of Côtes du Rhône wines are red. Anyway, the best conditions needed to ensure lightness and freshness in white wines are available in the North. Red wines coming from this hot and sunny wine region of France are generally full-bodied and high in alcohol content.

The most famous appelations of Côtes du Rhône are:

Appellation Côte Rôtie Controlée
Appellation Condrieu Controlée
Appellation Château Grillet Controlée
Appellation Hermitage Controlée
Appellation Crozes Hermitage Controlée
Appellation Gigondas Controlée
Appellation Châteauneuf du Pape Controlée
Appellation Côtes du Ventoux Controlée
Appellation Côtes du Rhône Controlée
Appellation Côtes du Rhône Villages Controlée

Côtes du Rhône wine region Informations:

Location:

In the Rhône valley, from Vienne to Avignon. Develop on 6 French departments: Rhône, Loire, Ardéche, Dréme, Gard and Vaucluse.

Population: 2,500,000

Main Cities: Lyon (1,300,000)

Weather:

Continental with cold winters and hot summers in the northern part of the region.
Mediterranean with mild winters and hot summers in the southern part of the region.

Size of the vineyards: 70,000 hectares (170,000 acres)

Producers: 9000

Production:

450 million bottles (14% of French wine)
77% red wine - 8 % rosé - 5 % dry white wine

Grapes cultivated:

Red:

Grenache 55%
Syrah 15%
Carignan 15%
Mourvèdre

White:

Clairette 35%
Grenache blanc 20%
Ugni blanc 20%
Bourboulenc
Marsanne
Roussanne
Viognier

Type of Wine produced:

NORTH:

Dry full-bodied white wine
Full-bodied red wine

SOUTH:

Light to medium-bodied fruity red wine