📜 Côte-Rôtie
Steep terraces of the northern Rhône: red wines from Syrah with a little white Viognier.
Côte-Rôtie is a French appellation (PDO) in the north of the Rhône Valley, on steep terraces along the river. The name means roasted slope: the vineyards are warmed so well by the sun. The slopes are very steep, often 30–60 percent, and work has to be done by hand. Vines are tied to stakes.
The wine is red, from Syrah. The rules allow up to 20% of white Viognier, which lifts the aroma and softens the taste. In practice most estates add less. Soils vary: on the slope called Côte Blonde they are paler and softer, on the Côte Brune darker, giving denser wines. The wine is aromatic, with notes of dark berries, pepper, smoke and violet, and tannins that soften with years.
Côte-Rôtie is tied to the Northern Rhône, still red wines, Syrah and Viognier. The best examples age for many years. It is served with meat, game and hard cheeses. Although the area is small, its wines are known worldwide and cost noticeably more than simple Rhône reds.
How it connects to Wine
📜 Côte-Rôtie ← main grape of ← 🍇 Syrah → kind of → 🍇 Grape varieties → kind of → 🍷 Wine
Links
- Where it is
- 📍 Northern Rhône
- Main grapes
- 🍇 Syrah, 🍇 Viognier
- Wines
- 🍷 Red wine, 🍷 Still wine
Frequently asked questions
What is Côte-Rôtie?
A French appellation on the steep slopes of the Northern Rhône, red wines from Syrah.
Why is Viognier added?
A small share of white Viognier adds aroma and softens the red wine.
What does the name mean?
Roasted slope, because the sun warms the vineyards so strongly.
Similar
📜 Cornas · 📜 Collines Rhodaniennes · 📜 Vallegarcía · 📜 Condrieu · 📜 Crozes-Hermitage · 📜 Saint-Joseph
⚠️ Wine contains alcohol: adults only, drink in moderation. Wine usually contains sulphites; egg white or milk proteins are sometimes used for fining — important for allergies and for vegans.