Seeing Red
 Following recent crazes for rosé and sparkling wines, now red wines are back in fashion and set to be the next big thing among UK consumers. As a first inkling of things to come and according to a recent issue of the drinks trade’s weekly ‘bible’ Harpers, the predominantly red wine producing region of Côtes du Rhône has become, for the first time in its history, the largest selling French wine region in UK supermarkets.
Following the growing popularity of one of its dominant grape varieties, Syrah (or Shiraz), Côtes du Rhône is likely to soon become a household name. The Syrah grape variety produces full bodied wines with a peppery-spice character, balanced by blackberry fruit and hints of dark chocolate and is a firm favourite with the UK wine shopper.
The popularity of Syrah based reds also shows that UK consumers are developing a more adventurous palate. Many consumers, having been introduced to wines through the New World (Australia, South Africa, Chile, etc), are now experimenting with wines such as these from France and finding that they really fit the bill.
Wines from Côtes du Rhône have become fruitier in style and more modern over recent years, as many winemakers from the region have focused on creating a style that appeals specifically to UK consumers. An exchange programme between Côtes du Rhône and Barossa Valley in Australia, which has been running for the past five years, has further contributed to a revived style of reds from this exciting and forward-thinking French region.
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