Côte-Rôtie AOC
Côte-Rôtie is a French wine Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) in the northern Rhône wine region of France. The vineyards are located just south of Vienne in the communes of Saint-Cyr-sur-le-Rhône, Ampuis, and Tupin-et-Semons. The vineyards are unique because of the steep slopes facing the river and their stone walls. Côte-Rôtie can be rendered in English as "the roasted slope" and refers to the long hours of sunlight that these steep slopes receive.
| Wine region | |
| Official name | Côte-Rôtie |
|---|---|
| Type | Appellation d'origine contrôlée |
| Year established | 1940 |
| Country | France |
| Part of | Northern Rhone |
| Other regions in Northern Rhone | Crozes-Hermitage, Cornas, Hermitage, Saint-Joseph |
| Climate region | continental climate |
| Size of planted vineyards | 224 hectares (550 acres). |
| Grapes produced | Syrah, Viognier |
The wines are red, made with Syrah grapes and up to 20% Viognier, a white grape used for its aroma. According to appellation rules, Syrah and Viognier (if used) must be fermented at the same time, a process known as cofermentation. Because of this combination, Côte-Rôtie wine typically exhibits an almost paradoxical pairing of meat aromas (including bacon) and floral aromas.