Celebrated for its exceptional red wines, Côte Rôtie is a viticultural gem nestled at the northernmost part of the Rhône Valley, 30km south of Lyon.
The appellation with its steep terrain is indeed considered one of the most beautiful in the French vineyard thanks to the quality of its wines but also for its remarkable vineyard made of steep slopes overlooking the Rhône. This unique terroir, steeped in history and tradition, imparts an inimitable personality to the wines produced here.
Through this article, we will delve into the captivating world of Côte Rôtie, where each sip reveals a millennia-old story of passion and expertise. Embark on a delicious journey that will allow you to discover the history of the appellation, its grape varieties, its terroir, or even how to ideally taste and pair the wines of the region.
Côte Rôtie: one of the oldest vineyards in France
The history of the Côte Rôtie appellation dates back to Antiquity, demonstrating an exceptional longevity as well as a deeply rooted winemaking tradition.
The first traces of vines indeed date back to the Roman era.Philosophers like Pliny the Elder or Plutarch then celebrated in their writings the Viennese wine, a name derived from the French city of Vienne, located a few kilometers south of Lyon. Still during Antiquity, the Romans also contributed to the growth of the vineyard by developing new cultivation techniques as well as the wine trade along the river.
Then, in the 6th century, the first charters concerning Ampuis and its vineyard appeared, gradually delineating a more precise area.
In the Middle Ages, Côte Rôtie then gained popularity, and the local lords, admiring and appreciating the wines produced on these sunny slopes, encouraged the planting of vines.The steep slopes indeed favor optimal ripening of the grapes and allow the production of high-quality wines.
Over the centuries, the reputation of Côte Rôtie wines has been consolidated until reaching its peak in 1890, a time when 300 hectares of vineyards were planted. Then, although in 1936 the AOC Côte Rôtie was officially created, the phylloxera crisis, the two world wars, and the development of arboriculture, which was more profitable at the time, almost led to the disappearance of the vineyard, reducing it to only 40 hectares at the beginning of the 1950s. It was not until the 1970s and 1980s that it was revived, notably thanks to the impetus of Étienne Guigal.The eponymous house, still the most well-known of the appellation today, serves as a locomotive for the entire area and revolutionizes winemaking by limiting yields, meticulously sorting the berries, and strictly controlling the aging process.Gradually, the phoenix rises from its ashes, and young winemakers settle in the appellation, creating a vibrant dynamic. Over the years, Côte Rôtie becomes famous again in France and internationally, thanks to the quality of its wines.
Today, the AOC covers 330 hectares on the right bank of the Rhône within three communes: Ampuis, Saint-Cyr-sur-le-Rhône, and Tupin-et-Semons. The vineyard ranges between 180 and 325 meters in altitude and consists of 75 registered localities.
At the height of its glory, the AOC has once again become a global benchmark in the production of red wines with a great aging potential.
Syrah, Côte Blonde and Côte Brune
But then, what are the components of this vineyard that have led it to such success?
Well, Côte Rôtie is first and foremost a fantastic grape variety: the Syrah. This variety reaches its qualitative peak here and produces powerful wines, complex and aromatic with a charming texture, structured yet smooth tannins, and a great aging potential.
Less known fact, the Viognier, a white grape star of the neighboring AOC Condrieu can also be used in the composition of the wines of the appellation, up to 20%! In practice, it rarely exceeds 5 to 10% in the wines, and it is indeed the Syrah that plays the leading role.
Côte Rôtie is also a matter of terroir. The vines are indeed planted here on steep, sun-drenched slopes that can reach a 60% incline. It is from this unique terrain that the appellation derives its name: it dates back to the late 17th century and echoes the vines burned and roasted by the sun during the summer period.
This majestic relief, however, requires the winemakers to engage in very demanding manual labor throughout the year. Thus, in order to support the land and cultivate the vine on terraces, they have built dry stone walls locally called "chaillées".
It is also common to divide the appellation into two parts: the Côte Brune in the north, developing on brown-colored soils (iron oxide) and resting on mica schists, and the Côte Blonde in the south, developing on lighter-colored soils and resting on a bedrock of gneiss and migmatites.
The legend has it that in the 16th century, a lord owning the lands of Côte-Rôtie divided his estate between his two daughters to marry them off well-endowed. One was as blonde as wheat and the other as dark as jet... Pure invention, of course, but poetic!
Finally, the climate of the region is semi-continental and benefits from Mediterranean influences. Summers are therefore hot, winters cool, and precipitation is relatively regular (800 mm per year on average). Moreover, the warm southern wind protects the vineyard here against cryptogamic diseases (fungi) and promotes good ripening.
The wines of the AOC Côte Rôtie
You will have understood, therefore, that the wines of the AOC Côte Rôtie are generally composed of the unique Syrah grape variety although some vintages may sometimes contain a small portion of Viognier. Consequently, to understand the wines of the appellation, it is necessary to grasp these two grape varieties.
Thus, Syrah is a variety that allows the production of seductive and aromatically rich red wines. The tannins are generally well present in tasting and have a certain roundness that makes them accessible. The variety often expresses notes of black fruits (cherry, blackberry), violet, and pepper and lends itself well to aging in oak barrels. Syrah certainly allows for the creation of great wines for aging. If you wish to learn more, feel free to read our article The Syrah Grape Guide.
On the other hand, the white grape Viognier is a variety with low acidity and a generous and indulgent aroma. It often evolves with notes of peach, pear, apricot, and white flowers. A buttery and vanilla aspect is added when the grape is aged in barrels. In Côte Rôtie, the use of Viognier aims to soften the tannins of Syrah and bring an additional aroma to the wine.If you want to learn more, you can also read our article on the Viognier grape variety.
Now that you know these varieties better, let's focus more precisely on the wines of the AOC Côte Rôtie. Here, Syrah is considered to be at its northern limit (it is indeed often planted in vineyards with an even warmer climate). Yet, it is here that it reaches its peak: balanced acidity, power, complexity, long aging potential, the wines of Côte Rôtie are a model of balance and elegance.
That being said, very different cuvées coexist within the appellation.To summarize, it is often said that the Côte Brune produces the most powerful and complex wines of the area. Conversely, the Côte Blonde produces wines that are feminine and elegant, more focused on finesse.
Furthermore, if we were to give a "classic" aromatic profile of a Côte Rôtie wine, it would be as follows: notes of cherry, wild blackberry, beautiful spices (cinnamon, pepper, clove, cedar, etc.), a firm yet balanced tannic structure, a touch of violet, and sometimes a slightly oaky and vanilla finish.
However, be aware that many nuances (soils, yields, orientation of the plots, winemaker's vinification, etc.) make this description quite caricatural.
What to eat with a Côte Rôtie ?
Conclusion
You will have understood, the appellation Côte Rôtie is a magical name that resonates in the ears of all lovers of great red wines. Concentrated over barely a few kilometers, this area produces the best Syrahs in France and dazzles tasters from around the world.
Thanks to its remarkable terroirs, the master appellation of the northern Rhône Valley offers gastronomic cuvées with velvety texture and intense aromatics.
Now, all that remains is for you to explore its characteristic steep vineyard to discover all its charms! And if physical effort scares you, another way exists 😉...Cheers!
