Named Côtes du Rhône Villages

Cairanne

Cairanne enjoys an excellent reputation. Many critics claim that this region makes the best wines of any named Côtes du Rhône village. Vintage after vintage, the rich reds, fresh whites, and fruity rosés of Cairanne are eagerly awaited by cognoscenti and casual consumers alike.

Chusclan

Chusclan has always had its fans. Olivier de Serres, the renowned 17th-century agricultural expert, was an early and vocal supporter of the wines. In 1967, the celebrated rosés of the region were finally granted Côtes du Rhône Villages status. The reds followed closely on the heels of the ever-popular rosés, officially becoming Côtes du Rhône Villages wines in 1971. It’s been over 300 years since he championed Chusclan, but de Serres would no doubt approve of the way things unfolded.

Laudun

Laudun’s vineyards have been around since Roman times, but the wines remained a well-kept secret until the 17th century. Since the word got out, Laudun’s reputation has done nothing but improve, and in 1967 it finally became a named Côtes du Rhône Village. Mostly known for its reds, Laudun makes country wines the right way: big, spicy, and approachable.

Massif d'Uchaux

The winemakers of Massif d’Uchaux recently led a huge push to improve the quality of their wines. The result was good news for consumers and winemakers alike: the wines improved greatly, and in 2005 Massif d’Uchaux became a named village appellation.

Plan de Dieu

Apparently, “God’s Plan” involves drinking extremely well. Like the monks of Champagne, Plan de Dieu’s devoutly religious farmers were guided by a higher power when they began cultivating vines there centuries ago. Earthly authorities have lately sung the praises of these wines as well; the region was given “named village” status in 2005.

Puyméras

Puyméras is a red wine appellation with a green attitude. Organic grape farming is commonplace here, but only red wines may be labeled “Puyméras Côtes du Rhône Villages.” This modern approach to viticulture, along with some truly superb winemaking, helped Puyméras to win “named village” status in 2005.

Rasteau

Even hundreds of years ago, Rasteau was justly famous for its sweet fortified wines. While this is still the case, today the dry wines of Rasteau have managed to eclipse the fortifieds – both in quality and in renown. Rasteau is now one of the top village appellations for both dry and sweet wine in the Côtes du Rhône. The dry whites and rosés are especially well loved.

Roaix

In the 12th century, the Order of the Knights Templar built a residence for their Grand Master at Roaix, planting grapevines there. When Pope Clement V dissolved the Order two centuries later, Roaix came under the Pope’s control – and started to produce much better wines. To this day, the quality of Roaix wines remains exemplary.

Rochegude

Rochegude has a long history of powerful supporters. Heads of state have been known to enjoy a bottle or two, from the Roman Emperor Domitian to Thomas Jefferson. Still, in the mid-1700s a highly ambitious Marquis introduced new regulations to Rochegude in an attempt to make the wines even better. He succeeded: the wines are now known for their dignified intensity, and in 1967 Rochegude became a named village appellation. It’s good to have friends in high places, but it’s even better to have a passionate nobleman overseeing your vineyards.

Rousset les Vignes

Dominated by a Renaissance castle, this tiny village makes big, substantial wines. The vineyards have been there since the Renaissance as well: In the 1400s, a land registry was careful to note the quality of the wines made in Rousset les Vignes – a highly unusual endorsement (and therefore that much stronger). The vignerons of this AOC are still deeply committed to quality, as any tasting will quickly prove to present-day consumers.

Sablet

The Counts of Toulouse were the forward-thinking group of nobles who first planted grapevines at Sablet centuries ago. It turned out to be a prescient move; Sablet is now one of the best-loved village appellations of the Côtes du Rhône. The town stays on the cutting edge in another way as well: Each summer, the biggest names in contemporary French literature converge on the little village for its famed book festival, the “Salon du Livre.”

Saint-Gervais

Saint-Gervais wasn’t always focused on winemaking. Many different crops were planted here at one time, but in the mid-20th century the winemakers of Saint-Gervais set out to improve the quality of their wines. Little by little, grapevines started to take over, and today they dominate the landscape completely. The efforts of the vignerons were officially rewarded in 1974, when Saint-Gervais was classified as a named Côtes du Rhône Village.

Saint-Maurice

Formerly the playground of the Dauphins (the crown princes of France), the town of Saint-Maurice has been renowned as a source of great wine since the 18th century. These days, many of the wines undergo an especially long maceration, a touch that adds density and will appeal to those who like bigger wines.

Saint Pantaléon-les-Vignes

At one time, it was simply called “Saint Pantaléon,” but viticulture had been vital to this town’s way of life for centuries. So, in 1918, the town council added the words “les Vignes” to the name. The wine world must have noticed: Saint Pantaléon-les-Vignes was made a named village in 1969. After all that, they can now label their bottles “Côtes du Rhône Villages Saint-Pantaléon-les-Vignes”: hard to say, easy to drink.

Séguret

In 1685, the winemakers of Séguret formed a brotherhood, or “Confrérie.” Rather miraculously for the period, a woman was the leader. She was a successful local landowner – and, if the personality of the wines is any indication, probably lots of fun at a party. Big, lush, exuberant wines are Seguret’s specialty.

Signargues

Signargues received perhaps the highest endorsement a wine region can get: The cult of Bacchus once lived there! Vestiges of Bacchanalia are strewn all over the area, but one of the most significant archaeological finds was the double-faced statue of Bacchus and Ariane that now sits in the Louvre. It seems that the god of wine preferred reds, as only red wines may be labeled “Signargues Côtes du Rhône Villages.”

Valréas

Wine and miracles just seem to go together. Legend has it that, upon returning from a trip to Lyon, one of the Avignon Popes found himself exhausted, drained of vigor, and unable to find relief. The thing that finally restored him to health was a sip of Valréas wine. Naturally, the Pope soon made Valréas part of the Papal dominion. The region continues to produce miraculous bottles in every vintage.

Visan

Centuries ago, Visan’s destiny was literally written in stone. “Posuerunt me custodem in vinoe,” reads an arch in a 12th-century chapel: “I have been placed here, the custodian of their wines.” The chapel is dedicated to Notre-Dame des Vignes, and luckily for both winemakers and consumers, “Our Lady of the Vines” seems to have kept a vigilant eye on quality. Visan became a named Côtes du Rhône Village in 1967.