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Côtes du Rhône invites Brits to rediscover the region

25 March 2024 By James Evison

Côtes du Rhône is calling on the UK wine trade and consumers to rediscover the region in 2024 as it releases the details of its events throughout the year.

There will be a large number of opportunities for both professionals in the wine trade and consumers to get to know about the region’s reds, rosés and whites of the Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages AOCs:

Agenda:

‘Along the Rhône’ tasting event of Côtes du Rhône and Crus – Tuesday 26th March – Trade
Foodies’ festival Cardiff – 10th to 12th May – Consumers
Taste of London – Wednesday 12th to Sunday 16th June – Consumers
“Rhône in White” party including Côtes du Rhône wines – Tuesday 25th June – Trade
Foodies’ festival Tatton park – 12th to 14th July – Consumers
Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages Master Class in Birmingham – Monday 23rd September – Trade

21 March 2024

Côtes du Rhône is once again taking its wines across the UK to give consumers and professionals the chance to taste the quality and diversity that the region has to offer, as well as discovering new and up and coming producers.

Its 2024 communications campaign has been created to give people the chance to experience Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhônes Villages AOCs in many ways throughout the year.

The challenge for the region in 2024 and beyond will be to change preconceived ideas about the colour and freshness of Côtes du Rhône wines. The UK market is the third largest market for Côtes du Rhône wines and British consumers are discerning wine drinkers looking for the best value for money. That’s why Côtes du Rhône wines have always been so popular with professionals and consumers alike.

Two of the many distinctive features of these wines are the diversity of the terroir and the art of blending. This explains the wide range of aromas and textures, but also the subtlety of this appellation, it said.

Events in detail

‘Along the Rhône’ tasting event of Côtes du Rhône and Crus – Tuesday 26 March – for trade

Côtes du Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages & Crus will be hosting its annual wine trade tasting event on 26 March 2024 at OXO Tower, SE1. This event will invite attendees to travel from the North to the Southern Côtes du Rhône Family region in a tasting of 100 Côtes du Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC wines, and crus appellations wines from the AOC Saint Péray, Crozes-Hermitage, Vacqueyras, Tavel and Beaumes de Venise.

During the tasting, there will be the opportunity to taste wines from the region’s rising stars, established and lesser-known producers from entry level all the way to benchmark fine wines. Matt Walls, Rhône Valley expert, will be in attendance to both host a masterclass on the Crus and lead a discussion ‘at the bar’ on Biodynamic and organic wines in AOC Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages.

As we continue into the year and wanting to ensure they’re reaching the whole of the UK, Côtes du Rhône will be hosting wine tastings at numerous events across the UK, including the two of the popular Foodies Festival (Cardiff and Tatton) as well as Taste of London.

Foodies Festival Cardiff – 10 to 12 May – for consumers

During the festival there will be 2 masterclasses for one hundred participants hosted by Heather Dougherty, where attendees will get to enjoy 4-5 wines from the Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages – to better understand the versatility of the wines from these appellations.

Taste of London – 12th to 16th June – for consumers

The ultimate celebration of food and drink in London, Taste of London attracts more the 55,000 people to sample the very best producers have to offer. During the festival there will be x4 masterclasses for 100 participants hosted by Ruchira Neotia, where attendees will get to enjoy 4-5 wines from the Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages – to gain an understanding other versatility of wines from these appellations.

“Rhône in White” party including Côtes du Rhône wines – Tuesday 25 June – for trade

As we step into summer, the “Rhône in White” party including Côtes du Rhône wines, will return on 25th June, venue to be confirmed. This event celebrates a unique opportunity to get ahead in this ‘hidden gem’ wine category, and influencer the next generation of AOC Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages white wine drinkers. Understanding and learning how these white wines are perfectly authentic, food friendly and crafted from a variety of famous and lesser-known grape varieties. With over 20 appellations being represented, there will be a wide range of wines from weekday classics to prestigious fresh wines – something for everyone to enjoy and explore at this unique White Party tasting.

Foodies’s Festival Tatton Park – 12 to 14 July – for consumers

Heading to Cheshire for a summer food and drink extravaganza, Foodies Festival Tatton will host its biggest celebration yet.

During the festival there will be x2 masterclasses for 100 participants hosted by Heather Dougherty, where attendees will get to enjoy 4-5 wines from the Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages – to gain an understanding other versatility of wines from these appellations.

Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages Master Class in Birmingham – 23 September – for trade

A specialist masterclass, hosted by Rhône ambassador Matt Walls, (Birmingham 23rd September 2024) which will pay specific attention to Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages wines, showcasing the fantastic value Family wineries, heritage grapes and sustainable practices. These may be broadly deemed as the most accessible wines in the Rhône Valley, thanks to their affordable price tags, but that doesn’t mean they are lacking in quality. Attendees will discover which producers are the ones to watch, the innovation in the appellation and the hidden gems to try before anyone else.

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