Few wines in all my buying categories bring me as much joy as the humble Côtes du Rhône. From reds to whites, these wines offer some of the best daily drinking at prices that still defy the market. Each of the producers featured here are small, family-run estates, and what they put in the glass for the cost simply transcends everything else in the category. Many are certified sustainable and/or organic, emphasizing care in both vineyard and cellar.
Read MoreIn the five years since we added Château Gigognan to our Direct Import portfolio, I’ve watched this estate evolve into a truly impressive producer. When I last visited in 2022, I saw they’d made some exciting physical improvements: they’d added a new barrel-aging facility to augment their concrete fermenters, and they’d put the finishing touches on their new visitor center. Surrounded by the lovely Bois des Moines vineyards, whose fruit goes into their Côtes du Rhône, this is property that showcases the beauty of Provence in full force. But most importantly, its terroir really speaks through its wines.
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