WineRegionsOld WorldFranceRhoneNorth
Five miles south of Vienne, a Roman city dating from the time of Augustus and Livy, on the right bank of the Rhone are the two slopes of Cote Rotie. They shared between the villages of Ampuis and Tupin Semons. Syrah or Serine are the vines used. Their origin is uncertain, maybe the Cyslades together with Viognier. They are pruned in an unusual manner three plants together on three poles, to form a pyramid, forming the unique silhouette of the Cote Rotie. A wine born of such vines may be considered as a wine for laying down improving from year to year. The "dark slope" and the "fair slope" names are due to the legend of noble Maugiron who willed his lands to be shared between his two daughters. The one dark, the other fair. The qualities of the harvests from these two slopes complement each other, and they are generally to be found blended together in the same cellar.
Name means "roasted hill" 2 miles long
Northern most appellation
Very steep hillside vineyards perfectly aligned for sun exposure
Soil varies with two sub districts
Cote Brune "dark slope"- Dark brown soil rich in clay containing
large amounts of iron oxide -distinct mineral flavor characteristics. Very
long-lived.
Cote Blonde "blonde slope" - Lighter chalky soils - flavor characteristic
- fruitier, but fade faster than Brune.
Folklore - The difference is that Maugiron an early lord of Ampuis, presented
the vineyards to his two daughters, one blond and the other brunette. The
slopes assumed their individual characteristics and have maintained them
ever since.
Syrah is the main grape but very rarely Viognier can be added for finesse.