Areas spreading over 95 communes (village administrative areas) of which 19 commune names can be used on the label.
The soil types are the same as in the Côtes du Rhône A.O.C., but the climate and soil criteria accepted are far more strict, due to the production rules for this Appellation. As a rule, stony argilo-calcaireous soils produce full bodied "complex" wines, deeply coloured with a powerful bouquet. Dry stony soils produce more refined wines, renowned for elegance, finesse and fruitiness.
Area under cultivation*: 10,239 hectares of which 3,641 hectares are Côtes du Rhône Villages and 6,598 are Côtes du Rhône Villages (Named villages).
Yield for Côtes du Rhône Villages: 35 hl/hectare.
Yield for Côtes du Rhône Villages (Named villages): 34 hl/hectare.
Grape variety mix**: for the reds, Grenache 50% minimum, Syrah and / or Mourvèdre 20% minimum, other grape varieties tolerated within the Appellation, 20% maximum.
For the rosé Grenache 50% minimum, Syrah and / or Mourvèdre 20% minimum, other grape varieties tolerated 20% maximum, white grape varieties 20% maximum (Grenache, Clairette, Marsanne, Roussanne, Bourboulenc and Viognier).
For the whites, Grenache white, Clairette white, Marsanne white, Roussanne white, Bourboulenc white, Viognier white, other white grape varieties tolerated 20% maximum.
Minimum alcoholic strength: for the Côtes du Rhône Villages red, rosé and whites 12%.
