Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC
| Wine region | |
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| Official name | Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC |
|---|---|
| Type | Appellation d'origine contrôlée |
| Country | France |
| Part of | Rhône Valley |
| Climate region | mediterranean |
| Soil conditions | argilo-calcaireous, heavily pebbled |
| Size of planted vineyards | 7,698 ha incl. named villages |
| Wine produced | red, white, rosé |
| Comments | 2005 data |
Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages is a French wine Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) in the southern Rhône wine region of France. It is made up from a list of villages around the region whose wines meet the criteria for this appellation quality of wine. The quality is superior to the generic Côtes-du-Rhône AOC but below appellations such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC or Vacqueyras AOC. Red, white and rosé wine are all produced within the appellation and while being below the mentioned appellations, it is the second largest appellation in the Rhône, only surpassed by AOC Côtes-du-Rhône.
Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages was established as AOC in 1966-1967 though drafts originated from as early as 1953. Five communes stood out, Cairanne, Gigondas (now an appellation in itself), Chusclan, Laudun and Saint-Maurice-sur-Eygues. These communes or villages were allowed to put their name on the label in exchange of submitting to a number of regulations, such as a minimum alcohol level (12.5%). In 1955 Vacqueyras was accepted in the small group and two years later, Vinsobres. The inspiration for the appellation was found in Beaujolais, which also has a village-level of wine. Since, the appellation has expanded to almost 10,000 hectares, half of which can add the name of the village to the label. The other half can distinguish themselves from Côtes-du-Rhône by merely adding the "village".
With a total of approximately 2,211 hectares under cultivation for Côtes du Rhône Villages, the average yield is approximately 38 hectoliters per hectare. Producers are required to adhere to stricter wine growing and wine making rules than those prescribed for Côtes du Rhône. In the red wines the Grenache grape must be present at not less than 50%, with 20% Syrah and/or Mourvèdre. A maximum of 20% of other authorized varieties is permitted. The rosés must contain a minimum of 50% Grenache with 20% of Syrah and/or Morvèdre and a maximum of 20% of other authorised varieties to comprise not more than 20% of white varieties. Used are Grenache, Clairette, Marsanne, Rousanne, Bouboulenc and Viognier. The white wines are a blend of Grenache white, Clairette white, Marsanne white, Rousanne white, Bourboulenc white and Viognier. Other varieties are allowed to a maximum of 20%. The minimum required alcoholic strength is fixed at 12% for all three colours.
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