Côte-Rôtie is a renowned supreme wine-growing appellation in France's Rhône region, with a wine-making tradition that can be traced back over 2,400 years. The term Côte-Rôtie translates to "roasted slope," giving one a hint about the area's extraordinary sun-soaked terroir. Sprawling across roughly 200 hectares in the northernmost sector of the Rhône, this is a place where the expression of terroir takes centre stage and grape varieties reach their prime.
Côte-Rôtie wines are most commonly red, beautifully crafted, chiefly, from Syrah grapes. Hand harvesting is mandatory here adding to the excellent quality of these wines. The area's winemakers are known to occasionally blend their Syrah with Viognier, a white grape variety, up to a maximum of 20% which is unusual but permitted, thereby adding an additional layer of aromatic complexity to these superb wines. The wines from Côte-Rôtie are highly sought-after for their seductive aromatic profiles bustling with ripe black fruit, pepper, and elegant notes of violets.
Decidedly full-bodied yet silky smooth, these wines have a brilliant capacity to age, growing more profound and complex over the years. The area is divided into two parts: the Côte Brune and Côte Blonde. The wines from the Côte Brune, with its iron-rich soil, are typically more robust and lengthy, while those from the Côte Blonde, which has a higher concentration of limestone, edge towards the more elegant and fruity side.
Côte-Rôtie represents the apex of northern Rhône viticulture. These are expressive, sophisticated wines brimming with character. They enjoy a kind of fame and adoration among wine connoisseurs and critics across the globe. Savouring a glass of Côte-Rôtie gives you not just a taste of splendid wine but transports you to the sun-bathed hills and rich culture of Rhône, France.
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