🥃 Côtes-du-Rhône wine spirit (Eau-de-vie de vin des Côtes-du-Rhône)
French spirit from Rhône valley wines, also Fine des Côtes du Rhône: an EU-protected name since 1989; clear from 3 months, aged from 3 years in wood; from 40% ABV.
Côtes-du-Rhône wine spirit (Eau-de-vie de vin des Côtes-du-Rhône), or Fine des Côtes du Rhône, is a French grape spirit distilled from wines of the Rhône valley. The name has been protected in the EU since 1989, and as a regional designation since 1948. It comes clear or aged in wood, and the bottled strength is from 40% ABV.
Raw material. Wines that meet the Côtes-du-Rhône appellation rules, or another appellation of the region, are distilled; then the appellation name, for example Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Hermitage or Gigondas, may be added to the label. Yields are small, 30–50 hl per hectare. Distillation and aging take place in communes of seven departments on both sides of the Rhône between Vienne and Avignon.
Distillation. A simple copper pot still of up to 40 hl is allowed, as is a pot still with a column of up to 10 copper plates, or a continuous column of up to 85 hl of pure alcohol per day. The fresh spirit is up to 72% ABV and contains at least 300 g of aromatic substances per hectolitre of pure alcohol.
Aging. The clear spirit rests at least three months in inert containers. The aged spirit matures at least three years in wooden casks of up to 2,000 l, mostly old ones; with a distillation year, at least 10 years. The specification describes aromas of walnut, prune, tobacco, caramel and vanilla. Travelling distillers once made spirit in this region.
Why this matters to you. A specific appellation name on the label means the spirit was made only from wine of that appellation. Do not confuse it with marc Côtes-du-Rhône, which is made from grape pressings. The WHO reminds us: there is no safe level of alcohol.
Facts
| EU category | 4 “Wine spirit” (protected name of France) |
|---|---|
| Raw material | wines of the Côtes-du-Rhône appellation or another appellation of the region |
| Distillation method | copper pot still up to 40 hl, pot still with column up to 10 plates, or column up to 85 hl pure alcohol/day; ≤ 72% ABV |
| Minimum maturation | clear — 3 months; aged — 3 years in wood up to 2,000 l; with a distillation year — 10 years |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | from 40% ABV |
| Legal basis | EU PGI since 12.06.1989 (PGI-FR-02070); specification — order of 09.12.2025 |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Côtes-du-Rhône wine spirit (Eau-de-vie de vin des Côtes-du-Rhône) → kind of → 🍇 Grape brandies → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Packed in
- 🍷 Oak barrel
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 French
- Part of
- 🍇 Grape brandies
- Related to
- 📜 Côtes du Rhône, 📜 Châteauneuf-du-Pape
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Marc des Côtes-du-Rhône, 🥃 Cognac
Frequently asked questions
Is Côtes-du-Rhône wine spirit always aged?
No. There is a clear spirit that only rests at least three months in inert containers, and an aged one, which matures at least three years in wooden casks.
What wines is it made from?
From wines of the Côtes-du-Rhône appellation or another appellation of the region. In that case the name, for example Châteauneuf-du-Pape, can be shown on the label.
How is it distilled?
In a copper pot still of up to 40 hl, a pot still with a column of up to 10 plates, or a continuous column of up to 85 hl of pure alcohol per day; up to 72% ABV.
Since when has the name existed?
The regional designation was set by decree of 19 March 1948; the EU has protected the name since 12 June 1989.
How is it different from Côtes-du-Rhône marc?
Marc Côtes-du-Rhône is distilled from grape pressings, while this spirit is distilled from wine.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Oak barrel — A wooden barrel of oak staves in which wine matures and breathes.
- 🧑🤝🧑 French — The French are the main population of France, known for the festive meal and baguette on UNESCO's list, for wine and for cheese.
- 🥃 Cognac — French AOC grape spirit from the Charente: double-distilled and aged at least 2 years in oak.
- 🥃 Marc des Côtes-du-Rhône — Protected EU name: spirit from marc of Rhône valley wines; white from 3 months, aged from 3 years in wood, from 40% ABV.
Similar
🥃 Marne wine spirit (Eau-de-vie de vin de la Marne) · 🥃 Fine Bordeaux · 🥃 Eau-de-vie de Faugères · 🥃 Languedoc wine spirit (Eau-de-vie de vin originaire du Languedoc) · 🥃 Bugey wine spirit (Eau-de-vie de vin originaire du Bugey) · 🥃 Fine de Bourgogne
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- BO AGRI (Ministère de l'Agriculture, France): Cahier des charges de l'IG «Eau-de-vie de vin des Côtes du Rhône» ou «Fine des Côtes du Rhône», arrêté du 09.12.2025 (vins AOP Côtes du Rhône ou AOP de la région; 30–50 hl/ha; alambic ≤ 40 hl, colonne ≤ 10 plateaux, colonne continue ≤ 85 hl AP/24 h; ≤ 72 % vol.; ≥ 300 g/hl AP; blanche ≥ 3 mois; vieillie ≥ 3 ans en bois ≤ 2 000 l; AOR 19.03.1948)
- eAmbrosia (EU register of geographical indications): «Eau-de-vie de vin des Côtes-du-Rhône», PGI-FR-02070 (EUGI00000014117), spirit drink GI, EU protection 12.06.1989
- Regulation (EC) No 110/2008, Annex III as at 31.01.2020 (legislation.gov.uk): category 4, Wine spirit — Eau-de-vie de vin des Côtes-du-Rhône
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks (OJ L 130, 17.5.2019), Annex I: category 4, Wine spirit
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)