The Côte Roannaise is a little-known appellation of the southern Loire valley, close to the river’s source near Lyon. Domaine Sérol is the leading estate here, situated on gentle slopes of sandy-granite soils where the Gamay grape, more usually associated with Beaujolais, does incredibly well. Winemaker Stéphane Sérol consistently produces plump, fragrant reds unsurprisingly not dissimilar to the style of a good Beaujolais-Villages but even brighter. These are best served lightly chilled and are refreshingly vibrant in style.
