Côtes du Rhône Cru AOC Côte-Rôtie
No rolling hillsides here - Côte-Rôtie wines, made from vines planted on the right bank of the Rhône, owe their character to the area’s very steep slopes, which in places reach gradients of over 60°. This very narrow vineyard is planted on terraces not more than a few dozen vines wide. This is the northernmost appellation in the Rhône Valley, located just a few miles from Lyon.
Côte-Rôtie wines are grown, produced and matured by the “Centurie de Probus” (Probus’s Centurions), a group of around one hundred dedicated winemakers who look after the vineyards and their 60 estates. The prestigious Côte-Rôtie cru is made from Syrah, which when blended with Viognier, shows incredible elegance of aroma and extraordinarily fine tannins. Its superb ruby red colour, its complex, elegant nose of spice, red and black berry fruit and violets, its full body and impeccable pedigree make this a highly sought-after wine.
Find it at January’s wine market in Ampuis, a major, unmissable annual event for this appellation.
Informations
Climate: Semi-continental with mediterranean influences
Soils: Granite
Altitude: Between 180 to 325 metres.
Website appellation: https://www.cote-rotie.com/
Key figures
Production surface area in 2023: 337 HA
Total production in 2023: 12 601 HL
Average annual yeld: 37 HL/HA
Export: 24%
Recognition in AOC by the I.N.A.O.: 1940
Communes: Saint-Cyr sur Rhône, Ampuis and Tupin-Semons. They include 73 officially-registered lieux-dits.
Grape varieties
Syrah (minimum 80%)
Syrah is one of the most emblematic red grape varieties of the northern part of the Côtes du Rhône. Due to its rarity, it is only used to produce certain great wines.
Viognier
The second most planted white grape variety in the Rhône Valley, and star grape variety of the northernmost wines of Condrieu and Château-Grillet: Viognier is renowned for its finesse, its elegance, and its captivating bouquet of fresh yellow fruits.
To know
History
2,000 years ago, Roman writers Martial and Pliny the Elder, along with Greek biographer Plutarch, lauded the wines of Côte-Rôtie, calling them the “wines of Vienne,” while the first written documentation mentioning Ampuis and Côte-Rôtie by name dates back to the 6th century. In the Middle Age and during the Renaissance, the popularity of Ampuis wines continued to grow. In the 18th century, they graced the tables of princes in England, Russia and Prussia and, of course, France. By 1890, the vineyards were at their peak; even the tiniest piece of hillside facing the sun was being farmed. Having escaped the devastating effects of phylloxera and other diseases, the vineyards were badly hit by the Wold War 1, when some 150 local winegrowers were killed; a number of slopes were subsequently abandoned. By 1960, only about 60 hectares remained planted. The 1980s brought a revival, however, and the 1940- born appellation once again became a major player on the world stage.
Climate
The vineyards face south, and are not greatly affected by northerly winds. The climate can largely be described as continental, similar to that of Lyon. Winters are mild, summers are hot, and rainfall is relatively regular. The Mediterranean influence is seen mainly in the dry southerly winds.
Soils
The slopes of Côte-Rôtie are extremely steep, reaching gradients of over 60° in places. Almost all the vineyards are planted on metamorphic rock.
The varying pressure and temperatures – hotter in the south of the appellation – have helped create three distinct terroirs: mica schist to the north, gneiss to the south and migmatite in the extreme south east. The bedrock features a large number of fissures and fractures, allowing roots to find water and other nutrients.
Geography
The Côte-Rôtie vineyards grow on slopes on the right bank of the Rhône, across the three communes of Saint-Cyr sur Rhône, Ampuis and Tupin-Semons, and lie between 180 and 325m above sea level. They include 73 officially-registered lieux-dits.
Varieties and flavours
Côte-Rôtie is the only red cru in the Northern Côtes du Rhône to plant Viognier alongside Syrah. Syrah gives quality wines with rich colours and tannins, while Viognier complements it with elegance and finesse.
Associated appellations
