As France readies itself for Bastille Day on July 14, there’s no better time to turn your attention to the wines of the Rhône Valley. In particular, the diverse, expressive bottles from Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages. These wines evoke sun-warmed stone, wind-swept vines, and centuries of careful cultivation, with fruity complexity, and remarkable affordability.
For those looking to expand their horizons beyond the usual Bordeaux and Burgundy picks, the Rhône offers an exciting, terroir-driven alternative that’s perfect for summer sipping and celebratory toasts…
What makes Côtes du Rhône and Villages wines so special?
The Côtes du Rhône AOC is among the most geographically and stylistically varied in France, stretching across both the Northern and Southern Rhône. While the north is dominated by the Syrah grape, it’s the southern region that gives us the lush, fruit-forward blends that dominate this category, most notably those made from Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault.
These blends are the result of terroirs that range from galets roulés (large heat-retaining pebbles) to sandy, limestone-rich soils, each contributing a different textural or aromatic element. The effect? Wines that are expressive, versatile, and supremely food-friendly.
The Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC, meanwhile, ups the ante. These wines are held to stricter production standards, and the top-tier expressions come from 21 named villages, such as Sablet, Roaix and Cairanne. Expect deeper complexity, more structure, and often, a longer cellar life.
The Côtes du Rhône AOC is among the most geographically and stylistically varied in France…
What to drink (and eat) this Bastille Day
Bastille Day – or La Fête Nationale – marks the storming of the Bastille prison on July 14, 1789, a flashpoint in the French Revolution. It’s a symbol of liberty, fraternity, and the spirit of the French Republic. The day is now celebrated across France with parades, fireworks, music, and, naturellement, food and wine.
What better reason then, to toast to France with the wines of Côtes du Rhône; terroir-driven, delicious, and full of character.
We’ve been trying Domaine Marcel Richaud, Les Galets (Côtes du Rhône, Red, 2023), £16.59 from DByrne & Co, and Domaine des Lauribert, Fine Fleur (Côtes du Rhône, White, 2023), imported by The French Wine Project.
The Domaine des Lauribert is a Syrah-Shiraz blend. It’s a smooth, robust fruit-forward red, bursting with cherries, raspberries, blackberrys, and notes of chocolate.
The Domaine Marcel Richaud, Les Galets is distinguished by the influence of Carignan and Mourvèdre grapes; it’s juicy and black fruit-centric, beautifully balanced with slightly tannic, oaky notes.
Other Rhône bottles to elevate your July 14 include:
Domaine La Perdrière, La Pause (Côtes du Rhône Villages Sablet, Red, 2023), £16.50 from Hourlier Wines.
Cellier des Dauphins, Les Dauphins Rosé (Côtes du Rhône, 2024) , £9.25 from Ocado.
Domaine Giraud, Les Sables d’Arène (Côtes du Rhône, White, 2023), £28.10 from Roberson Wine.
Domaine Pique Basse, L’Atout du Pique (Côtes du Rhône Villages Roaix, White, 2021), £24 from Chesters Wine Merchants.
Gabriel Meffre, Saint Vincent (Côtes du Rhône, White, 2024), £11 from Waitrose.
Follow the 20/20 rule to get the most from these bottles: chill reds for 20 minutes before serving; take whites and rosés out of the fridge 20 minutes before you pour. This simple temperature tweak brings out the freshness and finesse in every glass.
How best to enjoy them?
The beauty of Côtes du Rhône wines lies in their versatility. They work equally well on a linen-covered dining table or a backyard barbecue spread. For Bastille Day, try these food pairings:
Grilled lamb or merguez sausages with the vibrant fruit and spice of a Côtes du Rhône red like Domaine Marcel Richaud, Les Galets (2023); Provençal seafood platters or herbed chicken with the zesty acidity of Domaine des Lauribert, Fine Fleur white (2023); and summer salads and charcuterie with the bright, coral-pink Les Dauphins Rosé (2024), a perfect picnic wine with certified crowd-pleaser credentials.
Whether you’re planning a garden party or a candlelit terrace dinner, these bottles will more than rise to the occasion.
For more about the region and its wines, visit cotesdurhone.com.Images courtesy of Inter Rhône.
Heaven Hill, one of America’s most historically important distilleries, has launched Old Fitzgerald 7 Year Old Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey in the UK, through an exclusive partnership with Majestic. The release marks the UK debut of the signature expression. Heaven Hill traces its roots back to the late 1800s and became widely known during the…
The Macallan has announced the Romantica Collection, a prestige single cask release to mark the centenary of The Macallan 1926, the legendary whisky that has repeatedly broken auction records. Distilled in 1926 and bottled 60 years later, it remains the most valuable bottle of wine or spirit ever sold. The last known sale of The…
One of Italy’s most legendary wine dynasties is taking over a Belgravia pub for one night only – and the menu sounds outrageously good. On Thursday 4 June, Prince Arthur will partner with iconic Italian wine producer Marchesi Antinori for an intimate tasting dinner pairing some of Tuscany’s most celebrated wines with a decadent Basque-inspired…
The Luxe Review 
As France readies itself for Bastille Day on July 14, there’s no better time to turn your attention to the wines of the Rhône Valley. In particular, the diverse, expressive bottles from Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages. These wines evoke sun-warmed stone, wind-swept vines, and centuries of careful cultivation, with fruity complexity, and remarkable affordability.
For those looking to expand their horizons beyond the usual Bordeaux and Burgundy picks, the Rhône offers an exciting, terroir-driven alternative that’s perfect for summer sipping and celebratory toasts…
What makes Côtes du Rhône and Villages wines so special?
The Côtes du Rhône AOC is among the most geographically and stylistically varied in France, stretching across both the Northern and Southern Rhône. While the north is dominated by the Syrah grape, it’s the southern region that gives us the lush, fruit-forward blends that dominate this category, most notably those made from Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault.
These blends are the result of terroirs that range from galets roulés (large heat-retaining pebbles) to sandy, limestone-rich soils, each contributing a different textural or aromatic element. The effect? Wines that are expressive, versatile, and supremely food-friendly.
The Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC, meanwhile, ups the ante. These wines are held to stricter production standards, and the top-tier expressions come from 21 named villages, such as Sablet, Roaix and Cairanne. Expect deeper complexity, more structure, and often, a longer cellar life.
What to drink (and eat) this Bastille Day
Bastille Day – or La Fête Nationale – marks the storming of the Bastille prison on July 14, 1789, a flashpoint in the French Revolution. It’s a symbol of liberty, fraternity, and the spirit of the French Republic. The day is now celebrated across France with parades, fireworks, music, and, naturellement, food and wine.
What better reason then, to toast to France with the wines of Côtes du Rhône; terroir-driven, delicious, and full of character.
We’ve been trying Domaine Marcel Richaud, Les Galets (Côtes du Rhône, Red, 2023), £16.59 from DByrne & Co, and Domaine des Lauribert, Fine Fleur (Côtes du Rhône, White, 2023), imported by The French Wine Project.
The Domaine des Lauribert is a Syrah-Shiraz blend. It’s a smooth, robust fruit-forward red, bursting with cherries, raspberries, blackberrys, and notes of chocolate.
The Domaine Marcel Richaud, Les Galets is distinguished by the influence of Carignan and Mourvèdre grapes; it’s juicy and black fruit-centric, beautifully balanced with slightly tannic, oaky notes.
Other Rhône bottles to elevate your July 14 include:
Domaine La Perdrière, La Pause (Côtes du Rhône Villages Sablet, Red, 2023), £16.50 from Hourlier Wines.
Cellier des Dauphins, Les Dauphins Rosé (Côtes du Rhône, 2024) , £9.25 from Ocado.
Domaine Giraud, Les Sables d’Arène (Côtes du Rhône, White, 2023), £28.10 from Roberson Wine.
Domaine Pique Basse, L’Atout du Pique (Côtes du Rhône Villages Roaix, White, 2021), £24 from Chesters Wine Merchants.
Gabriel Meffre, Saint Vincent (Côtes du Rhône, White, 2024), £11 from Waitrose.
Follow the 20/20 rule to get the most from these bottles: chill reds for 20 minutes before serving; take whites and rosés out of the fridge 20 minutes before you pour. This simple temperature tweak brings out the freshness and finesse in every glass.
How best to enjoy them?
The beauty of Côtes du Rhône wines lies in their versatility. They work equally well on a linen-covered dining table or a backyard barbecue spread. For Bastille Day, try these food pairings:
Grilled lamb or merguez sausages with the vibrant fruit and spice of a Côtes du Rhône red like Domaine Marcel Richaud, Les Galets (2023); Provençal seafood platters or herbed chicken with the zesty acidity of Domaine des Lauribert, Fine Fleur white (2023); and summer salads and charcuterie with the bright, coral-pink Les Dauphins Rosé (2024), a perfect picnic wine with certified crowd-pleaser credentials.
Whether you’re planning a garden party or a candlelit terrace dinner, these bottles will more than rise to the occasion.
For more about the region and its wines, visit cotesdurhone.com. Images courtesy of Inter Rhône.
First pour: Heaven Hill Old Fitzgerald 7 Year Old wheated bourbon is a real sweet charmer
Heaven Hill, one of America’s most historically important distilleries, has launched Old Fitzgerald 7 Year Old Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey in the UK, through an exclusive partnership with Majestic. The release marks the UK debut of the signature expression. Heaven Hill traces its roots back to the late 1800s and became widely known during the…
The Macallan Romantica Collection is an ultra-rare 40 Year Old Single Cask tribute to the world’s most valuable whisky
The Macallan has announced the Romantica Collection, a prestige single cask release to mark the centenary of The Macallan 1926, the legendary whisky that has repeatedly broken auction records. Distilled in 1926 and bottled 60 years later, it remains the most valuable bottle of wine or spirit ever sold. The last known sale of The…
This Belgravia pub is serving a £200 Antinori wine feast – and it sounds worth every sip
One of Italy’s most legendary wine dynasties is taking over a Belgravia pub for one night only – and the menu sounds outrageously good. On Thursday 4 June, Prince Arthur will partner with iconic Italian wine producer Marchesi Antinori for an intimate tasting dinner pairing some of Tuscany’s most celebrated wines with a decadent Basque-inspired…
Share this: