From the Etruscans to today’s winemakers, the Rhône Valley has long been a centre of French winemaking. Stretching nearly 250 kilometres from the Massif Central south towards the Mediterranean, this region is home to some of France’s most outstanding wines. They’re even good enough for a pope—Avignon, the capital of the Côtes du Rhône, was briefly the seat of the papacy!

Above all, the Côtes du Rhône are known for their red wines. In the Côtes du Rhône appellation, red wines make up 84% of total production, and this figure is even higher in the Côtes du Rhône Villages. A unique combination of factors makes red wines from the Côtes du Rhône and the Côtes du Rhône Villages exceptionally diverse and versatile, all while delivering the quality promised by an appellation d’origine contrôlée.

The rules of the AOC regulate the grape varietals used. In the Côtes du Rhône appellation, 23 are allowed. Most of these are used to produce red wines—Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah being the most common. Often used together in blends, each variety brings unique characteristics, resulting in a diverse selection of wines. Grenache brings fruit flavours and a touch a warmth; Mourvèdre and Syrah add colour, structure and tantalizing notes of spice. This allows winemakers to create a kaleidoscope of red wines.

The rich terroirs of the Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages also play a role in creating this kaleidoscope. The appellation’s climate is fairly uniform—hot summers, little rain, the bracing Mistral wind—but its soils vary widely. Grapes grown in gravelly soil tend to produce fleshy wines with high alcohol content that age well, while the limestone and sand in the south result in fresh, fruitier wines with less alcohol. Under the influence of clay, Côte du Rhône reds are intensely coloured and aromatic, with good tannins.

This interplay of several factors is what makes red wines from the Côtes du Rhône region so special. To take just one example, wines made with Mourvèdre and Grenache can be strongly influenced by the garrigue—the fragrant vegetation that grows on limestone slopes close to the Mediterranean. Juniper, lavender, thyme and rosemary provide a heady combination of herby notes and floral aromas. From the traditional and full-bodied to the fruity and refreshing, there’s a Côtes du Rhône red wine for every taste and occasion.  

Just look at all the ways these wines can be enjoyed. Generally fruity and silky, they pair well with aromatic dishes—beyond that, they’re very versatile. For something casual, serve a red wine from the Côtes du Rhône AOC with an unconventional club sandwich (think: charcuterie and a bold cheese), or embrace barbecue season and pair it with some saucy pork spareribs. For dessert, the fruity bouquet of a blackberry macaron would be a great match for a red wine from this AOC. In the Côtes du Rhône Villages, generous, elegant reds pair well with the full flavours of stews and stuffed vegetables. If an aperitif is what’s called for, you can’t go wrong with a blend from the Côtes du Rhône—they’re delightfully fresh and aromatic. And from the southern parts of the appellation, you can find light, low-tannin reds ideal for sipping.

Many different factors come together in perfect harmony to make red wines from the Côtes du Rhône a unique sensory experience. This is one of this appellation’s greatest strengths: exceptional diversity backed up by quality. Thankfully for consumers, this diversity also extends to pricing. This selection of red wines from the Côtes du Rhône appellation and the Côtes du Rhône Villages captures the many nuances of this region at prices accessible to all wine lovers.