Côtes-du-Rhône Villages is ôtesduRhôa French wine Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) in the southern Rhône wine region of France. Red, white and rosé wine are all produced within the appellation. The quality is superior to the generic Côtes-du-Rhône AOC, but below more specific appellations such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC and Vacqueyras AOC. Côtes-du-Rhône Villages is the second largest appellation in the Rhône, only surpassed in size by Côtes-du-Rhône AOC.
History
Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages was established as AOC in 1966-1967 though drafts originated from as early as 1953. Five communes stood out, Cairanne, Gigondas (both now appellations in themselves), Chusclan, Laudun and Saint-Maurice-sur-Eygues. These communes or villages were allowed to put their name on the label in exchange of submitting to a number of regulations, such as a minimum alcohol level (12.5%). In 1955 Vacqueyras was accepted in the small group and two years later, Vinsobres. The inspiration for the appellation was found in Beaujolais, which also has a village-level of wine. Since, the appellation has expanded to almost 10,000 hectares, half of which can add the name of the village to the label. The other half can distinguish themselves from Côtes-du-Rhône by merely adding the "village".
Villages
Côtes du Rhône Villages
With a total of approximately 2,211 hectares under cultivation for Côtes du Rhône Villages, the average yield is approximately 38 hectoliters per hectare. Producers are required to adhere to stricter wine growing and wine making rules than those prescribed for Côtes du Rhône. In the red wines the Grenache grape must be present at not less than 50%, with 20% Syrah and/or . A maximum of 20% of other authorized varieties is permitted. The rosés must contain a minimum of 50% Grenache with 20% of Syrah and/or Morvèdre and a maximum of 20% of other authorised varieties to comprise not more than 20% of white varieties. Used are Grenache, Clairette, Marsanne, Rousanne, Bouboulenc and Viognier. The white wines are a blend of Grenache white, Clairette white, Marsanne white, Rousanne white, Bourboulenc white and Viognier. Other varieties are allowed to a maximum of 20%. The minimum required alcoholic strength is fixed at 12% for all three colours.
Côtes du Rhône Villages + village names
Under stricter requirements than for the Côtes du Rhône Villages, twenty of the communes of the appellation are authorized to append their respective village name on the label. With around 5,500 hectares under cultivation, the average yield is approximately 37 hectoliters per hectare. The minimum required alcoholic strength is fixed at 12.5% for the reds and 12% for the whites and rosés.
Rousset-les-Vignes - The northernmost of the 20 named villages. Though wine has been made here since the 15th century it is not a very famous village. 58 ha of wine is being grown here yielding 2500 hl. The village was added to the named-villages-list in 1969 and its stoney vineyards are located at 400 m. altitude making it a village with a somewhat cooler temperature range than those villages at lower altitudes.
Saint-Pantaléon-les-Vignes - Just three km south of Rousset-les-Vignes, Saint-Pantaléon-les-Vignes shares both its terroir and history - even in size they are alike, this one being 63 ha producing 2665 hl. As a curiosity, every year a ceremony is held in the village, where the oldest and the youngest wine producer, along with the village's administration, decide when to begin harvesting.
Valréas - Another 5 km to the south we find this village. While the church historically has had an affinity for Valréas, there are few remarkable wines from here. The village covers 273 ha. and produces 11,390 hl.
Visan - 9 km. south-south-east of Valréas we find this village. Medium-sized with 390 ha. of fat clay soil and an average production of 16,050 hl. Few Visan wines attract attention.
Saint-Maurice - The placement between the villages of Valréas and Rasteau seems to be the main reason why this village was raised to Village-status. 170 ha. of sandy, chalky soil yields 6,690 hl. of wine. Few attract attention but the emergence of Domaine Viret has caused some interest.
Rochegude - The village was allegedly established during the reign of emperor Domitian (51-96) and Jefferson is said to have presented wines from here to Washington himself! Today, the 178 ha. located at 100 m. altitude produces 6,618 hl. of wine of little repute.