Côtes du Rhône

The wines of the Rhône Valley cannot be pigeonholed. Every appellation, from Hermitage to Saint Joseph, has a considerable diversity of styles, ranging from medium-bodied silky reds to powerfully structured and concentrated wines.

The Rhône valley has been a centre of viticulture for many centuries. It is believed that cultivated vines were planted in approximately 600 BC. The Romans controlled the region until the collapse of the Western Empire in the 5th century.

There are few wine regions more beautiful and diverse than the Rhône Valley. Situated in the Rhône-Alpes département in south-eastern France, it produces some of the finest Syrah wines.

There are single-vineyard cuvées from Côte-Rôtie that sell for lavish sums at auction, while delicious bottles of Côtes du Rhône are available for less than £20.