Which term describes hillside orientation in French wine terminology?

• A. Côte, Coteaux
• B. Montagne
• C. Côte
• D. Vallée

Answer: (C)

The hillside orientation is described by the term Côte because it literally means a slope or hillside—the feature that defines where the vines are planted and how they face the sun. This orientation, along a hillside, strongly influences sun exposure, drainage, and microclimate, shaping the wine’s character. In Burgundy and other French regions you see Côte in place names like Côte d'Or to mark the hillside belt where vines grow. While côteaux also refers to slopes, it’s plural and used more generally for hillside terrain, whereas Côte specifically denotes a hillside feature. The other options describe different landscapes—mountain or valley—so they don’t capture the concept of hillside orientation.