There is no doubt that the Cotes du Rhone region can be considered as one of the best in the world, right alongside Bordeaux (both located in France). In fact, if you consider the quality of its wine and the average price they sell for, you have to come to the conclusion that it is difficult to get a better deal on high quality wines. Furthermore, it is a wine that pairs well with a large variety of food, which makes it interesting to keep a bottle (and maybe a few more) in the cellar at all times.
Cotes du Rhone: Sweet and Fruity Wines
The Cotes du Rhone wines are easy to drink, as they are full of the beautiful taste of red berries. Those who enjoy drinking refined wine, at a fair price, should enquire about the great vineyards of that French region. One of the advantages they offer is that you don’t even have to wait years to open a Cotes du Rhone; most of them can be enjoyed right from the moment they come out.
There are two different grades of quality recognized in the region. The Cotes du Rhone Villages is considered a higher level of classification, while the regular Cotes du Rhone is less prestigious but still much appreciated around the world. There are 18 villages that officially produce this wine. It is one of the largest territories in France to be granted the title of the appellation and one of the oldest in the world since it was already used by the Romans to produce wine.
To make the right choice, don’t hesitate to call upon a specialist such as Millesima, an e-boutique which can be found on the internet. Being based in France (in the Bordeaux region), they’ll be able to advise you on the best Cotes du Rhone to choose, according to the meal you will be serving.
Pairing Cotes du Rhone and Food
One of the great things about Cotes du Rhone wineries is that you can actually visit most of them without an appointment. So if you ever pass through the region, you should definitely take the time to stop at some of them. You will get a chance to taste the wine, and sometimes you can also stay for lunch, which can provide ideas for food pairing as well.
In truth, Cotes du Rhone is one of the most food-friendly wines you can find, as they match quite well with an abundance of products. You can serve them with any type of meal, whether grilled, roasted, braised or stewed. Beef, pork, duck and lamb will complement your wine perfectly and so will game and sausages. It can also be pair well with spicy Asian dishes.
Of course, like so many French wines, the Cotes du Rhone can be enjoyed with a large variety of cheeses, soft and hard, and even with fish, selfish and sushi as well. Making your decision according to the season is always the best solution!
