Côtes du Rhône Claude Mercier 1966
The 1966 Côtes du Rhône from Claude Mercier is a French wine originating from the historic Rhône Valley, a region where viticulture dates back to Roman times. The valley is geographically divided into two distinct parts: the northern section characterized by steep slopes, and the warmer southern area.
Côtes du Rhône is a large regional appellation that encompasses the entire valley, stretching across 171 communes in six departments from Vienne in the north to Avignon in the south. Granted Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée status in 1937, it stands as France's second-largest AOC. The terroir across this expansive area varies dramatically, featuring everything from granite soils in the north to limestone, clay, and pebble gravel in the south.
The appellation produces red, rosé, and white wines, with a strong emphasis on red production. These are typically based on Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, supplemented by Cinsault, Carignan, and other permitted grape varieties. This 1966 Appellation Contrôlée release was historically distributed in Italy by CONAL, based in Turin, who served as the exclusive importers and general agents for the Italian market.
The history of the wine
Below, you can delve into the history of this wine — its producer, grape, area, and region.
Côtes du Rhône
The Rhône Valley in south-eastern France has grown wine since Roman times. The region falls into two parts: the northern section with steep slopes, where Syrah produces deep wines in Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage, and the warmer south, where Grenache-based blends culminate in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The wines are spicy and powerful with dark berries, pepper and garrigue herbs.
When this wine was made, the world looked very different. Here are some of the stories that unfolded while this bottle quietly aged in its cellar.
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How it handles
you your wine
Storage
Store the bottle horizontally at 12–14°C and avoid direct sunlight, vibrations, and temperature fluctuations.
Opening
Allow the bottle to stand upright for 24–48 hours before opening to allow sediment to settle. Use a professional corkscrew and open carefully.
Enjoyment
Serve at 17–18°C and be patient – there is a great difference in how and how quickly wines open up when they are aerated.
GUIDE TO THE GOOD WINE EXPERIENCE
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