what makes A “humble” wine? This question came to my mind recently when I read—for the fifteenth time—a reference to a “polite” Ctes du Rhne wine. Is it because Ctes du Rhone are inexpensive and often made in large quantities that they are saddled with this sad adjective? Whatever the reason, humble is not the word I use to describe some of the 14 reds and whites I tasted recently, all from the excellent 2020 vintage.
While the name Ctes du Rhne suggests a single wine or wine type, there is a wide range of Ctes du Rhne wines in terms of style, color and geographic location. The Ctes du Rhne communes (designated areas) are scattered throughout the Rhne valley, with some very close to well-known areas such as Cornes and Châteauneuf-du-Pape.