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Generosity and Character !

In the southern part of the Rhône Valley, the vines grow on terraces, on the river’s alluvial plains and on slopes leading up to the region’s iconic hilltop villages.

Vines have been grown here since Roman times, and now no fewer than 95 villages make up the Côtes du Rhône Villages appellation area. From Drôme Provençale to the banks of the Durance in the east, from the Ardèche to the Pont du Gard in the west, these villages are well worth a visit – you may even find your own hidden gems. There is an enormous range of Côtes du Rhône Villages wines; the style depends on the nature of the soil. But one thing is for sure, you’ll need more than a day to explore.

Côtes du Rhône Villages

History

1966
1966

Birth of AOC Côtes du Rhône Villages

The Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC was established by decree on 2nd November 1966, supplemented by a further decree on 25th August 1967. The AOC area encompasses 95 villages across the 4 southern Rhône départements of Ardèche, Drôme, Gard and Vaucluse.

22 of these villages have reached a standard of quality authorising them to add their village name to the labels of their Côtes du Rhône Villages wines. These are:

  • In the Drôme: Nyons, Rochegude, Rousset-les-Vignes, Saint-Maurice, Saint-Pantaléon-les-Vignes and Suze-la-Rousse.
  • In Vaucluse: Gadagne, Massif d’Uchaux, Plan de Dieu, Puyméras, Roaix, Sablet, Sainte-Cécile-les-Vignes, Séguret, Vaison-la-Romaine, Valréas and Visan.
  • In the Gard: Chusclan, Laudun, Saint-Gervais and Signargues
  • In Ardèche: Saint Andéol.

These are known as Côtes du Rhône Villages with geographical name.

Geography

Geography

The appellation’s 95 communes lie in the 4 southern Rhône départements of Ardèche, Drôme, Gard and Vaucluse.

Climate

The climate is the same as in the Côtes du Rhône AOC, although criteria are more stringently applied, given the stricter production regulations in this appellation. The climate here is Mediterranean, influenced by the Mistral wind wind. Rainfall is low, and snow is rare.

Soils

Rigorous production rules

The soils here are the same as in the Côtes du Rhône AOC, although the criteria are more stringently applied given the stricter production regulations in this appellation. Generally speaking, stony chalky clay soils produce dense, generous well-coloured wines with good body and powerful aromas. The drier stony soils give appealing, elegant, fruit-driven wines.

Key figures

Key figures of the appellation

95.6% red
0.6% rosé
3.8% white

Colors

34 hl/ha

Average annual yield

8 381 ha

Production surface area

287 031 hl

Total production

37%

Exportation

Découvrez le vignoble en chiffres

Discover key figures

Inter Rhône - Key Figures 2021

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Find out about the Rhone vineyards : terroirs, soils, climate, grape varieties and, of course, flavours… as if you were visiting in person.