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Keeping up with new wine names "The hillsides of the Rhone," the rolling, scenic agricultural region near historic Avignon that marks the edge of Provence (the countryside depicted in Peter Mayle's popular books), is a land of sunlight and herbs that show up in its food and, at least metaphorically, in its wines. And while the big-name Rhone wines like Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Hermitage may win the greatest respect (and command the highest prices), the river of good, everyday and affordable wine from the region is well worth our attention. The simplest, basic wine is dubbed simply "Cotes-du-Rhone," and it is usually a light and fruity red intended for early drinking, not unlike Beaujolais. (White Cotes-du-Rhone is also made, but it is relatively uncommon, so let's talk about the reds, which may be made from any of the 13 grape varieties permitted in Chateauneuf-du-Pape but most often are based on Grenache and sometimes Syrah.) Cotes-du-Rhone Villages is a step up in quality, made from grapes grown in and around specific towns traditionally known for their better wines, and held to a higher standard by regulations that limit the poundage of grapes that may be coaxed from a vineyard acre and that set minimum standards for the wine's alcoholic content and other technical criteria. Finally, standing out from the rest, a number of specific villages in Cotes-du-Rhone are permitted to use the local name on the label; and this number has increased in the past 10 years or so, adding a few more geographical words to the glossary that serious wine lovers should memorize in our quest for the next good glass. The first Cotes-du-Rhone villages to achieve this "appellation" status were Gigondas and then Vacqueyras, both of which now enjoy a reputation as good, somewhat less expensive alternatives to Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Recently, two more Rhone villages have started to draw a lot of attention: Cairanne and Rasteau. Both of these villages can produce standout wines, with Rasteau making some remarkably sturdy and tannic reds that require long aging and that almost remind me of Hermitage; the Cairannes I've tasted are more accessible when young but show real elegance and balance that distinguishes them from "simple" Cotes-du-Rhone. Have you tried these or other wines from named Cotes-du-Rhone villages? I would be interested to hear your reactions to them. Drop me an E-mail note at wine@wineloverspage.com if you would like to talk about it. I regret that the growing circulation of the "Wine Advisor" makes it difficult for me to reply individually to every note, but I'll answer as many as I can; and please be assured that all your input helps me do a better job of writing about wine. We hope you'll invite your wine-loving friends to register for their own free weekly copy at http://www.wineloverspage.com/wineadvisor.
From the Cotes du Rhone 
Chateau du Trignon 1998 Côtes du Rhône ($9.99)Slightly hazy ruby red, with grapey, peppery fruit aromas and a fresh and jammy flavor full of big, ripe fruit and fragrant, freshly ground black pepper. A simple, gulpable quaff, not a fancy wine but a delicious one, full of the sunshine of Provence. U.S. importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, Calif. (Aug. 19, 2000)
Domaine Brusset 1998 Côtes du Rhône Villages Cairanne ($13.99)
FOOD MATCH: Both these wines made an extremely good match with grilled lamb-leg steaks marinated before cooking in another Cotes-du-Rhone with lots of garlic and black pepper.
Domaine de Beaurenard 1998 Côtes du Rhône Villages Rasteau ($14.99)
FOOD MATCH: Good with the assertive flavors of a pork and summer-vegetable couscous.
Chateau du Trignon 1998 Côtes du Rhône Villages Rasteau ($17.99)
FOOD MATCH: A spicy Cuban-style dish of pork braised with onions brings this youthful wine around.
Best 'undiscovered' wine region?
California Wine Club
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