Some things just make sense together. Peanut butter and jelly, for example. Cereal and milk. Bonfires and cozy sweaters. And, for hundreds of years, Côtes du Rhône wines and Comté cheese.
Each French region boasts a distinctive terroir that is directly reflected in the products it creates. Connected by the Rhône River, Comté and Côtes du Rhône share more than just a body of water — each heralds a similar set of values rooted in history, tradition, and love for the planet. To top it off, each bears Europe’s prestigious Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) label. Only goods that meet a strict set of quality standards, epitomize their geography, utilize generational knowledge, and incorporate local products can earn this distinction.
The standout tastes of Comté cheese and Côtes du Rhône wines are not left to chance. Both products’ traditional agriculture and production methods have been carefully passed down through generations of family farmers. Often, they rely heavily on local, sustainable practices that focus on preserving the biodiversity of each region, allowing the terroir to shine through.
On this episode of the “VinePair Podcast,” Zach sits down with dairy farmer Jean-François Marmier and winemaker Raphael Pommier to discuss the interconnected legacies of Comté and Côtes du Rhône.
