While you’d be forgiven for thinking that wines labeled simply Côtes du Rhône are synonymous with Côtes du Rhône Village, there is actually a distinct step up in quality in the latter. 

Producers here are required to adhere to stricter wine growing and wine making rules than those prescribed for wine labeled simply Côtes du Rhône. In their red wines, the Grenache grape must be present at not less than 50%. A maximum of 20% of other authorized varieties (most notably Syrah and Mourvèdre) is permitted. You know, rules…

Although France is considered an “old world” wine country, these Rhone wines have more in common with “new world” wines such as those produced here in California.