It is one of our favourite wines, available in just about every wine shop and supermarket, and usually at very reasonable prices too. The Côtes du Rhône is one of the largest wine producing areas of France, with more than 6,000 growers, covering over 30,000 hectares of vines. More than 90 per cent of wine produced is red, although white and rosé production are increasing.
The area has two distinct subregions. In the northern Rhône region the red wines are largely made from the syrah grape. In the south, they can be made from a wide variety of grapes, and are usually a blend of several. The classic Côtes du Rhône has 30-80 per cent Grenache, the remainder being made up of cinsault, carignan, mourvèdre or a blend of several. The Grenache gives the wines richness and alcohol, while the other varieties add structure and (sometimes) tannins.
The classic Côtes du Rhône is medium- to full-bodied and warming, with plenty of supple ripe red fruits, a hint of spice and an easy finish. These wines go very well with a variety of meat and cheese dishes. There are some excellent white wines too; we shall return to those another day.
Not surprisingly in such a large area, there are some very inexpensive and average wines. There are plenty of very good wines too. Many of the top producers in more illustrious appellations such as Gigondas and Châteauneuf-du-Pape also bottle a Côtes du Rhône using wines not deemed quite good enough for the Grand Vin. The Alary and Mourchon below are two examples of this.
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Chassaux Côtes du Rhône 2024
13.5%, €7.99
Medium-bodied with smooth rounded dark fruits. Enjoy alongside lamb or beef dishes, or roast aubergines.
Aldi
Côtes du Rhône ‘Les Oliviers’ – Les Vignerons d’Estezargues
14.5%, €17.95
A lovely wine, fragrant and smooth with soft spicy red fruits. Drink with grilled Toulouse sausages with lentils, roast chicken, or a pepperoni pizza.
Bradley’s, Cork L’Atitude 51, Cork; Grub Deli & Grocer, Ballina, Co Mayo; The Garden Shop, Ballymaloe, Co Cork; Redmond’s, Dublin 6; Seeds Bakery, Kinsale, Co Cork
Domaine de Mourchon Côtes du Rhône 2023
14%, €18.99
Soft and seductive with masses of supple fleshy dark fruits. Great with roast or barbecued red meats.
Barnhill Stores, Dalkey, Co Dublin; Redmond’s, Dublin 6; Deveney’s, Dublin 14; Gleesons, Booterstown, Co Dublin; Delgany Grocer, Co Wicklow; Wine Haven, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin; Fresh; MacGuinness, Dundalk, Co Louth
Domaine Alary ‘La Gerbaude’ Côtes du Rhône 2023
13.5%, €22-24
Spicy aromas, with supple fresh juicy dark fruits and a tannin-free finish. Enjoy with grilled pork or venison.
Red Island, Skerries, Co Dublin; wineonline.ie; theallotment.ie
