Côtes du Rhône, Rebecca's fantastic five for Easter
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With its beautifully smooth and approachable balance of fruit and spice, could there be a wine more suited to Easter than Côtes du Rhone? Sure, you could go for a classic Bordeaux, modern Malbec or perhaps try and be clever with an orange wine, but there’s something about this beloved wine that’s easy and comfortable and that’s exactly how I want my Easter celebrations to be.
The Rhône Valley is home to some of the oldest vineyards in the world and, because it is such a broad wine-growing region, whether you’re enjoying a traditional roast lamb, vibrant vegetable dish or saucy salmon number, there’s a Côtes du Rhône that will pair effortlessly. But before we get into my top five recommendations, let’s take a closer look at the region.
What is Côtes du Rhône?
Côtes du Rhône is a French wine appellation (AOC) which makes up over half of the entire production of appellation wines in the Southern Rhone, and produces red, white, and rosé wines. That’s right, it isn’t just about red wine, although blends made from Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre are what it is most well known for.
What should I look for on the label?
The wines of the southern Rhône Valley are divided into four levels:
- Entry level Côtes du Rhône AOC wines are generally blends based on Grenache Syrah and Mourvèdre (although could be a blend made from over 20 sanctioned grape varieties) and are brilliant everyday drinking wines, particularly with food.
- Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC are the next level up and express more complexity with more punchy alcohol levels.
- Côtes du Rhône Villages (with specific village name) AOC. There are 20 villages that are allowed to add their name on the label. Look out for villages like Saint-Gervais, Cairanne or Seguret.
- There are now 18 Crus in the Rhône, which are considered to make the best-of-the-best wine. Laudun was the most recently classified in 2024 and joins the likes of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Lirac, and Vacqueyras, which are identifiable by the letters AOP on the label, signifying that the wine comes from a Protected Designation of Origin. Each Cru expresses its very individual terroir and therefore the wines have very distinct styles.
Côtes du Rhône Easter food and wine pairings
Red wines
In my opinion, nothing goes better with a traditional Easter lunch than a red Côtes du Rhône – roast lamb needs a salacious wine that complements its juicy, fall-from-the-bone-tender, meat. But it can also pair well with other foods of the season and even dark chocolate – the contrast of the wine’s spice and dark berries with the bittersweet chocolate works a treat.
Better value than Châteauneuf-du-Pape but with the same Crus status, Rasteau is home to the most intense and spiciest reds in the southern Rhône. Domaine La Font de Notre Dame, Rasteau, is made by the Roux brothers (not the late chefs Albert and Michel but Frédéric and Boris) from 70-year-old Grenache, with Syrah, Mourvèdre and a hint of Cinsault, and its rich complexity is the perfect companion to slow-cooked lamb.
Domaine La Font de Notre Dame, Rasteau 2019, Rhône
£16.65
Rasteau’s elevation to cru status in 2010, solely for its highly regarded dry red wines was widely welcomed. Domaine la Font de Notre Dame, a...… read more
Domaine de l'Amandine "Seguret" is a multi-award winning Côtes du Rhône Villages from one of the most beatiful villages in France (literally classified as "les plus beaux villages de France").
This fragrant wine has aromas of mulberry and red berries. The palate is full of black fruits backed by a hint of oak which distinguishes this elegant fruity southern Rhone from the medieval hill top town of Seguret. It is elegantly blended from old vine Syrah softened by the addition of Grenache to give well defined blackberry fruit on the palate and a long spicy finish. This will be a greaty complement to a roast leg of lamb studded with rosemary, garlic, and anchovies.
Domaine de l'Amandine "Seguret" 2020, Côtes du Rhône Villages
£17.15
From one of the most beatiful villages in France (literally classified as "les plus beaux villages de France"). The Southern Rhône is home to many...… read more
Domaine Maby "Variations" is an organic blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Carignan, from 50-year old vines made by opera fan Richard Maby. It is frank, and powerful, with a delightful acidity. There are touches of plum, and garrigue herbs, which combined with its velvety smooth tannins, make it pair equally well with lamb or beef. The best wine, whatever your preference at Easter.
Domaine Maby "Variations" 2022, Rhône
£13.95
A supple and refreshing organic blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Carignan, from 50-year old vines. Like all of Richard Maby's range, the name referrs...… read more
White wines
While red wines dominate the region, the white wines of Côte du Rhône are worth exploring, particularly as the weather begins to get warmer. Viognier, Roussanne, and Marsanne are the main grapes used in white wines here, which usually display ripe stone fruit and honeysuckle with a lovely spring floral aroma. A well-rounded mouthfeel balanced by bright acidity make these wines great paired with roast chicken, smoked salmon and grilled vegetables.
Font Barriele "L'Essentiel est Invisible pour les Yeux" Blanc is a biodynamic wine made from a blend of Clairette and Roussanne, it is sensual, rich and creamy. Try it with an in-season asparagus and goats cheese tart. It also has a beguiling name, taken from the first chapter of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's book The Little Prince, which means, "What is important, is invisible to the eyes" – a great one to gift to a host this Easter.
Font Barriele "L'Essentiel est Invisible pour les Yeux" Blanc 2021, Rhone
£13.50
Refined and elusive, the deeply rooted vines bring strength and vigour, the wind ensures a healthy life, and the sun concentrates the aromas. Then, there...… read more
Rosé wines
Dry, fresh and delicately fruity with a touch of spice and a vibrant acidity, Côtes du Rhône rosés from the villages of Tavel or Lirac are generally more complex and full-bodied than the quaffable rosé of Provence and therefore they are perfectly suited to food. These gastronomic rosés pair wonderfully with seafood platters, goats cheese salads and vegetable-focused dishes, as well as Indian food.
Tavel is renowned for its deep, almost red, colour, if the colour worries you, opt for Lirac – it’s much paler in colour but still packs a punch in terms of flavour. something paler, but still packing a punch, give Domaine Maby, La Fermade Rosé a try.
Domaine Maby "La Fermade" Rosé 2023, Lirac
£15.75
Here is a full bodied rosé made from a blend of Cinsault (80%) and Grenache (20%). The vineyards are in the Southern Rhône village of...… read more
Give yourself a break this Easter and let Côtes du Rhône do the hard work for you.
