The Côte-Rôtie Appellation

by Pauline 29 April 2025

29 April 2025 1.7K views

Côte-Rôtie, the northern jewel of the Rhône Valley, is one of the most prestigious appellations of the Rhône, admired by wine lovers from all over the world. Nestled in the far north of the northern part, it shares its territory of excellence with other renowned appellations such as Condrieu, Saint-Joseph, Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Cornas and Saint-Péray.

An exceptional terroir

Steep hillsides: Côte-Rôtie owes its name to its steep slopes where vines cling to the hillsides with the help of man-made terraces and low walls. These steep hillsides can reach altitudes of 325m, where the vines “roast” in the sun. Sometimes dizzying, they provide ideal exposure and perfect drainage, essential conditions for the quality of the grapes.

Varied soils: The terroir is composed of two main soil types: the “brown coasts,” rich in schist and mica, where fuller-bodied wines are produced, and the “blonde coasts,” more calcareous, producing delicate wines. This geological diversity gives the wines a remarkable aromatic complexity.

The King grape variety of Côte-Rôtie: Syrah

Syrah is the emblematic grape variety of Côte-Rôtie. It expresses itself here with incomparable elegance and complexity, offering aromas of black fruits, violet, spices and licorice. A particularity of the appellation is the authorization to add up to 20% of Viognier, a white grape variety, during vinification. This ancestral practice brings a touch of finesse and additional complexity to the wines.