From 2004 red Cotes du Rhone wines have to contain a minimum of 40% Grenache and also must have Syrah and Mourvedre in the blend. The appellation extends into six departments south of Montelimar, all with greatly differing microclimates and soil varieties. This coupled with the make-up of blends and wine making techniques means that there are wildly different styles of Cotes du Rhone from soft easy gluggers, through to serious huge tannic monsters requiring long cellaring. Within the Cotes du Rhone area, some communes with distinctive terroirs are entitled to call their wines Cotes du Rhone Villages. As a further complication within this category 16 villages are thought to be so distinctive that they can also put their names on the label. The most famous of these being Rasteau, Cairanne and Beaumes de Venises.
