A vast heritage, the vines of the extensive Côtes-du-Rhône AOC follow the meandering Rhône River making recognisable wines, renowned the world over.
© Bernard Favre
A heritage of OVER two thousand years!
The first traces of the vine in the Rhone Valley date back to two centuries before Jesus Christ!
At that time, the Romans colonised the region and discovered its viticultural potential. They founded many towns, planted vines, developed the vineyards and even built the largest known wine-making centre in antiquity!
In the Middle Ages it was the Popes, then in exile in Avignon, who revived viticulture in the region, contributing to the rise in quality and reputation of the wines produced there. Since then, although the Popes returned to Rome, Côtes-du-Rhône continues to supply the greatest tables in the world, and to accompany all drinking occasions, from festive meals to casually watching football matches with some mates.
A soil predisposed to the cultivation of vines
Côtes-du-Rhône owes its success to a mosaic of particularly rich terroirs, benefiting from ideal climatic conditions.
The Mistral, for example, by chasing away the clouds and cradling the vines, dries and cleanses them naturally, thus limiting human intervention. It is a blessing for those who know how to tame it, just like the amount of sunshine which guarantees the ripeness of the grapes.
All types of terroirs can be found along the 200 kilometres of the appellation, allowing the production of wines with different profiles, in red, white and rosé, making Côtes-du-Rhône a safe bet in terms of food/wine pairing.
©Christophe Grilhé
©Christophe Grilhé
World-renowned expertise
These predispositions would be nothing without the hard work of the winemakers and merchants who continue to build on this fine heritage. Their know-how is unanimously recognised and continues to inspire generations of professionals throughout the world.
The blending of grape varieties, in particular, is a local speciality which allows oenologists to express themselves with an incredibly wide aromatic palette.
And we can see why! In all, 21 grape varieties are grown in the appellation, including Syrah, Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne, all native to the region.
These blends have inspired many vineyards in the new world, where the expression "Rhône Blend" is used to designate wines of Rhône inspiration. A beautiful tribute!
The country whose wine route is a river
If you want to follow the wine route of the appellation, you will have to follow the Rhône to link all the 171 production communes that make up the AOC.
A real link between the different terroirs of the valley, the river has shaped the relief of the Côtes-du-Rhône over the millennia, and deposited its alluvial deposits over 200 kilometres from Vienne to Avignon, revealing landscapes that invite you to travel and contemplate.
A long and beautiful journey to discover wines and their history! For a taste of what awaits you, Vinatis offers you a wide range of wines from both small producers and the most famous vineyards.
Assistance
Follow us
Location
You are on the shop Great Britain
Alcohol abuse is bad for your health, please consume in moderation.
© 2002-2025 VINATIS
