Why Is The Côtes du Rhône Perfect For Any Occasion?

Côtes du Rhône wines are some of the most food-friendly wines out there. They are versatile and can be paired with a variety of different dishes. 

Whether you’re looking for a wine to pair with a light summer dish or a hearty winter meal, a Côtes du Rhône wine is sure to please. 

Fortunately, the Côtes du Rhône reservoir never runs out of water. The wine region never gets tired of offering diversity and bounty in addition to matching flexibility, making it ideal for any occasion, cuisine, mood, etc.

Here is a guide to Côtes du Rhône for wine collectors in the UK: 

Colour

Let’s begin with the hues. Although Côtes du Rhône is most known for its red wines, white and rosé versions are becoming more common. Any retail space, including a well-stocked wine aisle in a supermarket, makes it simple to find the reds. 

In addition, reds from the Côtes du Rhône usually have silky tannins, juicy fruit, and subtle spice aromas that seem like they should come from a more expensive bottle, making them effortlessly approachable.

It’s important to try white wines from the Côtes du Rhône. Those who enjoy white wine but are becoming a little tired of buttery Chardonnay or lemony Pinot Grigio should look for them. 

They are a veritable gold mine of complexity due to the variety of aromas winemakers gather in the Côtes du Rhône and apply — like true artisans — to the final blend. 

In contrast to the one-note melodies, Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio produced at the same price point, white wine blends from the Côtes du Rhône are symphonic.

Côtes du Rhône rosés are similarly poetic and expertly created with food and pairing in mind. 

Major Côtes du Rhône blending grapes like Grenache and Mourvèdre profit from a Mediterranean climate, but Côtes du Rhône rosés are frequently a little fuller, rounder, and darker than the typical light-hued Provencal rosé, making them more flexible in the pairing — capable of responding to richer dishes, darker proteins, heavier levels of spice and seasoning.

Varieties & Combinations

Suppose you had to summarise it in a formula. In that case, you might say something like this while talking at a dinner party with glasses clinking: It takes legendary expertise for Côtes du Rhône winemakers to blend the three well-known red grapes Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. 

Although winemakers may also add one of the other 20 allowed grapes, these grapes make up the majority of a Côtes du Rhône red blend. This combination of 23 grape varietals determines the ultimate flavour of a Côtes du Rhône wine. It is undoubtedly an artistic medium.

Each of Its Personas & Identities

An appellation is Côtes du Rhône, subdivided into a smaller appellation and a smaller appellation. Another fascinating fact to bring up at a dinner party is this one. 

In addition to further winery information, the labels for wines from the largest appellation, “Côtes du Rhône,” declare “Côtes du Rhône.” Fewer villages adhering to stricter production guidelines make up the second-largest appellation, “Côtes du Rhônes Settlements.”

Some villages are allowed to add their names to the label under the Côtes du Rhône Villages extra tier. 

The production here is the most terroir-driven in the region. The names of only 22 communities can be found on the bottle. 

That suggests both the highest production standards were followed in the wine’s development and the highly expressive and passionate nature of the appellation’s winemakers.

Any bottle from this appellation will be unique and exhibit superb blending techniques; the fun part is choosing which one you prefer.

The Finest Companion for Côtes du Rhône is Food

Wines from the Côtes du Rhône go well with light fare like fish (fatty, crustacean, battered and fried) and other vegetables (grilled, roasted, pureed, pickled). Indeed, Côtes du Rhône reds are highly adaptable to combine various types of cuisine thanks to their delicious berry flavour, softly regulated acidity, and restrained tannins.

Reserve a red or rosé with lamb chops or barbecued pork if you visit the Côtes du Rhône Villages tier, and any colour to pair with herb-crusted chicken thighs (the spices will sing against the smoke you can find in Syrah). 

Villages-plus-village-name tier to utilise as a counterbalance to the more subdued flavours and textures in a dish or a course. 

Like a wonderful dinner guest, the wines are nimble and keep things interesting from dish to dish.

As winter draws near, it’s also important to have Côtes du Rhône reds in mind to pair with stews, all types of game meat, and any wooded, berry-flecked, herbaceous sauce or side dish that might go with them. This type of soft, meaty red wine is what you want at your cosy dinner table, and you can take it with you to a chair by the fire (or radiator) to sip and enjoy it even if the weather becomes chilly.

Want to Purchase a Wine That Is Fun? First, Try “Côtes du Rhône”

Of course, when buying wine for investment, there are some general principles to remember: If you’re looking for a supplier, fruitier red wine, your best option is a blend produced primarily of Grenache or Mourvèdre. 

This involves darker fruit with more carefully controlled acidity, like black cherry and plum, similar to some Californian red blends (that are similarly perfect for fresh, local pairing). Stock up on syrah-dominant wines as winter approaches; they can be peppery and softly muscular.

Like rosés and white wines from the Côtes du Rhône will provide a richness of aromas and texture that will balance acid and fleshiness, they are the perfect complement to various cuisines. 

Of course, it’s useful to remember that the deeper a Côtes du Rhône rosé is, the more likely it is to pair very well with food.

Easy to Explore

Although there is a lot of variety in the Côtes du Rhône, getting around is not difficult. For instance, the Côtes du Rhône Villages-plus-village designation currently includes six villages that are popular in the U.S.: Visan, Sablet, Valréas, Laudun, Séguret, and Plan de Dieu. 

Côtes du Rhône wine bottles list the 22 communities that have been granted the privilege to print their names, and the wine inside is unavoidably attractive, fascinating, and full of character.

Along with certain white and rosé wines, you can discover some red wines for cooking that can be enjoyed after a few years in a cellar. The white wines have a distinct freshness since many of the vineyards are located at a higher altitude than the rest of the AOC Côtes du Rhône. The rosés, which tend to be darker, can be served year-round and in large quantities.

Whether you plan to serve your Côtes du Rhône reds with food or just by themselves, serve them slightly cooler than room temperature. Additionally, you should mildly cool any white or rosé wines from the Côtes du Rhône (no ice cubes, please!).

Côtes du Rhône – Heaven For Wine Lovers 

If you decide to go to the Côtes du Rhône, don’t delay. Not only is it a heaven for wine lovers, but it’s also quite reasonably priced with wine investment services. For prices that allow you to buy more than one bottle, you can simultaneously visit two villages, sample red and rosé wine, etc. You’ll get a gold mine of complexity and tradition in exchange. It would help if you started employing them frequently after becoming familiar with them.

We can assist you if you’re interested in buying wine as an investment. Modern fine wine is available from Cru Wine. A great source of passion and pleasure is wine. We want to make wine purchasing simpler. Nevertheless, we also want to give you a richer experience. To learn more, download our fine wine investment brochure right away!