Côtes du Rhône Villages
Styles
Principal grape varieties
BourboulencClairette (Clairette Blanche)Grenache Blanc (Garnacha Blanca)MarsanneRoussanneViognierGrenache (Garnacha Tinta)Mourvèdre (Monastrell)Syrah
Accessory grape varieties
Clairette RoseGrenache Gris (Garnacha Roja)Piquepoul BlancUgni Blanc (Trebbiano Toscano)Brun ArgentéCarignanCinsautCounoiseMuscardinPiquepoul NoirTerret Noir
Varieties of interest
Terroir
Natural factors
- 95 communes across 4 departments (Ardèche, Drôme, Gard, Vaucluse), on both the western and eastern banks of the Rhône
- The Mistral blows for approximately 120 days per year: a desiccating wind that clears the skies, delivering over 2,500 hours of sunshine annually, amplified by the Venturi effect of the Rhône corridor
Human factors
- Planting restrictions dating back to 1615, along with an annual harvest ban ('ban des vendanges'), were established to ensure full grape ripeness.
Product characteristics
- Full, generous reds and rosés, with ageing potential varying by soil type: lighter on sandy soils, richer and more tannic on stony and clay-dominant soils.
- Whites are round on the palate, with notes of spice and vanilla; reds and rosés dominate, accounting for 98% of total production.
Terroir / wine link
- The Mistral, a powerful, cold, and dry wind, protects the vines from fungal diseases and promotes grape ripeness.
Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.
Dénominations géographiques complémentaires
- Côtes du Rhône Villages Chusclan AOC
- Côtes du Rhône Villages Gadagne AOC
- Côtes du Rhône Villages Massif d'Uchaux AOC
- Côtes du Rhône Villages Nyons AOC
- Côtes du Rhône Villages Plan de Dieu AOC
- Côtes du Rhône Villages Puyméras AOC
- Côtes du Rhône Villages Roaix AOC
- Côtes du Rhône Villages Rochegude AOC
- Côtes du Rhône Villages Rousset-les-Vignes AOC
- Côtes du Rhône Villages Sablet AOC
- Côtes du Rhône Villages Saint-Andéol AOC
- Côtes du Rhône Villages Saint-Gervais AOC
- Côtes du Rhône Villages Saint-Maurice AOC
- Côtes du Rhône Villages Saint-Pantaléon-les-Vignes AOC
- Côtes du Rhône Villages Sainte-Cécile AOC
- Côtes du Rhône Villages Signargues AOC
- Côtes du Rhône Villages Suze-la-Rousse AOC
- Côtes du Rhône Villages Séguret AOC
- Côtes du Rhône Villages Vaison-la-Romaine AOC
- Côtes du Rhône Villages Valréas AOC
- Côtes du Rhône Villages Visan AOC
Sources
- Product specification (BO Agri, PDF), JORF 23 novembre 2024
- Official INAO text (show_texte)
- INAO product entry
- Official trade body site — Inter Rhône