Southern Rhone Flashcards

Question

Chateau Rayas- Region of Production

Answer 1

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Answer 2

Chateaunerf-du-Pape

Answer 3

Owned and operated by the Reynaud family, Château Rayas is currently run by fourth generation Emmanuel Reynaud. The family’s holdings include Château Rayas, Château des Tours and Château de Fonsalette. Within the Rayas property, there are 10 hectares of red grape plantings, devoted exclusively to Grenache. These 10 hectares support their two red Châteauneuf bottlings: Rayas and Pignan. They have two other hectares planted to Clairette and Grenache Blanc, from which they make a Châteauneuf du Pape blanc. Finally, they produce a Côtes du Rhône rouge called La Pialade, made from Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah.

Answer 4

Approx. 12 hectares

Answer 5

2,400 cases

Answer 6

Pignan: 100% Grenache Réservé Rouge: 100% Grenache Réservé Blanc: Clairette and Grenache Blanc

Answer 7

1920 was the first bottling under the estate name, Rayas

Answer 8

A very traditional winemaking estate, Château Rayas ferments their red and white wines without de-stemming. Wines are fermented for around two weeks in concrete vats, then aged for a year in used barrels of varying sizes.

Answer 9

Chateaunerf-du-Pape

Answer 10

Chateaunerf-du-Pape

Answer 11

Although not officially “established” until 1987, the history of Domaine du Pegau extends back into the 17th century. Pegau was previously known as Domaine Féraud before it was re-dubbed Domaine du Pegau by Paul Féraud and his daughter, Laurence. This helps to explain why 1983 was the first vintage of Cuvée Laurence, four years before they officially founded Domaine du Pegau. The domaine is considered a very traditional producer, with wines that are crafted for long-term aging. The proportions for all their red wines are the same: 85% Grenache, 9% Syrah, 4% Mourvèdre and 2% other varieties.

Answer 12

Approximately 19.5 ha

Answer 13

7,500 cases

Answer 14

Cuvée Réservée (Blanc and Rouge) Cuvée Laurence Cuvée Da Capo: single-barrel selection of Cuvée Réservée Rouge, produced in just five vintages to date Cuvée Inspiration

Answer 15

1983 for Cuvée Laurence; 1985 for Cuvée Réservée; 1998 for Cuvée Da Capo

Answer 16

A traditional producer, Domaine du Pegau does not de-stem or use any filtration. The wines are fermented in concrete tanks and aged in old foudres for about 18 months.

Answer 17

Name adopted in 2010 for an extensive (1,361 ha/3,362 acre) appellation on the eastern fringes of the southern rhône for mainly red wines. (Its original name, Coteaux du Tricastin, was abandoned because it was too readily associated with a nearby nuclear power plant.) Although the climate here is definitively mediterranean, the higher vineyards and more exposed terrain produce rather lighter wines than those of the Côtes-du-Rhône which they resemble. The best wine comes from sheltered, south-facing slopes, but acidity levels are usually noticeable beneath the superficial warmth of the southern vine variety perfume. The region was substantially redeveloped by pieds noirs returning from North Africa in the late 1960s. Large areas of scrub were cleared and planted with southern Rhône vine varieties. Grenache and Syrah are the principal vine varieties grown. Of the permitted white varieties, Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier may also be included. The wines are similar to those of the much larger ventoux appellation to the immediate south, which was also promoted to full appellation contrôlée status in 1973.

Answer 18

Wine region promoted to aoc status in 1999 on the right bank of the rhône immediately opposite grignan-les-adhémar in the wild and beguiling Ardèche. Widely dispersed vineyards on mainly limestone soils in a much cooler and wetter climate than the rest of the southern Rhône had fallen to 321 ha/793 acres by 2013. Most of the wine is light reds and rosés from Grenache and Syrah. A small amount of white is made, mainly from, Grenache Blanc. Production is dominated by co-operatives, whose more profitable business may be producing varietal igp Ardèche from international varieties.

Answer 19

Follow the river! Along the length of its winding waters and gentle banks, Côte du Rhône vineyards thrive across 171 rich and varied terroirs and vineyards, all bathed in the same bountiful sun. Take the time to explore them: their variety and distinctive characters are sure to surprise. Among them, unsuspected gems await discovery... The vineyards of AOC Côtes du Rhône work in harmony with a single same aim: to give you the best wines, from culture to assembly. And one thing is sure: the wines of this AOC are predominantly red, and all of them are generous, fine, pleasant, and spiced.

Answer 20

21 grape varieties are officially included in the appellation. While the climate and the soil has conditioned the vines, the resulting clean properties, finesse, and rich assembly are primarily the result of the winemakers’ hard work. The reason behind their hard work? To instill, within each bottle, perfect balance and harmony. In the red wines, Grenache, the base variety, brings fruity flavours, warmth, and body. Syrah and Mourvèdre give the wine their spicy aromas, and a colour and structure suitable for ageing. Cinsault adds to the wine’s finesse and is perfect for nouveau wines that are sold in the same year they are harvested and rosés. The white wines marry aromas and freshness through the assembly of different grape varieties such as Bourboulenc, Grenache blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne, Clairette, and/or Viognier. Once again at the behest of the winemakers, the Appellation was modified in 1996 with the aim of consolidating the character of the Côtes du Rhône’s wines. For red and rosé wines, Grenache must constitute at least 40% of the grapes (except for wines in the northern area made using Syrah). Likewise, for white wines, 80% of the grapes must be made up of Grenache blanc, Clairette, Marsanne, Roussanne, Bourboulenc, and Viognier. The grape harvest: this traditional festival brings both banks of the Rhône together as well as the towns that lie along them from Switzerland to the Camargue, and Vienne in Avignon. The grape harvest has become a traditional festival that has been taken to heart by the residents of Avignon and neighbouring regions, and is of course popular with the many tourists still around over this period.

Answer 21

A genuine Roman “river”. The Rhône Valley has always been a convenient corridor between the Mediterranean and Northern or Atlantic Europe. Significant archaeological finds have been unearthed in the region, establishing the Côtes du Rhône as one of the world’s first wine producing regions. In 125 BC, the Romans founded the town and vineyards of Vienne. They planted vines and built the walls that protect the terraces, making the region one of the most beautiful in all Narbonese Gaul, the Roman province stretching from the Mediterranean in the south to the Alps and the Cévennes in the north and west. In the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance, wine production is detailed in various documents, and the 17th and 18th centuries saw the region’s wine production flourish and the vineyard began to export its wines. In the 15th century, one of the Viguerie d’Uzés’ administrative courts was named “Coste du Rhône”, and produced well-known wines. In 1650, regulations were introduced to ensure that the wine was genuine and to preserve its quality. A royal decree in 1737 stated that all barrels destined for sale or transport must be branded with the letters “C.D.R”. But it was not until the 19th century that the Côte du Rhône became the Côtes du Rhône, when it extended to include the vineyards on the Rhône’s left-bank. It’s reputation, centuries in the making, was confirmed by the Tournon and Uzés District Court in 1936. Propelled by Baron Le Roy – a bold visionary – this reputation was consolidated and in 1937 took the form of Côtes du Rhône AOC (Registered Designation of Origin). In 2004, the Côtes du Rhône appellation encompassed 10 new areas suitable for the production of Côtes du Rhône AOC (nine in Gard and one in Vaucluse).

Answer 22

The appellation’s vineyards extend from Vienne to Avignon. The Côtes du Rhône appellation includes 171 counties across 6 different departments (Ardèche, Drôme, Gard, Loire, Rhône, and Vaucluse), covering an area of 44,000 hectares.

Answer 23

Mediterranean climate. Nourished by the cleansing Mistral wind, the vineyard enjoys an exceptional climate with four distinct seasons: two dry seasons (one short winter dry season and a longer one in summer), and two rainy seasons (one in autumn with very high rainfall, and another in spring). Summer is hot and dry, owing to climbing subtropical anticyclones, interspersed with sometimes violent storms. Winters are mild. Precipitation is infrequent and snow is rare.

Answer 24

The regional appellation includes five main soil types. The pebbly soil of the clayey earth, stony soils, and stony spread soils (on inclines) provide the vines with a regular water supply, and throughout the night they continue to radiate the heat stored by the rocks during the day. The earth is especially suited to the production of wines intended for ageing. Loess and sandy soils provide a contrasting water supply. They are better suited to white and rosé wines, as well as lighter reds.

Answer 25

Produced in the southern part of the Ardèche, in a bucolic setting where vines rub shoulders with olive trees and holm oak (ilex), Côtes du Vivarais wines reflect their terroir: rugged and warm-hearted. The vines draw their sustenance from the Plateau des Gras, carved in two by the spectacular gorges of the Ardèche river, in the undulating landscape of the Grands Causses. Eroded for more than 15,000 years by underground watercourses, the ground conceals a wealth of subterranean wonders: caves, avens (chasms) and bubbling springs… The Aven d’Orgnac, one of the largest natural cavities in the world, was declared a Grand Site de France in 2004. Concerned to safeguard these wonderful gifts of nature, and always striving for quality, the wine-growers of the Côtes du Vivarais invite you to discover their warm and generous wines…

Answer 26

The grape varieties used in making Côtes du Vivarais AOC wines are as follows. Reds: Grenache and Syrah; rosés: Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault; whites: Clairette, Grenache blanc and Marsanne. The appellation’s red wines are characterised by black-berry-fruit and spicy flavours, fairly robust tannins and a pleasing freshness. Their character derives from the Grenache grape, which provides structure, while Syrah adds a more spicy note. The different vintages vary in terms of colour (deep red, purple) and flavour. The fresh rosés, made from the same grape varieties as the reds, are a deep pink in colour and have persistent flavours, thanks to the presence of Grenache. The Marsanne and Grenache blanc varieties gives the appellation’s whites a surprising freshness and mineral quality.

Answer 27

There is evidence that vines were grown in this area between the Rhone and the Cévennes by the Gaulish Helvien tribe, more than 2000 years ago. However, viticulture did not develop on a large scale until the Middle Ages. At the end of the 16th century, Olivier de Serres, the father of modern agronomy, praised the wines of the Vivarais as being “so precious and delicate that there is no need to seek elsewhere”. The many hardy grape varieties grown in the area, resistant to diseases and frost, ensured that local production was abundant and a sound economic proposition. In the early 20th century, the growers banded together to establish cooperative wineries, which still continue to process the bulk of the crop. In the late 1950s, a handful of growers took up the challenge of improving the quality of their wines. The vineyards were replanted with “noble” varieties suited to the character of the soil: Grenache noir and Syrah for reds, Grenache blanc and Marsanne for whites. The hard work of the Ardèche wine-growers resulted in their wines being awarded the Vin Délimité de Qualité Supérieure (VDQS) appellation in 1962. Then in 1999, their talents and persistence were rewarded when Côtes du Vivarais wines were granted Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) status.

Answer 28

The Côtes-du-Vivarais AOC vineyards lie on the Plateau des Gras, on either side of the Ardèche gorges, at an altitude of 250 metres. The official growing area extends over 14 communes, nine of them in the Ardèche and five in the Gard département.

Answer 29

Mediterranean with a continental tendency, influenced by the mistral.

Answer 30

Shallow marls or limestone. An abundance of stones, which absorb the heat of the sun, ensure that the vines benefit from early warming in springtime, while at night they continue to enjoy the warmth stored up during the day.

Answer 31

The Grignan-les-Adhémar AOC growing area lies to the south of Montélimar, covering areas of garrigues on the left bank of the Rhone. Planted among fields of lavender and thyme or olive groves, on land long famous for its truffles, the vines soak up the scents and aromas distilled by the generous sun of the Drôme provençale… A further attraction of this well-favoured region is its fine architectural heritage. Castles, chapels, ramparts, suspension bridges, wash-houses and statues are common features of a landscape imbued with history and spirituality… Grignan, dear to Mme de Sévigné, who settled there for the latter part of her life, radiates elegance, harmony and taste. Grown midway between the northern and southern reaches of the Rhone Valley, Grignan les Adhémar wines exhibit a fine balance between the easy-drinking qualities of the Grenache grape and the power of Syrah… Their style, developed over the years, has earned them a reputation as wines of bewitching appeal.

Answer 32

Grignan les Adhémar red wines are made from blends of Syrah, Grenache, Carignan, Mourvèdre and Cinsault grapes. Marselan, which contributes fruity/spicy notes, has recently been added to the official palette of varieties. Ranging from bright ruby to deep red, with highlights of purple or garnet, these wines develop a nose of mild spice, red and black-berry fruits, liquorice and garrigue. Some express floral, oaky and toasty notes. Vintages composed predominantly of Syrah can be aged for up to ten years. The rosés, made from Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Mourvèdre and Cinsault, are obtained by pressing or by the “saignée” method (drawing off pink juice from a vat in which red wine is being vinified). Fruity and elegant , with both fresh and warm-hearted nuances and a positive tendency to linger on the palate, they account for 20% of total production. They should be drunk within a year of bottling. The whites, uncommon but promising, are made from varieties well suited to the garrigue environment: Marsanne (which contributed aromatic intensity and elegance), Roussanne (for its stylishness, complexity and fine balance), Bourboulenc (for vitality), Clairette (for its freshness and appley flavours), Grenache blanc (for persistence in the mouth and rounded mellowness) and Viognier (for its complex and powerful flavours of peach, apricot, honey and spices). Drunk young, they have an admirable freshness; as they age, they develop a more mineral quality.

Answer 33

Vines were first planted at Grignan-les-Adhémar by the Phoenicians in the 5th century BC. The region was then developed by the Romans, becoming one of the most prosperous wine-growing areas in classical and post-classical Gaul. This was thanks largely to the Rhone, which provided an essential communications and transport artery. The vineyards found a new lease of life in the 1960s. When they were given VDQS (Vin Délimité de Qualité Supérieure) status in 1964, they covered a mere 365 hectares, as compared with 2,500 a hundred years earlier! They obtained AOC status on 27 July 1973, as “Coteaux du Tricastin”, an appellation changed to Grignan les Adhémar in 2010.

Answer 34

The Grignan-les-Adhémar production area lies on the left bank of the Rhone, between the regions of Dauphiné and Provence, stretching from Montélimar as far as Saint Paul Trois Châteaux. The well-wooded landscapes still bear traces of the areas agricultural past, when a variety of crops were grown.

Answer 35

Mediterranean, influenced by the mistral.

Answer 36

Of great geological diversity, giving birth to an infinite variety of wines. The sub-soil consists mainly of clayey limestone or sand, but the surface stratum varies from area to area. There are four distinct geological formations within the official growing area: * Round pebbles, rolled and worn smooth by the Rhone. The wines grown on these soils are characterised by their complexity, generosity and wealth of expression. * The high terraces of the Rhone (150 to 200 metres), clayey-limestone soils, surrounded by verdant hills. These geological formation produce wines of elegance and smoothness, combined with power. * Very stony soils or ‘graves’ (stony soils made up of river bed gravel of the past) .These clay soils produce wines with robust tannins, deep in colour. * Alluvial terraces along the banks of the Rhone. The wines grown on these soils are characterised by their elegance and smoothness on the palate.

Answer 37

Steep roads and stunning views… in getting to Rousset-les-Vignes, you are taking very much the same route at Hannibal did when he approached the Alps on his way from Spain to Italy! Clinging to the Lance mountain massif, this village is in fact one of the most northerly in the southern Côtes du Rhône region. With only sixty or so of its 300 hectares of vineyards in production, it is also one of the region’s best-kept secrets. Already in the 15th century, the local land register indicated soils suitable for wine-growing, a sign of the area’s potential. Geologists have since shed a more scientific light on the matter. The zaffer hills on which the vines grow consist of a mixture of sand and fossilised seashells, deposited by the sea eighteen million years ago. These light soils yield fruity red wines, smooth with supple tannins. Wines made from grapes from the top of the slope are fuller-bodied and more robustly structured. They are blends of the Côtes du Rhône’s star varieties : Grenache noir, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. The appellation’s grenadine-coloured rosés are redolent of red-berry fruits.

Answer 38

The blends of grapes used in making the appellation’s red wines must consist mainly of Grenache, supplemented by at least 20% Syrah and/or Mourvèdre. They are dense and deep in colour, with distinctive peach and apricot flavours, developing notes of leather and truffle as they age. The rosés must contain a minimum of 50% Grenache grapes, supplemented by 20% Syrah and/or Mourvèdre. White grape varieties (Grenache, Clairette, Marsanne, Roussanne, Bourboulenc and Viognier) must not account for more than 20% of the mix. They will keep for between two and four years, depending on the wine-making process (saignée method or pressing). In the case of Rousset-les-Vignes whites, the Grenache blanc, Clairette blanche, Marsanne blanche, Roussanne blanche, Bourboulenc blanc and Viognier blanc grape varieties must account for at least 80% of the blend. The minimum alcohol content for the appellation’s red wines is 12.5%, for the rosés and whites 12%.

Answer 39

The fact that Greek pitchers (oenochoe) and pseudo-Ionian wine jars have been found in the area suggests that wine was drunk around here between the mid-6th and 4th centuries BC. Remarkably, the shapes of these vessels exhibit strong Gaulish influences (hull-shaped drinking cups). In the 11th century, the Benedictine monks of Saint-Pantaléon-les- Vignes built a monumental priory here, backing onto the Lance massif, and began planting vines on the sandstone hillsides. As early as the 15th century, the land register reported several different soil types in the area, an exceptional practice, indicative of a long-standing concern for quality. The area’s wines were accorded the Côtes du Rhône Villages Rousset les Vignes appellation in 1969.

Answer 40

The vineyards all lie in the commune of Rousset les Vignes, in the département of Drôme.

Answer 41

Mediterranean type, protected from the mistral by the rugged landscape.

Answer 42

Steep slopes on gravelly sandstone hillsides.

Answer 43

Vines have been grown in this little village for many centuries. To stress this fact, in 1918 the local council voted to add the words “les vignes” to the village title. To get to Saint-Pantaléon, head for the Drôme region of Provence, where lavender and olive trees are the dominant features of the landscape. The vineyards, just 400 hectares of them, lie at the foot of the Montagne de la Lance, which protects them from the prevailing winds. West-facing, they capture the last rays of the setting sun. The result is that the grapes ripen slowly and steadily, ensuring a harmonious concentration of flavours. Planted in clayey soils, the vines yield smooth, stylish wines, fruity and well balanced. The rosés are smooth and well rounded, with woodland-fruit flavours and some floral notes. The much rarer whites are of similar style. In September, you can attend the “Ban des Vendanges” ceremony, at which the oldest and the youngest wine-growers, assisted by a magistrate, decide on the date when the grape harvest shall begin. A tradition which dates back 200 years.

Answer 44

The strength of the appellation’s wine lies in well-balanced blending. The main grape varieties used are Grenache, vigorous and high-yielding, which can withstand strong winds and drought and gives the wine body, as well as fruity and spicy flavours… and Syrah, which is also rich in flavours and strong on tannins. Red wines are made from a minimum of 50% Grenache and at least 20% Syrah and/or Mourvèdre. Other permitted varieties may not account for more than 20% of the mix. Rosé blends consist of a minimum of 50% Grenache, at least 20% Syrah and/or Mourvèdre, and no more than 20% of other permitted varieties. White grape varieties (Grenache, Clairette, Marsanne, Roussanne, Bourboulenc and Viognier) are restricted to 20%. The whites are composed of Grenache blanc, Clairette blanche, Marsanne blanche, Roussanne blanche, Bourboulenc blanc and Viognier blanc, with 20% of other varieties tolerated. Minimum alcohol content: reds 12.5%, rosés and whites 12%.

Answer 45

Wine has a long history in this area, with evidence of its first being drunk in the mid-6th century BC. Many drinking vessels and wine containers were in fact manufactured in the region. In the 10th century, a Benedictine abbey was built here in the plain. Extensive vineyards were planted around it and a population of peasant farmers and artisans became established, protected by the Cluniac monks. Saint-Pantaléon-Les-Vignes was granted AOC status by decree of the INAO, published in the Official Gazette, in 1969.

Answer 46

The vineyards lie in the commune of Saint-Pantaléon, in the southern part of the Drôme, on the way to Nyons.

Answer 47

Mediterranean, Purified by the Influence of the mistral, the vineyards benefit from an exceptional climate consisting of two dry seasons (a short one in winter and a very long one in summer) and two rainy seasons (one in autumn, when it rains heavily, and one in spring). The summers are hot and dry, influenced by sub-tropical areas of high pressure, and interrupted by sometimes violent storms. The winters are mild, with infrequent rainfall and very little snow.

Answer 48

The terroir consist of clayey-limestone hillsides overlaid with gravel, and some sandy hollows. The vines therefore develop in somewhat rich ground, studded with more or less hard white stones, making for a balanced soil. Easy to work, it is permeable to air and water, the coolness of the clay complemented by the limestone’s good-drainage. The resulting wines are well rounded without being too oily, and without loss of fruity acidity.

Answer 49

After his election to the papacy in Lyon in 1317, John XXII, very sick at the time, tasted a wine from Valréas while on his way to Avignon. It seemed to give him a new lease of life and he was soon restored to health. To secure his supply of this wine, he purchased the town from the Dauphin du Viennois. This acquisition also gave him a strong position between his own territories of Avignon and the Comtat Venaissin, and the lands held by the Dauphins of Viennois and the Counts of Provence, vindictive and touchy neighbours in those troubled times. Later, he also acquired the towns of Richerenches and Visan, carving out a papal enclave. For this reason, Valréas still bears the title of capital of the “Enclave des Papes”, and remains a canton of the Vaucluse département, though completely surrounded by the Drôme. Its vineyards owe their special distinction, which so charmed Pope John, to the exposure of the local hillsides, which are north and west-facing and lie at altitude. The predominantly clayey soils therefore retain their coolness and humidity and are less prone to drought than those which experience the full force of the sun. Another factor which gives the wine its special quality is the stream of cold air descending from the Alpine foothills, which cools the vines. The result is that Valréas red wines delight the palate with flavours of red berry fruits, raspberry, gooseberry and blackcurrant, are silky smooth, elegant and fresh, and have good keeping properties. The whites are full-bodied and aromatic; the rosés pleasantly fruity.

Answer 50

The grape blends used for making AOC red wines must contain a minimum of 50% Grenache, together with at least 20% Syrah and/or Mourvèdre. These wines keep well and can be aged for more than ten years. Where rosés are concerned, the main constituent must be Grenache, supplemented by at least 20% Syrah and/or Mourvèdre. White grape varieties (Grenache, Clairette, Marsanne, Roussanne, Bourboulenc and Viognier) may not account for more than 20% of the mix. These are very pleasant “vins de table”, best drunk in their first year. The appellation’s white wines must contain at least 80% of the following varieties: Grenache blanc, Clairette blanche, Marsanne blanche, Roussanne blanche, Bourboulenc blanc, Viognier blanc. They, too, are fresh, fruity wines, to be drunk young. The minimum alcohol content for the red wines of the appellation is 12.5%, while for the rosés and whites it is 12%.

Answer 51

The area has undoubtedly been settled since the Gallo-Roman period, as evidenced by fragments of sculpture and tombs found in the vicinity. Valréas was founded in the 9th century, at the beginning of Charlemagne’s reign. A certain Valère established an estate on the banks of the Coronne, where the town now stands. Over time, this large estate was joined with the neighbouring priory of Saint Vincent, the patron saint of viticulture, giving rise to the first settlement on this site. Pope John XXII then acquired the estate from Humbert de Montauban in 1317. Legend has it that, returning from Lyon after his election to the papacy, the Pope was restored to health on drinking some wine from Valréas. He therefore decided to annexe this territory, which had wrought the miracle. Thus Valréas became the capital of the Enclave des Papes, a title which it retained until the French Revolution. The Valréas vineyards were accorded Côtes du Rhône Villages status in 1967.

Answer 52

The wine-growing area lies in the commune of Valréas, in the département of Vaucluse.

Answer 53

Mediterranean type, influenced by winds off Alps.

Answer 54

Terraced hillsides of red clay, more or less stony.

Answer 55

"Vinsobres or sober wine, drink it soberly": this was the motto of Monseigneur de Suarès (bishop of Vaison and a staunch fan of these wines) in 1633, describing this Cru from Drôme Provençal, a wine that is as balanced as it is aromatic. Passionately cultivated by young winemakers that brought with them new ideas from their travels, Vinsobres wines owe their richness to the assembly of the qualities of richly varied, complementary terroirs. The appellation's soil here are very stony, red to brown in colour, and their warmth allows the vines to flourish early with a high concentration of grapes. Made mainly of Grenache and Syrah, they produce dark red wines with a complex, harmonious nose with spiced flavours that are suitable for ageing.

Answer 56

The Côte du Rhône's traditional grape, Grenache, represents 72.34% of plantations in the area.Syrah, a variety that is particularly successful on the cooler plots, represents 18.23%.Vinsobres balanced wines present silky, elegant tannins, guaranteeing excellent ageing. Fat, round, and long in the mouth, they are generous and full... They give aromas of fresh and cooked fruits. The young wines contain notes of cherry and blackcurrant, evolving into Morello cherry and blackcurrant jam, pepper, herbs, and spices.

Answer 57

A fiefdom of the Montaubans, the dauphins, the Princes of Orange and Urre, Vinsobres was first settled by the Romans.The name Vinsobres comes from Vinzobrio, the oldest recorded version form from 1137.It comes from the pre-Celtic vintio (height), and the Celtic suffix briga (mountain). In 1633, Joseph Marie de Suarès spoke the motto that is today used by all of the terroir's winemakers:"Wine sober or sober wine, drink it soberly". Until 2006 the appellation was part of Côtes du Rhône Villages, when Vinsobres red wine became the first local appellation of Côtes du Rhône in Drôme Provençal.

Answer 58

The appellation covers a mere 5 miles of hillside in Vinsobres, in Drômes Provençal.

Answer 59

Climate with a Mediterranean influence. Summers are hot and dry owing to the high latitude and subtropical anticyclones, and are peppered with occasional violent storms. Vinsobres receives a very high amount of sunshine.

Answer 60

Facing north-east and south-west, and reaching up over 500m, the terroir of the Vinsobres hills is characterized by an enormous diversity of soil: their potential and rich character provide all of the wine's complexity, and their complementary nature produces harmonious wines. Vinsobres is characterized by a distribution of classes with a homogeneous altitude, from 184m to 509m, for an average height of 329m. The AOC's terroir is found between Valréas Miocene sedimentary basin, and that of Aygues basin - the Mediterranean mountain stream that is millions of years old, carrying large clastic rocks from the Alpine slopes. Four types of soil lie atop each other... Between 10m and 50m above the bed of the Aygues, the terroir is made up of moderately sloped shelves or hillsides. Then between 230m and 260m, 260m and 350m, and above 350m: the high hillsides that dominate the alluvial sections are composed of Mid- and Upper Miocene deposits. These marls, or sandy marine and continental marls, are crowned with marls and Miocene conglomerates that are especially rich in base elements. These elements were cut, and then packed during the Pliocene period by conglomerate marls to the north-east of the village. The summits of the hills are made of very stony plateaus.

Answer 61

Vines have been cultivated in the region since the 6th century BC, with viticulture flourishing in the Middle Ages under the impetus of the Church, with the wine becoming known for its quality since the 15th century. The Bishop of Uzès was very proud of his wine, and promised a bottle to young married couples who never argued, giving rise to the proverb “A volon gagna la vigno de mousso d’Uzès” (They are after some of Father Uzès’ wine) that pokes fun at young couples seen as being “too perfect”. The Duché D’Uzès joined the upper crust of the wine world by gaining AOC status in July 2012. The wines are made using the grape varieties found in the Rhone Valley (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Clairette, etc.).

Answer 62

The wines of the Duché d’Uzès are all blended wines. Grenache, Syrah, Viognier, Cinsault, Carignan, or even Mourvèdre and Marsane all release the full flavours that make the Duché d’Uzès wines so distinguished. Aromatic, spiced, and fruity, Duché d’Uzès red wines often bear a hint of liquorice, pepper, and black olive, proudly revealing their southern temperament and shared identity. These powerful wines of a deep red are made using the great Mediterranean grape varieties: mainly Grenache Noir and Syrah, occasionally married to Carignan Noir, Mourvèdre Noir, and Cinsault Noir. Duché d’Uzès rosés present a bouquet of white flowers and red berries and boast a rose petal shade. Their vivid freshness is what makes them so delicious: wine that is a pleasure to drink, dominated by Grenache, blended with Syrah or Cinsault. With their golden colour and powerful bouquet of rich citrus notes, Duché d’Uzès white wines perfect the trinity. Out of these top-quality wines, Viognier and Grenache Blanc are particularly outstanding.

Answer 63

The wines of the Duché d’Uzès: 2000 years of history… In the 6th century BC, the Phoenicians and Greeks first planted vines in the region, a practice continued by the Romans, while in the Middle Ages wine gained a powerful symbolic significance in the eyes of the clergy. Used not only in communion, the bishop’s wines were also a status symbol, and flowed freely into the cups of prestigious guests. In the 15th century, vines were planted on the sun-kissed hillsides reclaimed from the scrubland. At the time, there was talk of an excellent vineyard and “Noble Wines”. Racine, holidaying in Uzès, claimed that the wine was “the best in the kingdom”. Father Uzès’ vineyard: The Promenade des Maronniers and the parkland, once property of the Diocese, were planted with vines. Around 1400, filled with pride for his vineyard, the Bishop looked for a way to share it with the people. He came up with the idea of advertising that “on the 1st of January, I will offer a carafe of white wine to any married couple who completed their full first year of marriage without an argument”. The records are silent as to how many enjoyed this grand gesture! But it did give rise to the French saying “They are after some of Father Uzès’ wine”, used to describe young couples who promise never to argue, and people with grandiose plans for the future. In 1989, the Duché d’Uzès began the process of earning registered designation of origin AOC status. This appellation is not intended to produce vast quantities of wine, but rather a high-end, top-quality wine. This long journey was rewarded with AOC certification in July 2012.

Answer 64

The Duché d’Uzès lies between Nimes and Alès, with the town of Uzès in the east of this area. The area is bordered by the foothills of the Cévennes to the west, the Lussan limestone massif, with the 630 m Mont Bouquet summit, to the north, while vast limestone plateaus and woodland expand out to the east and south, standing between Nimes, Sommières, and the Rhone Valley. The Gardon River, a major local water source, crosses the area from northwest to southeast.

Answer 65

The area enjoys a Mediterranean climate, though slightly gentler due the distance from the coast and the high ground that curbs the maritime influence. The temperature varies more widely than in coastal regions, with the average annual temperature dropping one or two degrees between the southeast and northwest of the area.

Answer 66

The local geology has created a variety of small formations with pockets of sandstone, marl, pebbles, scree, alluvia, hard limestone, etc. These formations are dotted across the landscape, forming the mosaic of soils that are one of the strengths of the Duché d’Uzès vineyard. In 1985, a survey mapped the area’s winemaking potential, finding uniform parcels of land in order to organise planting and optimise the grape varieties used to produce the AOC.

Answer 67

Accorded AOC status in 1986, the southernmost of the Rhone Valley wine-growing areas perfectly exhibits all the characteristics of its Roman history and culture: a relaxed way of life, sophistication, warmth. The vineyards lie to the south east of the city from which they take their name, producing predominantly red wines, as well as some rosés and whites. All derive their character from an exceptional soil (a terrace of gravely pebbles deposited by the rivers Rhone and Durance), the vigour of the Rhone grape varieties, a favourable climate, and the mistral. The appellation’s wines also benefit from implementation of the Costières de Nîmes Landscape and Environmental Charter, an innovative concept to protect and promote wine-growing areas*. Among the measures already undertaken are a “Sustainable Viticulture” charter of good practice appended to the AOC’s terms of reference, an assessment of the vineyards’ biodiversity, the creation of themed short-stay packages, and the waymarking of paths offering outstanding views of the countryside. And, each spring, a special event (Les Vignes Toquées) is held involving a gastronomic tour of the vineyards. Yet another reason to get out and explore the area!

Answer 68

Most Costières de Nîmes wines are red (55%), though the area also produces rosés (35%) and whites (10%). The blends permitted by the AOC terms of reference give the wines a decidedly ripe-fruit character, with a smooth tannic structure and good fresh finish. In the case of the reds and rosés, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre must together account for at least 60% of the mix, the remainder consisting of Carignan and Cinsault. Where rosés are concerned, the appellation’s white grape varieties may also be included, to a maximum of 10%. The whites, which are fruity and substantial, are made from Grenache blanc, Roussanne and Marsanne, with some addition of Bourboulenc, Clairette, Vermentino and Viognier. The minimum permitted alcohol content is 11.5% by volume.

Answer 69

In 19 BC, the veteran legionaries of the Egyptian campaign were settled at Nemausus (modern-day Nîmes). In 280, after the revocation of the decree banning viticulture in Gaul, Cassius Severanius, governor of the Narbonne area, ordered a massive replanting of the pagus nemensis (Costières) vineyards. In the Middle Ages, the Abbey of Saint Gilles du Gard became the main command post in the Languedoc of the Knights Hospitaller of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. It was they who really developed viticulture in the area. In the 14th century, wines from Saint-Gilles and the Costière de Nîmes were among the most highly regarded at the papal court in Avignon. John XXII, Urban V and Gregory XI all stocked their cellars with wines from the Costière. In the 17th century, wine-growing was encouraged by the construction of the Canal du Midi, and the canal played an even more important role in the 19th century, when it was linked with the Rhone via Sète. Transportation was also greatly facilitated by the fact that the railway reached Nîmes as early as 1839. In 1955, Philippe Lamour, chairman of the Compagnie Nationale d'Aménagement du Bas-Rhône et du Languedoc, a brilliant Parisian lawyer, undertook major irrigation works. In fact, the Bas-Rhône Languedoc canal, which has carried water from the Rhone towards the south of the Gard and the east of the Hérault départements since the 1960s, was later renamed in his honour. At the same time, he became a leading light in viticulture in the Gard by his advocacy of improved quality. President of the Syndicat des Costières du Gard, whose wines were granted VDQS status in 1950, he was subsequently appointed to the presidency of the body overseeing Vins Délimités de Qualité Supérieure. In 1986, Costières du Gard was recognised by the INAO as deserving of AOC status.The name of the appellation was changed in 1989 to Costières de Nîmes.

Answer 70

Delimited to the north by the valley of the Gardon, the vineyards extend over 40 kilometres, between the low-lying plain of the Petit Rhône and the marshlands of the Petite Camargue.

Answer 71

With more than 2,700 hours of sunshine each year, the Mediterranean climate is here characterised by a period of semi-drought lasting from June to the end of August. Rainfall is rare and tends to be concentrated in the form of violent autumn storms. The mistral blows strongly over the vines throughout the year, playing the role of a natural purifier.

Answer 72

The Costières de Nîmes terroir consists of gravel deposited by the Rhone and Durance rivers in the Quaternary Period. These gravely beds (known locally as Gress), which go down to a depth of between 5 and 15 metres, are enveloped in sand varying in colour from bright yellow to deep red. The vines send down very deep roots, into underlying layers of clay, which provide them with a moderate but regular water supply even in periods of intense midsummer heat. The outstanding drainage properties of the gravel means that water is quickly shed even in heavy downpours. In summer, the hot mass formed by the stones reinforces the convection effect: the cool on-shore breezes blowing across the Petite Camargue in the late afternoon encounter this hot mass as they rise up along the Costières, and a suction effect is created as the air is drawn in. The moderating effect of these breezes augments the temperature difference between day and night, which is known to preserve the freshness and purity of the developing grapes.

Answer 73

The Clairette de Bellegarde vineyards, neighbouring the Costières-de-Nîmes growing area, lie on the approaches to the Camargue, halfway between Beaucaire and Saint-Gilles. The vines draw their strength from stony soils overlying a bed of clay, which respectively warm up and water the Clairette blanche grape, which does so well here. This is a land of tradition with a strong local character: every year in early May, mass is celebrated in Provençal at the foot of the Bellegarde tower and, in October, the inhabitants process through the village dressed in traditional costume. There are also races involving the famous white horses of the Camargue, and bull-running… In mid-summer, music is on the agenda, in the form of an international guitar festival. A well-rounded, distinguished wine, Clairette de Bellegarde is a vibrant yellow in colour when young. A relatively unsung vine-growing area which will delight gold prospectors..

Answer 74

Clairette de Bellegarde AOC wines are all made exclusively from the Clairette blanche grape variety. The minimum permitted alcohol content is 11%. To appreciate their floral and almondy notes, these wines are best drunk young.

Answer 75

Colonised by Greeks from Rhodes in the middle of the 8th century BC, this territory became associated with viticulture during the Imperial Roman era. In the Middle Ages, the Knights of Malta (a military order of monks) developed the vineyards of Saint Gilles du Gard and, by the 14th century, wines from Saint-Gilles and the Costières de Nîmes were much appreciated at the papal court in Avignon. Clairette de Bellegarde has enjoyed AOC status since 1949 and its wines are now produced by fifteen or so growers, some cooperatively, others in their own wineries.

Answer 76

The very fragmented growing area comprises plots which in some cases date back to 1940. It lies on the Bellegarde terrace, at an altitude of 60 metres. The ranks of vines alternate with cypresses, olive groves and apricot orchards.

Answer 77

Typical Mediterranean climate, tempered by the mistral and tramontana winds.

Answer 78

The rolled pebbles of this terroir store heat to ripen the grapes, as well as ensuring good drainage in the event of heavy rainfall. Clayey soil with a high proportion of flinty stone (the “topsoil” consists of 60% pebbles)

Answer 79

Signargues: a name redolent of the Midi, France’s Deep South! And indeed, its vineyards are the southernmost of any with Côtes du Rhône Villages status. Midway between Avignon and the Roman aqueduct of the Pont du Gard, this is also a place of strong historical associations. In 736, it was the scene of a great battle between the troops of Charles Martel and the Saracens, who were then occupying the South of France. The term “Sign” is a reference to the blood shed during these historic invasions. “Argues”, on the other hand, derives from the name of the Roman settlement. Vestiges of this period have been found: a double-faced statuette of Bacchus and an image of Ariane – both now star turns at the Musée du Louvre. The vineyards are there to bear witness to this classical past. Planted in what was once the bed of the River Rhone, the vines are rooted in one of the region’s most noble soils. Here, thousands of years ago, on its journey from the Alps, the river deposited smooth-rolled pebbles, reddened by iron oxide. Grown in this harsh medium, the vines produce some of the greatest red wines: subtle, elegant, distinguished. And the ever-present garrigue lends them its special aromas of Mediterranean herbs and black-berry fruits. To be appreciated at their best, these wines need to be laid down for two to five years.

Answer 80

The AOC applies only to still red wines. Grape blends must consist of 50% Grenache, together with a maximum of 20% Syrah and/or Mourvèdre. The appellation’s wines must have an alcohol content of at least 12.5% by volume.

Answer 81

The Signargues plateau was occupied at the time of the Roman colonisation. Archaeological finds include a double-faced statuette of Bacchus and Ariadne, now kept in the Louvre in Paris. Signargues first made the headlines in 736, as the theatre of Charles Martel’s victory over the Saracens. To commemorate his exploit, the Frankish king had a chapel built, dedicated to Saint-Jean des Vignes. The area was granted the Côtes du Rhône Villages Signargues appellation in 2005.

Answer 82

The Signargues wine-growing area extends over four communes: Domazan, Estézargues, Rochefort du Gard, Saze.

Answer 83

At an average altitude of 150 metres above the Rhone, the climate is of Mediterranean type: hot, dry and strongly influenced by the mistral.

Answer 84

Terraces of rolled pebbles over sandstones or marls of the Pliocene epoch, their iron content rusted by oxidisation.

Answer 85

Tavel wines are only available in rosé... The AOC is therefore the only appellation in the Rhône valley to produce nothing but rosé wine. But what a rosé it is! The great novelist Honoré de Balzac said that it one of the rare rosés that age for the better... The rosé colouring of these wines can be expressed as either salmon or deep ruby pink. The complex nose of summer fruits evolves into smooth notes of pitted fruits and almonds, while the full, rounded mouth unveils a splendid aromatic ensemble supported by hints of spice.

Answer 86

The grapes are used exclusively to make rosé wines. . A large number of grape varieties are authorized for this appellation, but no individual variety may exceed 60% of a vineyard. Nevertheless, Grenache is the base of Tavel wine. All varieties of Grenache (red, white, grey) together make up between 30% and 60% of planting. Free-run and press wine are assembled before fermentation (correction: The percentage of each of the main grape varieties is equal to or below 60% of the planting. They are Cinsault, Bourboulenc, Clairette (pink and white), Mourvèdre, Picpoul (black, white, grey), and Syrah. The percentage of each of the accompanying grape varieties is equal to or below 10% of the planting: Carignan (white and black) and Calitor Noir. The rosé colouring of these wines can be expressed as either salmon or deep ruby pink. The complex nose of summer fruits evolves into smooth notes of pitted fruits and almonds, while the full, rounded mouth unveils a splendid aromatic ensemble supported by hints of spice.

Answer 87

Vines have been cultivated in the area since the 5th century BC. Planted by the Greeks, the vineyard expanded under the Romans. Located on a major communication route between the oppidum in Roquelmaure and Nimes, Tavel was the ideal location to develop. Various artefacts from this period have been found, including pieces of decorated amphora depicting grapes. However, the name villa tavellis, which would later become Tavel, appeared for the first time in 13th century writings. In the middle of the 14th century, Pope Innocent VI, who had a particular predilection for the wines of the Rhône’s right-bank and had those of the Prieuré de Montézargues delivered for his personal pleasure. This winemaker still exists today at the heart of the Tavel AOC. Following the return of the Papacy to Rome and up until the Revolution, wines from Tavel and the region were exported to Italy. From 1737, a royal edict made it illegal to add foreign wines to those of Tavel, as well as four other towns in the Gard, and their winemakers were authorized to mark their barrels with C.d.R. (Côte du Rhône), thus setting the precedent that would become the AOC. In 1902, Tavel winemakers formed a union of vineyard owner-winemakers. To build the reputation of their rosé wines, union members participated in various national and international fairs, including those in Lyon, Marseille, Strasbourg and Liege. Upon the suggestion of Baron Pierre Le Roy de Boiseaumarié, in 1927 the Chairman of the Union, Aimé Roudil, and forty Tavel winemakers petitioned the Gard courts to officially define the production area. The official notice was published on 19 November 1937.

Answer 88

The vineyard is located on the right-bank of the Rhône, in the Gard, around Tavel.

Answer 89

The climate has a Mediterranean influence and receives lower rainfall, on average 2700 hours of sun per year, and the Mistral is the prevailing wind.

Answer 90

Tavel winemaking country is composed of four different areas. One alluvial area formed by the Rhône, and that can be found on the hillsides of Lirac and Tavel AOCs in the form of ancient alluvial deposits that cover the lower and middle terraces. A sandy area follows, dating from the Mid-Pliocene era, lying between Tavel and Roquemaure. Marly limestone deposits from the Lower Barremian era form the Villeneuve les Avignon, Les Angles, and Tavel massif. A final area of upper Barremian urgonian limestone facies composes the Tavel-Rochefort du Gard massif. These are mainly crystalline limestones (clays and reefs) and gravelly limestone (clastic limestone).

Answer 91

A secret cru awaits discovery. Lirac is the southernmost cru in the Rhône Valley... and certainly the least well-known! It grows in tranquil isolation, far from the beaten path. That said, the wine has been cultivated here since ancient times, and the appellation has been an official Côtes du Rhône cru since 1947. Lirac is one of the rare crus to be available in three colours. The appellation is spread over the best earth in 4 small local authorities in the Gard, and its official specifications are among the region’s most stringent. As far back as the middle ages, this vineyard on the banks of the Rhône was known for the quality of its wines. To guarantee this level of quality, only the winemakers and traders that respect the production charter can use the new Lirac bottle. The assembly of wines from different terroirs is what defines the Lirac style: strong, structured, and aromatic, but always fresh and elegant. Definitely a gem that deserves to be unearthed!

Answer 92

The diversity of the soil coupled with the appellation’s Mediterranean climate enables a range of grape varieties to express their full personality. Thus, Grenache Noir, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault thrive on the clay plateaus with their large pebbles, where their strength is developed in well structured red wines. The Grenache Noir, Syrah, and Cinsault used in the Lirac rosés are grown in sands that also provide their roundness. Finally, white grape varieties such as Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Roussanne, and Claierette, mixed with small quantities of Picpoul, Marsanne, or Viognier, bless the arid scrubland from which they draw their elegance, finesse, and aromatic complexity. Lirac red wines have a deep ruby colour and breathe aromas of red fruits, black fruits, scrubland, and spices. As they age, they develop aromas of leather, liquorice, truffles, and cocoa. Balanced wines, in the mouth they blend strong tannins with characteristic body. They can be aged significantly. The rosé wines are of an intense, deep colour. The nose is seduced with strawberry, raspberry, and red fruits. Smooth yet dynamic, they are full-bodied with the fresh finish, and produce pleasantly intense aromas. The clear, bright, white wines produce floral and fruity notes: acacia, lime, or fennel mix with peaches, apples, and tropical fruits. Over time, they mature into honey and scrubland. Delicate and refined in the mouth, they produce a wonderfully fresh finish.

Answer 93

Vineyards have been a local resource for over two thousand years. Over the centuries, Roquemaure and its port became prosperous and powerful, exporting “Côte du Rhône” wines to Paris, England, or Holland. In the 16th century, things picked up speed: Lirac wines, that had already acquired a reputation, were served in the major royal courts of the day both in France and abroad. Saint-Laurent-des-Arbres still holds traces of this opulent past: a former enclave of the diocese of Avignon, it hosted a vineyard belonging to the bishops. The vineyard that surrounds the village’s castle, easily recognizable with its bartizan turret, produced enough wine to send a tithe across the river comprising of “five ships full to the brim with red wine”. In 1727, efforts were taken to protect the wine’s name, and winemakers branded “C.d.R”, for “Côte du Rhône”, on to their barrels to certify the contents. Lirac Cru is therefore the original Côte, a name that was later given to all wines from the Côtes du Rhône. In 1804, Count Henri de Régis de Gatimel inherited Ségriès Château that is still a feature of the appellation today. At the time, the area only produced cereal and silkworms, and had a modest vineyard. In 1925, the decision was made to replant the vineyard up to its Roman-era boundaries, and the following decade saw the battle to win AOC designation for the Lirac terroir. The campaign was a success and on 11 October 1945, the appellation gained legal recognition from Uzé court, and Lirac was granted AOC status on 14 October 1947. The new appellation was the first Côtes du Rhône Cru to produce all three colours of wine: red, rosé, and white.

Answer 94

Lirac AOC lies 15km to the north-east of Avignon, on the right-bank of the Rhône in the Gard. The 715 cultivated hectares cover 4 areas including Roquemaure, the cradle of the Côtes du Rhône, Saint-Laurent-des-Arbres and Saint-Géniès-de-Comolas, on the Rhône’s right bank

Answer 95

The climate here is purely Mediterranean. The Lirac vineyards boast exceptional exposure to the sun, with 2700 hours per year. The average annual temperature is around 14°C

Answer 96

At the two ends of the AOC area - mainly in Lirac - the vineyard is planted on the Gard’s limestone plateaus that are covered with a film of red clay and pebbles. Well drained, this terroir produces strong wines with solid tannins and a significant potential for ageing. In the centre, like around Saint-Laurent-des-Arbres, the vineyard is formed of the ancient alluvial terraces of the Rhône, made up of quartz pebbles and red clay carried down from the Alps, all atop a bed of sand. These precious terraces are from the same geological age (quaternary era) as Châteaunef-du-Pape. Finally, the terraces’ slopes give rise to sand laced with small pebbles from various landslides. This describes the terroir of Saint-Geniès-de-Comolas, where the red wines are finer and contain less tannin.

Answer 97

In its southern reaches, the Côtes du Rhône Villages wine region spreads across the Rhône’s terraces and alluvial plains, not to mention the slopes of various hills, atop which so many small villages are perched.

Answer 98

For reds, a minimum of 50% Grenache, 20% Syrah and/or Mourvèdre, and a maximum of 20% other grape varieties from the Appellation are permitted. For rosés, a minimum of 50% Grenache, 20% Syrah and/or Mourvèdre; other permitted grape varieties: 20% maximum; white varieties, 20% maximum (Grenache, Clairette, Marsanne, Roussanne, Bourboulenc, and Viognier). For whites, Grenache blanc, Clairette blanche, Marsanne blanche, Roussanne blanche, Bourboulenc, and Viognier, with a maximum of 20% other white varieties are permitted. The red wines are “generous” and go well with game, daube provençale, all kinds of stuffed vegetables, and truffle dishes. These “fine and elegant” wines are recommended as an accompaniment for gourmet salads, offal dishes (veal liver, kidneys, sweetbread), magret de canard, veal, roast pork, navarin of lamb, and for both hard or semi-hard cheeses. The white wines, with their floral notes, are the ideal accompaniment for hot or cold shellfish, creamy poultry dishes, rabbit gibelotte stew, and a whole range of cheeses including blue cheese and fresh goat’s cheese. The fruity rosés go together perfectly with crudités, mixed salads, chicken fillets, charcuterie, grilled meats and all exotic dishes.

Answer 99

The decree of the 2nd November 1966, backed up by that of the 25th August 1967, set up the Côtes du Rhône Villages A.O.C., which now covers 90 communes. These are located in the 4 Departments to the South of the wine growing area: Ardèche, Drôme, Gard and Vaucluse. Acknowledged for their special characteristics, 18 villages have the right to have their names printed on the AOC label: 4 in the Drôme: Rochegude, Rousset les Vignes, Saint Maurice et Saint Pantaléon les Vignes. 10 in the Vaucluse: Cairanne, Gadagne, Massif d’Uchaux, Plan de Dieu, Puyméras, Roaix, Sablet, Séguret, Valréas and Visan. 4 in the Gard: Chusclan, Laudun, Saint Gervais et Signargues.

Answer 100

The 95 communes in the appellation are divided between the 4 départements of the south of the region: l’Ardèche, la Drôme, le Gard, and le Vaucluse.

Answer 101

Cradled and cleansed by the mistral, the region benefits above all from an exceptional four-season Mediterranean climate: two dry seasons, (a brief one in winter and a very long one during the summer); two rainy seasons, one in autumn (with abundant rainfall) and one in the spring. Summers, which are seeing an increase in subtropical anticyclones, are warm and dry, and interspersed with occasionally violent stormy periods. The winters are mild. Precipitation is infrequent and snow is rare.

Answer 102

The soils are the same as those in the Côtes du Rhône AOC, although the criteria in terms of soil and climate, are applied more stringently, taking into account the production regulations of the Appellation. Generally, stony argilo-calcareous soils produce dense, “generous” wines which are colourful and full-bodied, meaty and richly aromatic. Dry, stony soils that offer pleasant, elegant, and fine wines with a fruity flavour.

Answer 103

The Romans left an impressive reminder of their occupation at Laudun: Caesar’s Camp! From this stronghold, the emperor’s armies could keep watch over the River Rhone. And the local vineyards date from this period. According to historians, the first wines were undoubtedly planted on the slopes of this oppidum (hilltop settlement), around which the village developed. Amphorae decorated with vine motifs have been found at this spot and are now conserved at the Maison Carrée in Nîmes. In 1967, the area was granted the Côtes du Rhône Villages appellation, featuring the name of the commune of Laudun. Although the vineyards produce mainly easy-drinking reds, they owe their reputation to some prestigious white wines. The soil at Laudun is a mixture of clay and sand, which drains well. This lends the wines freshness and acidity, two key elements in achieving a good balance. The Clairette grape variety, grown mainly in the Côtes du Rhône region because the soils here are well suited to it, is an important constituent. It is often blended with Grenache, Roussane and Bourboulenc. On these light soils, the reds tend to be smooth, well-rounded and fruity. The rosés, brilliant in colour, develop strawberry notes and have a delightful freshness.

Answer 104

The appellation’s smooth and stylish red wines benefit from the full-bodied strength of the Grenache grape (which must constitute at least 50% of any blend), the floral bouquet of Syrah and the lingering aromatic properties of Mourvèdre (at least 20%, taken together). Having great potential in terms of flavour, these wines can be drunk young but will certainly benefit from ageing. The rosés are very pleasant, containing a minimum of 50% Grenache and at least 20% Syrah and/or Mourvèdre. The Cinsault grape lends additional smoothness and elegance. White grape varieties (Grenache, Clairette…) may not account for more than 20% of the blend. To be drunk in the early years, nice and cool. The whites, composed predominantly of Grenache blanc and Clairette blanche, which is well suited to this terroir, are stylish and distinctively fruity. Again, these wines are best drunk in the early years. The minimum alcohol content for the red wines of this appellation is 12.5%; the figure for the rosés and whites is 12%.

Answer 105

Laudun’s importance as a Roman site is attested by the “Camp de César”, a vast fortified plateau where archaeological digs have been carried out. This observation post enabled the Romans to keep watch over the Rhone, the region’s vital traffic artery. Historians believe that vines were first planted on the hillsides around Laudun at this time. The local wines were highly regarded in the 17th century and, like Chusclan, Laudun was part of the celebrated and traditional "Côte du Rhône Gardoise". “Laudun” is a legally sanctioned appellation, granted by the court of Uzès in 1947. Laudun wines were subsequently accorded Côtes du Rhône Villages status in 1967. In 2008, the Chusclan and Laudun wineries merged, giving rise to a new growers’ association: “Laudun, Chusclan vignerons”.

Answer 106

The growing area extends over the communes of Laudun, Saint Victor-la-Coste and Tresques, in the département of Gard.

Answer 107

Mediterranean type influenced by the mistral.

Answer 108

The vines are planted on stony or gravelly slopes, in poor soils which drain rapidly.

Answer 109

A charming little town on the right bank of the Rhone, Chusclan produces wines with Côtes du Rhône Villages status. Wines with a long and distinguished history: they were already fashionable in the days of Louis XIV, thanks to a recipe for rabbit invented by the Maréchal de Grammont – lapin d’Arbousset –, which is still part of the local culinary heritage. Chusclan wines were granted special privileges a century later. From the riverside port of Roquemaure, they were shipped in barrels branded with the letters C.D.R. (Côtes du Rhône) to grace the tables of the royal courts of Europe. Over the centuries, Chusclan wines have lost nothing of their appeal, for the wine-growers of this small area (250 hectares) are committed to quality. They have colonised slopes and terraces of rolled pebbles to plant vines of the Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre varieties, the three main constituents of the Chusclan appellation. This combination yields deep red wines which are well-rounded, smooth and full-bodied, with notes of red and black-berry fruits and spices. Less powerful than some of their neighbours, they can be drunk young or after ageing for two or three years, depending on the vintage. They will appeal to lovers of sun-drenched, easy-drinking wines. The area is also reputed for its rosés, which account for only a small part of total production but are nonetheless distinguished. It is in fact to them that the vineyard owes its reputation. Grown in sandy/clayey soils, they are wines of surprising boldness: pink in colour with a spicy bouquet of red-berry fruits, they explode on the palate with an intense freshness. Just some of the treasures of these vineyards tucked away in a secluded part of the Gard.

Answer 110

Comprising a minimum of 50% Grenache grapes, plus at least 20% Syrah and/or Mourvèdre, Chusclan red wines have a relatively high alcohol content and are a fine deep red in colour. They may contain up to 20% of the other varieties permitted by the appellation. They are heady wines, with flavours of red-berry fruits and spices. Made using the “saignée” method (i.e. with pink juice drawn off during the production of red wine), Chusclan rosés taste of grapefruit and woodland fruits. They must contain a minimum of 50% Grenache grapes, and 20% Syrah and/or Mourvèdre. Other permitted varieties may not exceed 20%. White grape varieties (Grenache, Clairette, Marsanne, Roussanne, Bourboulenc and Viognier) must not account for more than 20% of the mix. The prescribed alcohol content for the red wines is at least 12.5%, with a minimum of 12% for the rosés. These wines will keep for a few years but are generally best drunk before their fifth birthday.

Answer 111

There was a very early settlement on this site: Bronze Age swords, bracelets and a tumulus have been found in the area. In the 17th century, the village was a dependency of the Viguerie (administrative court) of Uzès, which was entitled to use the “Côte du Rhône” name. Chusclan wines have a long-standing reputation. They were praised in the 17th century by Olivier de Serres. Their gay, sunny character delighted the friends of Mme de Sévigné, who commented in a letter to her daughter: “the good abbé wanted to drink this wine, convinced it would add ten years to his life; this thought cheered him up, both the idea of Chusclan wine and the idea of rediscovering his youth…”. The wines of this area were accorded the title of Côtes du Rhône Chusclan in 1947. They were granted Côtes du Rhône Villages status in 1967 (rosés) and 1971 (reds).

Answer 112

The growing area extends over the communes of Chusclan, Codolet, Orsan, Saint Etienne des Sorts and Bagnols sur Cèze, in the département of Gard.

Answer 113

Mediterranean type, influenced by the mistral.

Answer 114

The growing area includes stony slopes and terraces, and some sandy areas. The geology is varied: marly limestone, sandstone, alluvial material…

Answer 115

Every village has its legend! At St-Gervais, whose vineyards were laid out by the Romans, they say that the church is built over a temple dedicated to Jupiter… and given that Bacchus was born from Jupiter’s thigh, the destiny of this village was clearly a foregone conclusion! Roman remains have been found in the area: pottery, tombs, traces of domestic architecture… But wine-growing did not really take off in this part of the Gard until after the devastation caused by phylloxera, the pest which ravaged the majority of Europe’s vineyards at the end of the 19th century. The St-Gervais growing area was first reconstituted in the valley of the Cèze, then extended to cover large parts of the hillsides just thirty years ago. Driven by this urge to rebuild, as well as a concern for quality, the local wine-growers obtained Côtes du Rhône Villages status for St-Gervais in 1977. The vineyards now cover 130 hectares, and their wines are made from blends of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault grapes. Orientated east-west, and planted in gravelly, stony soils, the vines produce mellow red wines with notes of red-berry fruits and spices, and can be enjoyed young. The rosés are full-bodied and leave a lingering aftertaste, while the brilliant whites are distinguished by attractive floral notes.

Answer 116

The grape blends used for making AOC red wines must contain a minimum of 50% Grenache, together with at least 20% Syrah and/or Mourvèdre. The other varieties permitted by the appellation must not exceed 20%. These wines will keep for several years. Where rosés are concerned, the main constituent must be Grenache, supplemented by at least 20% of Syrah and/or Mourvèdre. White grape varieties (Grenache, Clairette, Marsanne, Roussanne, Bourboulenc and Viognier) must not account for more than 20% of the mix. These are “vins de table” and should be drunk straight away. The appellation’s white wines must contain 80% of the following varieties: Grenache blanc, Clairette blanche, Marsanne blanche, Roussanne blanche, Bourboulenc blanc, Viognier blanc. Saint Gervais whites should be drunk young. The minimum alcohol content for the appellation’s red wines is 12,5°, while for the rosés and whites it is 12°.

Answer 117

There is still evidence of the Roman colonisation at Saint Gervais: the remains of several villas and workshops, which can be viewed in the low-lying areas. The Romans contributed to the development of viticulture in the region, promoting the reputation of Saint Gervais wines. The Saracens and Visigoths also passed this way during their migrations, leaving a number of burial sites. For centuries, a range of agricultural produce was grown at Saint Gervais. But gradually vines took over the valley bottoms, then the plateau areas of the Cèze valley, and for the last thirty years have been the dominant factor in the landscape. On-going efforts to improve the quality of Saint Gervais wines were crowned by their being awarded Côtes du Rhône Villages status in 1974.

Answer 118

The vineyards lie along the River Cèze in the commune of Saint Gervais, département of Gard.

Answer 119

Mediterranean type

Answer 120

Sandstone on slopes of red clay; stony on the plateau.

Answer 121

Welcome to the “Enclave des Papes”! Visan became a papal possession in 1344 and enjoys exclusive status to this day: it is effectively an enclave, a piece of Vaucluse surrounded by the département of Drôme. This is the realm of the Aleppo pine, lavender, truffles and, of course, the grape vine. Visan has been a Côtes du Rhône Villages appellation since 1966. Besieging the village on all sides, the vineyards cover a good half of the commune. They have scaled the hillsides to benefit from the best-exposed locations, and descend the gentle, delicately sculpted slopes right down to the plain, forming a delightful picture. Visitors come as much to enjoy the rural peace and quite as to discover the local vintages. Planted in the clayey-limestone soils of this northern Rhone terroir, the vines, largely of the Grenache and Syrah varieties, with some Carignan and Mourvèdre, yield red wines which are stylish and elegant. They have a bouquet of red-berry fruits and spice, and mineral notes expressive of their personality. Though the reds are dominant, whites and rosés are not entirely excluded from the Visan range. The former, both floral and fruity in flavour, are fresh-tasting with some peppery notes. The latter are redolent of citrus fruit, peach and apricot, on the nose and in the mouth. They manage to be both stylish and satisfyingly full-bodied.

Answer 122

The appellation’s red wines benefit from the full-bodied strength of the Grenache grape (which must constitute at least 50% of any blend), the fruitiness of Syrah and the lingering aromatic properties of Mourvèdre (at least 20%, taken together). They have good keeping qualities and can be aged for several years. The rosés are pleasantly fruity and peppery, containing a minimum of 50% Grenache and 20% Syrah and/or Mourvèdre. White grape varieties (Grenache, Clairette…) may not account for more than 20% of the blend. These wines should be drunk young, in the first two or three years. The whites have an agreeable citrus flavour. Grenache blanc, Clairette blanche, Bourboulenc blanc and Viognier grapes must account for at least 80% of the blend. Again, these wines are best drunk in the early years. The minimum alcohol content for the red wines of this appellation is 12.5%; the figure for the rosés and whites is 12%.

Answer 123

Artefacts from the Gallo-Roman period have been discovered at Visan, evidence that the site has been occupied since classical times. Vines were already cultivated there in the time of Probus (3rd century AD). Visan is documented as having a village grape-press in 1250. Once owned by the Knights Templar, it became a papal possession in 1344. The Visan wine-growers’ confraternity (Confrérie des vignerons de Visan), the first association of its kind in the region and one of the first in France, was founded in 1475 and remained active until 1792. It was re-established in 1978, when the village held its first wine festival. During their summer session, the members process to the church of Notre-Dame-des-Vignes for the blessing of a vine stock which is then solemnly burned in the Place Marot, while locals dance the ‘souco’ (the Provencal word for the vine plant). Visan was awarded Côtes du Rhône Villages status in 1967.

Answer 124

The vineyards are located in the commune if Visan, in the département of Vaucluse (Enclave des Papes).

Answer 125

Mediterranean type influenced by the mistral.

Answer 126

Clayey limestone, red and stony.

Answer 127

Between Avignon and Orange, the Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyard’s 3200 hectares dominate the plain. The village streets clustered at the foot of the castle, a 14th century Papal residence, are dotted with fountains... and the wine cellars that offer the best way to discover this famous variety of wine. In addition to the diversity of the 13 varieties of grape, it is characterized by its consistent soil quality. The limestone earth produces full, aromatic white wines with a crisp freshness. To the South, the clay soil with galets roulés (small round pebbles) produces full bodied, well structured wines: the epitome of their kind. To the North, the sandy earth produces light, yet fine and spicy wines which we will learn more about later... Propelled by Baron Leroy, the owner of Château Fortia in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this is where the AOC concept was born: measures of quality that, when adopted in 1923, bestowed upon Châteauneuf the status of a high-quality wine when it became one of the first AOC in 1936.

Answer 128

13 grape varieties are traditionally approved, but Grenache forms the majority, along with Syrah and Mouvèdre, that give the red wine its colour, structure, aromas of summer fruits and aromatic complexity (hints of leather, etc.) Today, the main varieties used are Grenache and Cinsault (which give the wines their mellow warmth), Mourvèdre, Syrah, Muscardin (structure, colour, and freshness), Counoise (body, freshness, bouquet), Clairette, and Bourboulenc. The Guyot vine training system is used for Syrah. For other varieties, gobelet or fan shaped two eyed spurs are used, with a maximum of 15 eyes per vine in addition to the bud. Wires and stakes may not be used.

Answer 129

As its name suggests, the history of Châteauneuf-du-Pape is intimately linked that of several Popes... As early as 1157, faithful to Roman customs, Bishop Geoffroy of Avignon himself planted and cultivated a vineyard in his Châteauneuf fiefdom. In 1308, Clement V also planted vines, thereby becoming one of the first winemakers in Châteauneuf. Jean XXII had a particular appreciation for the wine from this vineyard, and ordered a castle built in the area, and bestowed upon the wine the prestigious title of “Vin du Pape” (Papal Wine), the name by which it was known before it became “Le Châteauneuf-du-Pape”. Since then, one of the main characteristics of this AOC has been the broad variety of grapes used (13 varieties identified in 1866). In addition to providing aromatic complexity, the range of grapes used also meant that it could resist the phylloxera outbreak of 1866. In 1829, almost 2000 hectolitres of Châteauneuf-du-Pape were sold outside the region: the wine already had a sound reputation and was widely exported. In 1894, the winemakers formed the first “Winemakers’ Union”. Its mission: to guarantee the quality of the region’s wines. In 1911, the local government formed a commission of 34 winemakers to classify, and therefore maintain the quality of Châteauneuf wines. In 1923, the Châteauneuf-du-Pape Winemakers’ Union was created to obtain the Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC status. A lawyer as well as a winemaker, Baron Le Roy de Boiseaumarié was selected by his peers to head the Union. The Union and its famous Chairman led legal action that set the conditions and regulations for the production of Châteauneuf-du-Pape Appellation wine, and which constituted a guide for the creators of the registered designation of origin (AOC). After several years in the courts, the French Supreme Court rubber stamped the production area and conditions on 21 November 1933. The same regulations are still used to this day.

Answer 130

The appellation’s vineyards spread across almost the entire Châteauneuf-du-Pape local authority, with some extending across the four neighbouring municipalities (Bédarrides, Courthézon, Orange, and Sorgues).

Answer 131

The driest area in the Côtes du Rhône. The prevalent wind is the Mistral, and each year sees around 2800 hours of sunshine, with the heat being stored by the rocks during the day and radiated at night.

Answer 132

Galets roulés The terroir of this AOC is made up of three kinds of soil. On a base of clean white urgonian limestone deposits lie sediments of sands and red clay, and the Rhône then forms pebbles from quartzite and silica from the Alps.

Answer 133

The Luberon is one of the most southerly wine-growing areas of the Rhone Valley. Emblematic of Provence, the region is especially rich in architectural treasures: cathedrals, castles, hilltop villages and Renaissance buildings… Its charm and relaxed lifestyle have attracted many artists, including Picasso, André Lhote, Nicolas de Staël and Albert Camus… Vines have flourished here since antiquity, taking possession of a natural environment preserved within the Regional Nature Reserve (Parc Naturel Régional). The wines benefit from the warmth of the Mediterranean climate, but also have a nice fresh finish. The fact that the vineyards lie at altitudes of between 200 and 450 metres makes for a wide temperature range throughout the day, which imparts freshness to the wines. The region also produces some delightfully elegant white wines, to which the Vermentino grape contributes its special citrus flavours. Although the region produces wines of all three colours, the rosés are predominant… Stylish and lively, they have a fine bouquet...

Answer 134

The appellation’s terms of reference require that Luberon wines be made from blends of several grape varieties. The reds and rosés are composed of Syrah and Grenache noir, supplemented by Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Luberon reds are well-rounded, easy-drinking and full of fruit, with flavours of blackcurrant, blackberry and raspberry. Some vintages have peppery notes, but without any loss of the freshness that distinguishes the appellation. The delightfully fresh rosés come in an attractive range of colours, from the palest to the most shocking pink. On the palate, they exhibit typical red-berry-fruit flavours (strawberry, gooseberry) and in some cases more exotic notes. The white wines are made from Grenache blanc, Clairette blanche, Vermentino, Bourboulenc, Roussanne, Marsanne, Ugni blanc and Viognier. Blends of these grapes impart both vivacity and elegance to the vines concerned. They exhibit a fine palette of flavours, ranging from grapefruit to peach in the case of the fruitier wines, from honey to toast for the more complex vintages.

Answer 135

The Luberon has a distinguished history, dating back 5,000 years to the Lagoza civilisation. Stelae with human attributes bear witness to the presence of these early farmers in the region. Wine-growing was first practised in the Luberon in classical times, when the vineyards were planted. Although Greek colonists brought wine with them, and no doubt the first vine stocks, viticulture was really developed by the Romans, especially in the Aigues country. A bas-relief depicting barrels, the first sculpture to feature containers of this kind, has been discovered at Cabrières d’Aigues. Vessels for holding wine (amphorae, demijohns) have also been found in the region, similar to those represented on the Cabrières stele. The “Apt Treasure” (dating from the 2nd and 3rd centuries), kept at the Calvet d’Avignon museum, is the finest known set of bronze drinking vessels, after those found at Pompeii. The wine-growing estates of the Luberon flourished in the Middle Ages, especially at the time of the Avignon papacy. After times of greater or lesser splendour during the Renaissance and in more modern times, viticulture was further developed towards the end of the 19th century, and again in the inter-war years. Beginning in the 1970s, a major modernisation programme was carried out by the Luberon wine-growers and, as a result of these efforts, they were granted Luberon AOC status in 1988.

Answer 136

The vineyards extend over 36 communes in the Luberon regional nature reserve, in the département of Vaucluse. Delimited by the Calavon to the north and the Durance to the south, they lie on both escarpments of the Luberon massif, with the exception of the Combe de Lourmarin, which separates the Grand from the Petit Luberon. The Luberon regional nature reserve was admitted to UNESCO’s global network of Biosphere Reserves in 1997. In recognition of the exemplary balance it has achieved between economic development and the conservation of its natural heritage and wildlife, the park has also been designated by UNESCO as a living model of sustainable development.

Answer 137

Mediterranean, affected by the wide temperature ranges typical of such altitudes. With roughly 2,600 hours of sunshine each year, the Luberon is one of France’s sunniest regions, which favours the ripening of white grape varieties. The sharp drop in temperature at night allows the vines to recover their fluid balance and tempers the character of the red grape varieties.

Answer 138

Very mixed; located at middle altitude (between 200 and 450 metres), they include sands from the Miocene Period in the Aigues country, limestone scree at the foot of the mountain, and typical red clay in the Apt area.

Answer 139

Ventoux wines benefit from an unspoilt natural environment of exceptional biodiversity. Listed as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1990, the Mont Ventoux site is the privileged setting for vineyards worked with respect for the region’s natural environment and for its historic and cultural heritage. On the slopes of the mountain, amid holm oak, white oak, cedar, beech, larch and pine, the Mediterranean and Alpine worlds meet and embrace. The area is home to a large number of rare or endemic plant species, as well as to many kinds of deer and birds of prey. This vitality and profusion of scents and savours is a potent influence on the wide range of AOC Ventoux wines. This is undoubtedly a land renowned for its gastronomy, immortalised by Alphonse Daudet in his story of a food-loving priest: “Les Trois Messes Basses”. It was at the Château de Trinquelage, in this very area, that Dom Balaguère was overcome with temptation at the thought of the amazing Christmas dinner promised by his sacristan… But who could blame him? Inspired by this profusion, Ventoux red wines are smooth and rich in flavours, ranging from red-berry fruits and spices to leather, liquorice and truffle. Their reputation has gone before them, even to America… In their wake, the fresh, lingering rosés are redolent with notes of cherry, raspberry and blossom, while the whites are suggestive of iris, acacia and citrus fruits

Answer 140

The appellation’s red and rosé wines are made mainly from the following grape varieties: Grenache noir, Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvèdre and Carignan. Secondary varieties - Bourboulenc, Clairette, Counoise, Grenache blanc, Marsanne, Marsellan, Picpoul noir, Roussanne, Vermentino and Viognier - are permitted, but may not exceed 20% of the blend. In particular, Marsellan and Vermentino may not account for more than 10%. On the palate, Ventoux reds exhibit notes of red-berry fruits, blackcurrant or blackberry, and sometimes the more complex flavours of vanilla and liquorice. They are pleasingly dense in the mouth and have a lingering aftertaste. Made from blends of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Carignan, Ventoux rosés are surfing the new wave of easy-drinking wines that can be drunk throughout a meal. The main varieties that go into the region’s white wines are Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache blanc and Roussanne, with Marsanne, Vermentino and Viognier playing a secondary role. They may not account for more than 10% of the mix.

Answer 141

Vines have been grown in this area since earliest classical times. At Mazan, archaeological digs have revealed a potter’s workshop dating from the 1st century BC, which manufactured the earliest amphorae known to have been produced in France. The Ventoux vineyards developed and expanded during the Avignon papacy (1309-1376). And, over the centuries, Ventoux wines were drunk at the table of the kings of France, along with other great French vintages. In 1939, the growers established an association, the Syndicat des Vins de Ventoux, to promote the quality and character of the region’s wines. Thanks to their efforts, Ventoux wines were granted the VDQS (Vin Délimité de Qualité Supérieure) appellation in 1953, and acquired AOC status in 1973.

Answer 142

The vineyards lie to the east of the Rhone Valley, extending over 51 communes in the département of Vaucluse. Delimited in the south by the Cavalon and protected from the mistral by Mt. Ventoux and the Dentelles de Montmirail, they flourish in a natural setting listed by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve.

Answer 143

Temperate Mediterranean with slight mountain influence (Mt. Ventoux and the mountains of the Vaucluse).

Answer 144

Consisting of sediments laid down by the sea in the Tertiary Period at the base of the limestone massif of Mt. Ventoux, they exhibit an amazing range of geological formations. There are three principal soil types: • red soils resulting from the break-down of the limestone, • soils consisting of a mixture of sand and ochre-coloured clay, • detrital soils overlaid with rolled pebbles or limestone scree from the mountain. Combined with the general climate of Provence and the many micro-climates associated with the area’s hills, plains and valleys, these variations of terroir lend the appellation’s wines a great diversity of subtle flavours.

Answer 145

Hardly any distance from Avignon, the vineyards provide a magnificent vantage point for viewing the city and its Palais des Papes, the Durance Valley to the south, the mountains of the Vaucluse and the Luberon to the east, the Rhône to the west, the plain of the Comtat Venaissin and Mont Ventoux to the north. At the heart of the vineyard stands Châteauneuf-de-Gadagne, perched on its rock, a living symbol of Provencal culture. Here, in 1854, was born the Félibrige movement, which defended Provencal culture and was founded by Frédéric Mistral and six other poets and writers. It was during a meeting of the Félibres, in 1867, that Frédéric Mistral received the “Coupo Santo” from a delegation of Catalan writers and politicians. To thank them, he wrote the poem “Coupo Santo”, which was to become the anthem of Provence and the Côtes du Rhône region.

Answer 146

The exclusively red wines grown here are made from the Grenache grape, with additions of Syrah and Mourvèdre. All the vineyards' wines are of an attractive ruby colour, with a more or less pronounced sparkle. Notes of heather and other garrigue (scrubland) plants are evident on the palate. The flavours of liquorice and pepper are more pronounced in some years than others, but spicy flavours are the common factor in each of these wines.

Answer 147

The growing of vines at Châteauneuf-de-Gadagne dates back to 500 AD. Sales of Gadagne wines have been recorded since the 15th century. In 1575, a local parliament began meeting to decide the day on which the inhabitants could begin harvesting their grapes. From medieval times, quality was clearly a major concern for the wine-growers of Châteauneuf-de-Gadagne. Again with quality in mind, an experimental vineyard was established here in the mid-1980s. As a result, it is possible to observe the characteristics of Côtes du Rhône appellation wines by bringing together all the varieties entitled to the AOC label, and thus achieve the optimum quality standards. In recognition of its efforts to improve the quality of its wines, the Chateauneuf-de-Gadagne vineyard was first granted the Côtes du Rhône appellation in 1937, then the Côtes du Rhône Villages label in 1997, and finally the Côtes du Rhône Villages Gadagne accolade in 2012.

Answer 148

Lying on the left bank of the Rhône, Châteauneuf-de-Gadagne is laid out amphitheatre-like on its hillside, just a few miles from Avignon, capital of the Côtes du Rhône region. The Gadagne AOC vineyards extend over 5 villages in the Vaucluse region: Caumont-sur-Durance, Châteauneuf-de-Gadagne, Morières-lès-Avignon, Saint-Saturnin-lès-Avignon and Vedène.

Answer 149

The climate is typically Mediterranean, sometimes with violent winds, highly irregular rainfall and a hot, dry summer season.

Answer 150

The wine-growing area consists of an extensive plateau of pebbles smoothed in water and is at an average altitude of 115 metres.

Answer 151

The scenery around the fertile vineyard that produces Beaumes-de-Venise wines would fit perfectly into the Tuscan landscape... Grapevines and olive groves mingle, rooted in earth well cared for by the winegrowers and their recipe of considered agriculture and their love for a unique, rich, and precious terroir. While the name “de Venise” conjures up romantic images, it is of no relation to the Italian city... It’s a distortion of “de Venisse”, meaning “of the Comtat Venaissan” or “Comtat Avignonnais”. Located at the foot of the rocky Dentelles de Montmirail formed in the Jurassic era, the terroir’s earth contains three types of soils, as well as deposits of Triassic rock that produces an exceptional type of soil that produces unique wines. Officially granted cru status in 2005, the AOC produces deep coloured red wines, in shades ranging from cherry red to purple... as well as the famous naturally dessert wine: Muscat (see section on Muscat Beaumes-de-Venise).

Answer 152

The AOC terroir’s wines take their character from a group of grape varieties, with the two main varieties being Grenache (at least 50% of planted vines) and Syrah (25% to 50% of vines planted). Grenache noir is rich in phenolic compounds and brings hints of summer fruits, licorice, and spices. Syrah brings colour, greater fragrance, and a long finish. Mourvèdre complements the first two varieties with its more complex aromas of black fruits, leather, and woodland. There are also secondary varieties such as Cinsault, Carignan, and Counoise: as well as white grape varieties, which are authorized to make up no more than 10% of the wine, and can give an original touch that could be considered as the winemaker’s signature.

Answer 153

Greek colonists planted first Muscat vines in Beaumes around 600BC. From 1309 onwards, Pope Clement V and the Apostolic Camera owned muscat producing facilities. Even though the religious wars that scarred the Middle Ages also caused the vineyards to shrink, the nobility consumed Muscat on a regular basis. In 1957, Beaumes de Venise joined the Côtes du Rhône production area. In 1978, the winemakers of Beaumes-de-Venise entered the upper category and were able to produce Côtes du Rhônes Villages Beaumes-de-Venise. On 9 June 2005, the red wines produced in Beaumes-de-Venise officially became Côte du Rhône crus.

Answer 154

The terroir is spread across the counties of Beaumes-de-Venise, Lafare, La Roque-Alric and Suzette, in the Vaucluse.

Answer 155

Mediterranean climate, hot, protected from mistral by topography (Dentelles de Montmirail).

Answer 156

Beaumes-de-Venise wines come from three major terroirs that give the cru its unique personality. Triassic Earth The Triassic is the name given to the first period of the Mesozoic era. Normally, the layer of rock dating from this period in the region is found buried 1500m below the surface. The emergence of the Dentelles de Montmirail brought these deposits to the surface around the town of Suzette by a type of compression, unique to the Rhone Valley, known as “Suzette Diapir”. Farmable soil is naturally found in the softer areas. These are made up of shallow soils, made from a fine, ochre coloured earth; a colour that comes from the iron content of the soil. The earth hardens during droughts, but contains fissures that cause it to remain porous, and penetrable by the roots of the vine. With very low fertility, this soil protects vines from the stresses of drought, as well as humidity. Cretaceous White Earth The soils of Roque Alric are marly clay and limestone. The parent rock is greyish with a red tinge when containing iron. The result is a juxtaposition of cobbly marl and shallow soils on limestone beds. To grow here, the roots of the vine spread over the limestone bed, extracting the mineral salts they need to grow. This terroir, farmed mainly on terraces, enjoys excellent exposure to the sun: conditions which are perfectly suited to Grenache and Syrah, the main varieties of grape. Grey Jurassic Earth To the north of Lafare village and set against the south-eastern slopes of the Dentelles de Montmirail, this terroir is mainly made up of black marls containing silt, clay, and sand. Easily penetrated by the vines’ roots, they quickly turn into true soil. The Dentelles de Montmirail protect the hillside vineyards from the mistral winds. Facing East-South-East, they receive optimum exposure to the sun and guarantee uniform maturity.

Answer 157

The Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise is unique in the Rhône Valley. This fortified wine has a worldwide reputation, but it has nevertheless faced extinction several times throughout its history. It owes its resurgence to its terroir - protected by the Dentelles de Montmirail, and suitable for the cultivation of Muscat, the grape of choice - as well as to the hard work of its winemakers. Today, the winemakers monitor the quality of their wines with a jealous eye, combining their know-how with the latest technology to ensure their place in the future. Planted on narrow terraces, known as "restanques" or "faysses", and supported by walls, the muscat vines have shaped the region's landscape. This is the place where the shepherds, who disappeared from the area after the cold-snap of 1956, gave up their place to the sun and the vines that draw from this thin soil the most powerful flavours... White Beaumes-de-Venise muscats are golden in colour, with a nose of flowers and tropical fruits, and have a long finish. Made from assemblies of muscat à petits grains blanc and noir, and their colour can vary from amber to rosé, and even purple.

Answer 158

The vineyards contain exclusively muscat à petits grains noir and blanc. Bunches of grapes are harvested by hand, and several harvests are made depending on how ripe the fruit is. The grapes must have a sugar content of over 252g/L. Mutage, the addition of alcohol to the wine, must be performed with pure alcohol of at least 96%, when the musts contain 5% to 10% alcohol. The wines must contain at least 100g/L of sugar and feature at least 15% alcohol content.

Answer 159

Traces of human settlements in Beaumes-de-Venise date back to the beginning of time. The vines were first planted by Greek settlers, and flourished in the Gallo-Roman period. In the 1st century, Pliny the elder mentioned Muscat in his Natural History: a lively, fruity wine, already cultivated for a long time in Balme, and whose vines were given the moniker "vine of the bees". In the 14th century, Pope Clement V planted muscat on 70 hectares of the Beaumes-de-Venise hillsides. Religious wars, during the Renaissance, almost eradicated the vineyard. It was only in the 18th century that the wine refound its fame, championed by Joseph Roumanille and Frédéric Mistral. Towards the end of the 19th century, phylloxera once again destroyed the majority of the vineyard. After almost being consigned to history, Beaumes-de-Venise Muscat blossomed at the beginning of the 20th century when its vineyards were replanted. Vin Doux Naturel Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise was officially awarded AOC status in 1945, and applied retroactively to the 1943 vintage.

Answer 160

The vineyard is located on the southern slopes of the Dentelles de Montmirail, in Beaumes-de-Venise and Aubignan in the Vaucluse.

Answer 161

The climate has a Mediterranean influence: hot and dry with the Mistral tempered by the Dentelles de Montmirail massif.

Answer 162

Composed of the "terre blonde" of sandy marl to the south and clay-limestone soils to the north.

Answer 163

The power of balance! Full, delicate, and complex, the wines from this appellation are the result of assemblies that harmoniously combine the qualities of different terroirs... Tucked at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail on the left-bank of the Ouvèze, this AOC is planted in Vacqueyras and Sarrians, between the prestigious Gigondas and Beaumes-de-Venise vineyards. The red wines will develop aromas of small red fruits and violet when young, and then grow into fragrances of liquorice, woodland, pepper, and spices as it ages. The rare white wines are bright and refined, and the rosés - even rarer - are full-bodied and flexible, with aromas of flowers and wild strawberries. This wine’s beauty resides in its balance and personality. In Vacqueyras, the assembly results in strong wines with definite character, but always with a specific freshness and finesse. Indeed, Vacqueyras has been the official Cru of the Avignon festival since 1998

Answer 164

For the red wines (97% of production), the main variety used is Granache Noir (at least 50%), followed by Syrah and Mourvèdre (at least 20%). In total, 90% of all vines planted are either Grenache, Syrah, or Mourvèdre, and other Côtes du Rhône varieties may be used up to a maximum of 10%. N.B. Carignan, formerly forbidden, has recently been authorized. The red wines have a deep colour: a fine red with a hint of ruby for young wines, and a deep red for older wines. The nose quickly unveils fruits: black cherry, stone and ripe, with notes of preserved fruits such as figs in aged vintages. Normally, time brings out the spiced nuances, together with leather and game, or even a light smoky note. They are robust, strong, and rich wines with a pleasant finish. White wines have a superb, slightly golden, colour and their floral bouquet is rich and fragrant... like scrubland. The wines are a nice light yellow with shades of green, and these bright wines are produced from Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Roussanne, Marsanne, and Viognier varieties, which must not total more than 80% of the vineyard. They have a floral nose with notes of acacia and broom, sometimes with a hint of citrus.

Answer 165

Roman colonization led to the cultivation of vines in the Rhône Valley, and was especially prominent around Orange in the 2nd and 1st centuries BC. The remains of a Roman villa were discovered in Vacqueyras - Vaqueiras, in Provençal - and the town takes its name from the Latin Valléa Quadreria, which means “valley of rocks”. However, the first written record of winemaking in Vacqueyras is found in the Middle Ages. In 1414, the first land register for the Comtat Venaissin records vines present around the village. In 1448, taxes on wines and grape harvests in Vacqueyras are mentioned. Following the revolution, the vineyards of Comtat Venaissain, including Vacqueyras, were accorded to France in 1791. In 1937, Vacqueyras was added to the Côtes du Rhône area. In 1955, it joined Côtes du Rhône Villages. In 1967, Vacqueyras became Côtes du Rhone Villages, together with many other towns. Finally, Vacqueyras obtained its official title as a local Appellation on 22 February 1990, when it was granted by the INAO (National AOC Institute). Since then, its production has been governed by strict rules. The basic yield, for example, is set at 36 hectolitres per hectare of vine: making it one of the lowest in all of France. The harvest must be sorted and the vines must be at least three years of age to provide the right kind of grapes for Vacqueyras wine.

Answer 166

The vineyard extends across Vacqueyras and Sarrians in the Vaucluse, at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail.

Answer 167

Mediterranean, it boasts an incredible asset: the Mistral cleanses the vineyard. It protects the vines from a number of fungal diseases and removes parasitic insects. Rain comes in well marked seasons, and temperatures soar during the summer.

Answer 168

At the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail, the westernmost part of the Massif des Baronnies, the terroir of this appellation is composed of alluvial soils and glacial terraces of Riss glaciation. The soil is sandy-clay with banks of pebbles on the terraces of the Ouvèze.

Answer 169

Rasteau's vins doux naturels defy convention. Made from Grenache noir planted in stony, exposed, south-facing ground, they are the product of 50-80 year old vines that preserve their vitality by providing less than a single bottle per stock... harvested by hand, alcohol is added to the fermenting musts to produce two different styles of fortified wine. The result of rosé winemaking (using the saignée method), Rasteau wine has a fine amber colour and exudes aromas of nuts, apricot, and honey. Full-bodied, smooth, and balanced, the wine may be aged for up to eight years. Red Rasteau is made using grapes that have been pressed and macerated in a vat. It contains aromas of stewed prunes and warm spices and, as it ages, develops a "rancio", or maderized, flavour. The wine may be aged for up to ten years, developing nutty, roasted aromas. Without a doubt, wines this rare, so incredibly rich in aromas, and so well made, deserve their reputation...

Answer 170

Rasteau vin doux naturel is available in three colours: red, white, and rosé. The "ageless" vintages are known as "Rancio". Planting is reserved for Grenache noir, which must make up at least 90% of the vineyard. Other varieties of grapes are chosen from amongst those authorized in Côtes du Rhône. The production regulations are in line with legislation for other fortified wines. Mutage is compulsory and the alcohol must be at least 96% proof, and constitute between 5% and 10% of the wine. The minimum alcohol content (actual alcohol and potential alcohol) must be 21.5% by volume, with at least 15% by volume actual content. The must's minimum natural sugar content must be at least 252g/L.

Answer 171

The south-facing hillsides of Rasteau are ideal for the overmaturation of grapes, making standard winemaking problematic. In 1934, the area's winemakers made the first vin doux naturel (fortified wine), with positive results. During this period, the area was divided between vineyards, orchards, and olive groves. In 1944, Rasteau Vin Doux Naturel was officially awarded AOC status, and, in 2010, Rasteau's still red wine followed suit.

Answer 172

The vineyard extends across Rasteau (mainly), Cairanne, and Sablet, and is planted in just over 20 plots.

Answer 173

The climate has a Mediterranean influence, and the hillsides are south-facing and receive some protection from the Mistral.

Answer 174

Similar to the soils of Rasteau: the terroir contains brown limestone soils, thin soil atop marl, and red soils on sandstone. The predominantly south-facing hillsides, and the heat stored during the day and radiated at night, mean that the grapes are can reach full maturity.

Answer 175

A village in the Haut-Vaucluse, perched atop a 200m high hill, Rasteau looks out to the Dentelles de Montmirail. Village life revolves around the main square (place d’Apparent), edged with plane trees, that forms the main place of business as well as a centre of village festivities. The relatively sheltered vineyard is south-facing, and the great diversity of soils and uneven terrain produce wines with a very strong character. Rasteau AOC was elevated to Côtes du Rhône Cru status in 2010, owing largely to the quality of its wines and the efforts of the appellation’s winemakers. Rasteau is also known for its Vin Doux Naturel fortified wines.

Answer 176

The AOC’s wines must contain at least 50% Grenache. Grenache Noir is the king of Rasteau’s vineyards, and is found in all of its vats. It creates structured, aromatic wines that are generous and full-bodied. It is a robust grape that stands up well to both winds and lack of water. It is perfectly suited to Rasteau’s terroir with its exposed hillsides with dry, barren land. Produced using old vines, the result is a heady, structured wine with notes of ripe fruits and spices. Syrah and Mourvèdre (20% minimum) are added to the Grenache for a balanced wine. Syrah, native to the northern Côtes du Rhône, is the most recent addition to Rasteau. It gives the wines an intense colour, and a refined, complex character with notes of black fruits, violet, and spices. Mourvèdre is only cultivated in locations with the best sun, and produces tannic, structured wines with aromas of woodland and fruit preserves. Other grape varieties include: Carignan, a traditional variety from around the Mediterranean that demands a warm climate, stands up well to wind and drought, and is suited to the hot, dry terroirs of Rasteau. In these barren conditions, it gives the wine a beautiful colour, and a structure that ages well.

Answer 177

The Rasteau vineyard was born in 30BC. Following a period where little was heard of the wine, it was given a new lease of life by the ecclesiastical community in the Middle Ages: so much so that in the 18th century, the vineyard was one of the largest in the Vaucluse, known mainly for its fortified wines. However, in 1870, phylloxera destroyed the vineyard, and American root-stocks had to be used. In 1935, the winemakers decided go back to their roots, and recommenced production of Vin Doux Naturel in Rasteau. In 1937, the village became part of the Côtes du Rhône AOC, and in 1944 the Rasteau AOC was created for its Vin Doux Naturel. In 1966, Rasteau’s dry wines became part of the Côtes du Rhône Villages appellation. Since 2010, the determination of the area’s winemakers has seen Rasteau (dry) red wines become a local appellation. Rasteau is now a Cru of the Southern Rhone Valley.

Answer 178

The AOC vineyard is spread across most of the village’s vineyards, in the Vaucluse.

Answer 179

Mediterranean influence, south-facing hillsides, some protection from Mistral winds.

Answer 180

One of the many blessings bestowed upon Rasteau Cru is its greatly diverse soils that give the wines their incredibly rich nose that finds its niche somewhere between strength and elegance. The terroir simultaneously contains clay-limestone soil, skeletal soils on marl, and red soil atop sandstone. Each root stock is chosen according to the type of ground, so that the vines are cultivated in the best possible conditions. A large number of plots are covered in pebbles. They were carried down from the Alps by the Ouvèze when the glaciers melted over 18 million years ago. These pebbles are remarkable in that they store the heat of the day, thereby keeping the vines warm at night and producing a greater concentration of grapes. In summer, the vines are forced to search deeper to find the resources they need. Thier roots mean that it is less sensitive to water shortages, and enables the grapes to properly ripen. The “poor” Rasteau soils produce high quality wines.

Answer 181

This variety is known by a number of different names: Piquepoul, Picapoll, Picpouille, Avillo and even Picapulla. The compact clusters are of normal size, cylindrical/conical in shape and always winged. The berries, too, are of medium size. This variety is heavy-yielding but needs hard pruning. Picpoul grapes produce a neutral, dry white wine of middling quality. When blended with other varieties, it can contribute to wines that are stylish, distinctive and with a high alcoholic content. This grape is grown in the Gard and sometimes in the Gigondas area.

Answer 182

The Calitor grape variety is no longer widely grown in France. It probably derives its name from the Provencal words col (stalk) and tor (twisted), because of the bend in its stalk. High-yielding, it grows best on warm, dry soils. The Calitor grape produces a lightly coloured, low-alcohol wine.In the Rhone Valley, Calitor grapes are used only as part of the blend for Tavel wines.

Answer 183

The flattened-cone shaped clusters of this variety tend to be medium to large in size. They consist of oblong berries of medium size, forming a compact, winged mass. This grape lends plum and gooseberry flavours to the wines in which it is used. The Terret Noir grape is used in the composition of Châteauneuf du Pape and Côtes du Rhône Villages wines. It features as a secondary variety in Côtes du Rhône wines from both the northern and southern areas of the valley.

Answer 184

Because it ripens late, the Vermentino grape needs a warm climate and can be grown only in regions which get plenty of sunshine. Vermentino contributes lightness and fresh acidity. In terms of flavour, it is complex grape, with hints of grapefruit, fresh-picked apple, green almonds, mild spices, hawthorn, ripe pear and fresh pineapple. Widely used in making wines from the Côtes du Luberon, in which it accounts for 8% of the area devoted to growing white grapes. It is also used in Costières de Nîmes and Ventoux.

Answer 185

Though native to the Rhone Valley, this white grape variety is very little used nowadays. It has distinctive downy buds and fairly large leaves. Shaped like a truncated cone, the grape clusters are tight-packed. The individual berries are smaller than those of the Cinsault vine and become pinkish in colour as they reach maturity. Picardin grapes are sweet in flavour, with a slightly musky aroma. Picardin is one of the varieties in Châteauneuf du Pape.

Answer 186

Used in the composition of the AOC Côtes du Rhône appellation (10% maximum), the Marselan grape gives a complex, deep-red wine with an abundance of supple, harmonious tannins. It makes a good basis for blends of different varieties on account of its polyphenolic, anthocyanic and tannic properties.

Answer 187

Though unforgiving (it flourishes only in strong sunshine, on south and south-west facing hillsides and terraces), and difficult to cultivate and vinify, the Viognier grape, when well looked after, produces an irresistible, exotic wine. The bouquet is impressive and its spicy flavours linger admirably on the palate. This grape variety yields stylish white wines, smooth, mellow and full-bodied. It has a subtle fragrance, with delicious notes of yellow fruits (mango, pear, peach, apricot, quince), spring flowers (violet, iris, acacia), musk and spices, as well as grilled hazelnuts and almonds. Reconciling opposites, these dry white wines also have an amazing mellow feel to them. Wines made from the Viognier grape are an epicure’s delight, giving immediate pleasure: Condrieu appellations are at their best after two or three years, by when they are opulent and exotic, while Château-Grillet, though cask-aged for 12 to 18 months, is ready for drinking very soon after bottling. Viognier is also a component of Côte-Rôtie blends, contributing a hint of violets. It goes particularly well with green asparagus, sushi, oysters, quenelles in a Nantua sauce, pike, crayfish tails, Rigotte de Condrieu and Picodon de la Drôme cheeses, or almond galette...

Answer 188

The cradle of the Viognier grape is the village of Condrieu and the surrounding hillsides, and until recently, it was planted only in this area. Legend has it that Viognier is of Dalmatian origin, and was brought to France by the Emperor Probus. Although the name derives from the Celtic word vidu (meaning wood), also the root of the place name of Vions in Savoy, an analysis of its DNA performed in 2004 by researchers at the University of California (Davis), showed the grape to be of Alpine origin, closely related to the Freisa variety from Piedmont. It was virtually unknown until the early 1960s, when it occupied a mere 28 hectares of ground around Condrieu, and was almost wiped out by phylloxera. In 1986, the area under Viognier vines was down to a mere 20 hectares. Then, thanks to the fame of Condrieu wines, it was exported to the French Midi region and abroad. The Viognier grape flourishes on poor soils, pulverulent granites, micas and thin limestone. It is not particularly fertile, yielding between 20 and 30 hl/ha of grapes in good years. To develop its fabulous flavours, it demands perfect growing conditions in terms of exposure.

Answer 189

There are now 2,620 hectares under Viognier vines, though it qualifies for AOC status only in restricted part of the northern Côtes du Rhône wine-growing area. Abroad, it is used in wine-making in Italy, Spain, Greece, Switzerland and Austria, but is best known as one of the great American white grape varieties, grown mainly in California. It is also very popular in Australia, where it accounts for 70% of the area under white-grape vines. In our latitudes, you will find it in flower in the early part of June, and the grapes are fully ripe in early September.

Answer 190

With such an attractive name, this grape was for a long time believed to have originated in Persia, Syria, or perhaps Syracuse. However, recent analyses have shown its roots to be in Savoy and the Ardèche. A low-yielding variety, rare and highly prized, Syrah is grown exclusively on soils suited to its cultivation. A Southern girl, it is spicy in character with delicious hints of violet, well expressed in the Rhone wines its produces, which are both stylish and complex. Encounter…

Answer 191

Black, peppery, well-structured: Syrah is a grape with a well-established reputation. It produced wines of deep colour that are full of flavour, high in alcohol and stylish, albeit robust in structure. High in tannins and low in acidity, Syrah wines are therefore ideal for aging. The reds are fruity in flavour (red and black berry fruits: raspberry, gooseberry, blueberry, blackberry), with floral notes (violet, mignonette) and hints of spice (truffle, pepper, liquorice, menthol). The grape also produces some nice fruity rosés. As it ages, the characteristic violet nose develops more complex notes, including musk, truffle, leather, pepper and licorice…

Answer 192

Syrah is one of the red-grape varieties most characteristic of the northern part of the Côtes du Rhône wine-growing area. Because of its rarity, it is used only to produce some of the great wines. It is, however, grown all around the world, covering a total area of 140,000 hectares, in such far-flung countries as Argentina, South Africa, the USA (California), Chile, New Zealand and Mexico. In Australia, it goes by the name of Shiraz.

Answer 193

To discover the Syrah vine, take a stroll through our vineyards! It puts forth attractive shoots, which are fragile and downy when young, and tender green leaves. When full-grown, the leaves have five lobes. The grapes are small to medium in size, silky smooth and deep purple in colour.

Answer 194

This Muscat variety with its small black berries was first grown in the vineyards of Greece. It is also referred to as Moscatello Nero or Black Frontignan. It reaches maturity in the “second period” (i.e. 12 days after the Chasselas Doré grape, which is taken as the “baseline” in the Pulliat system of classification). The averagely vigorous vine is easily recognised by the bronze colour and cobweb-like appearance of the young leaves. The white, downy young shoots are edged with crimson, while the limb (blade) of the adult leaf is smooth in appearance. The grapes grow in compact, cylindrical clusters, bearing berries of middling size. The grapes are very sweet and juicy, with a characteristic strong musky flavour. The Muscat variety with its small black grapes is excellent for making unfortified sweet wines. They have a rich bouquet, comprising the aromas of lemon flower, beeswax and lime.

Answer 195

Grenache, the most widely grown grape variety in the Rhone Valley, is a charmer, offering both warmth and roundness of character. Famous for its upright habit and vigorous growth, it is a versatile grape that can adapt to a range of soils and growing conditions (terroirs). One thing is certain: in blends of different grapes, it embodies all the joie de vivre and generosity of Rhone wines… Irresistible!

Answer 196

In its seductive, lustrous red depths, the Grenache grape conceals a range of attractive flavours. Rosé versions are pale in colour, silky on the palate and packed with fruit. To reds, it lends a heady fullness and flavours of blackcurrant and rich spices. One of the clearest proofs of its generosity is the way the tannins mellow with age, to reveal delicious fruit flavours, the tang of the surrounding garrigue, spicy notes, even peppery fragrances…

Answer 197

It has been said that Grenache Noir is above all a southern grape variety. Arriving from Spain (probably the Kingdom of Aragon) in the Middle Ages, it took the Rhone Valley and the whole of the South of France by storm. Elsewhere, it is grown mainly in Spain, where it is still the primary grape variety, particularly in Rioja and Navarre. A world tour of Grenache vineyards will take you to many countries: it is also grown in Italy, Greece, Portugal, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, California, Argentina and Australia…

Answer 198

Grenache is undoubtedly the easiest grape variety to identify. The grape has a tough, thick, bluish skin. The large clusters are loaded with large, round, juicy berries, while its light green leaves are smooth and shiny. Finally, the leaves are rather rounded in shape, without the pronounced lobes you find in the case of Syrah, for example.

Answer 199

An averagely vigorous grape variety, it reaches maturity in the course of September. It does well on soils that are warm, stony and well drained, on thin, arid hillside soils, and on stony soils consisting of alluvial deposits and limestone. It is a delicate and very stylish grape. Roussane produces wines of great elegance, stylish and complex, developing distinctive floral notes (honeysuckle, iris). Crozes Hermitage, Hermitage, Saint-Joseph, Saint-Péray, (in all these appellations, it can be combined with Marsanne grapes); white Côtes du Rhône Villages and white Côtes du Rhône wines (as part of a blend), Costières de Nîmes, Coteaux du Tricastin, Côtes du Luberon.

Answer 200

A very vigorous, high-yielding grape, which reaches maturity from 15 September. A hardy variety, it grows on hillside areas of low fertility. It does well in warm, stony soils, mainly in the northern part of the Côtes du Rhône region. Marsanne produces powerful wines, of medium acidity. As the wine ages, it develops distinctive floral and hazelnut flavours. Crozes Hermitage, Hermitage, Saint-Joseph, Saint-Péray, (in all these appellations, it can be combined with Roussane grapes); white Côtes du Rhône Villages and white Côtes du Rhône wines (as part of a blend), Costières de Nîmes, Grignan-les-Adhémar, Luberon, Ventoux.

Answer 201

A fairly vigorous variety that can be counted on to yield well year by year, its grapes ripen in the second half of September. It requires plenty of warmth and is resistant to drought and strong winds. The yield needs to be carefully controlled. With its average depth of colour, stylish fruity flavours, low acidity and supple tannins, Cinsault is well suited for making rosé wines by the “saignée” method (i.e. the grapes are pressed to ferment with the skins for a short period) and early drinking wines. Tavel (15 % minimum of the grapes used in the blend), Gigondas (10 % maximum), red and rosé Côtes du Rhône Villages wines (20 % maximum), red and rosé Côtes du Rhône (30 % maximum), Costières de Nîmes, Coteaux du Tricastin, Luberon, Ventoux.

Answer 202

A grape of mysterious origins, long regarded as a secondary variety, Mourvèdre is now widely cultivated in the southern Rhone Valley on sun-drenched south-facing slopes. Robust, of unequalled warmth and generosity, it yields wines that are powerful, full-bodied, strong in tannins, yet very stylish. Undoubtedly, it still has some surprises up its sleeve… and since 2002 has had its own fan club, the “Conservatoire du cépage Mourvèdre”.

Answer 203

Though often underestimated, Mourvèdre has a strong personality, yielding wines that are deeply coloured, full-bodied and well-structured. Its tannins, tight in texture and long-lasting, are ideal for making red wine. Young Mourvèdre wines are rich in notes of pear and black berry fruits (blackcurrant, blackberry), with hints of the garrigue and of bay laurel. As they age (around five years old), they develop a more rounded personality with more complex flavours. It is then possible to detect hints of truffle, leather, jammy fruit flavours (plum, blackberry and blueberry), as well as attractive scents of wild game and spices. When used for making rosé wines, the Mourvèdre grape prolongs their freshness and enhances flavour.

Answer 204

The history of Mourvèdre is shrouded in mystery (there are vague references to it going back four centuries), but it would seem to have come to us from Spain. It is thought to have links with the Mataro grape, which is widely grown there, especially in Catalonia. Its French name may derive from the village of Murviedro, located in the province of Valance. The only thing we know for certain is that it was always grown in the south/south-east of France, and it was far more widely cultivated before the phylloxera crisis. To see it growing in the Rhone vineyards, you would do well to go to the Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Beaumes de Venise areas…

Answer 205

Mourvèdre has an upright growing habit and the grapes are thick-skinned. The clusters are compact, medium to large in size, conical in shape, narrow and often winged. The individual berries are of medium size, spherical, bluish black and thick-skinned. The luscious flesh is juicy with a pungent flavour. An unusual feature of this variety is that the buds break very late and the grapes take time to ripen. They need a great deal of warmth and sunlight over a long period. The vine is vigorous, adapting well to poor soils, and tolerates the strong southern winds. It can yield heavily, and requires carefully controlled pruning.

Answer 206

Formerly referred to as Moustardier in the old vineyards of Gigondas and Tavel, this grape variety is little grown nowadays. When blended with other grapes, it contributes fruity and spicy notes. Wines made from Counoise are light in colour. They are delicate and fruity in flavour, with a variety of fruity, floral and spicy notes. Counoise is used throughout the Rhone Valley area.

Answer 207

Wines made with this grape have a bouquet rich in floral and fruity notes, and a stylish, elegant structure, low in tannins. Picpoul Noir is grown in the Gard and sometimes in the Gigondas area.

Answer 208

Sensitive to the wind, this variety produces a pale, rather stylish wine. The Ugni Blanc grape produces a pale yellow, dry wine. Used in a blend, it contributes a touch of acidity to some over-mellow varieties, adding freshness and sophistication. Ugni Blanc is used in making Côtes du Luberon and Ventoux wines.

Answer 209

Clairette is one of southern France’s oldest grape varieties, typical of the Mediterranean region. Its cylindrical/conical clusters are of medium size. The flesh of the grape is especially juicy. The vine is well adapted to dry, infertile limestone soils. Clairette can be vinified on its own or blended with other grape varieties. It needs to be pruned hard to get a good yield. The grapes produce a fruity wine, high in alcohol content and low in acidity. The finish is slightly bitter. As the wine maderises (oxidises) quickly, it is best drunk within the first year. Wines made from this grape are characterised by flavours of fennel, apple, lime, apricot and peach.

Answer 210

The flattened-cone shaped clusters of the Grenache Gris grape tend to be middling to large in size, winged and compact. When the grape reaches maturity, the stalks become woody. Grenache Gris is a vigorous variety, with an upright growth habit, extremely resistant to both strong winds and drought. It is especially productive when grown on dry, stony hillsides. It generally reaches maturity in the “third period” of the Pulliat classification system, roughly ten days ahead of the Carignan grape. Grenache Gris is devoted almost exclusively to making rosé wines.

Answer 211

A very vigorous and hardy variety that reaches maturity between 25 September and 25 October. Demanding plenty of sunshine and ripening late, it does very well in the southern Rhone Valley. It produces white wines with floral aromas, low in alcohol, best drunk young. Gigondas, Lirac, Tavel, Vacqueyras, white Côtes du Rhône Villages and white Côtes du Rhône wines (as part of a blend), Costières de Nîmes, Côtes du Luberon, Ventoux.

Answer 212

Maccabeo is easily recognised by its bulky, winged, pyramid-shaped clusters, which are branching and very often compact in appearance. The individual berries are of medium size, spherical in shape, ranging in colour from yellow-green to golden yellow, depending on their degree of ripeness. The flesh is sweet and juicy. The Maccabeo grape produces stylish, fruity wines, high in alcoholic content and low in acidity. They are straw yellow in colour. This variety is grown in the Costières de Nîmes and Côtes du Luberon areas, where it accounts for 8% of the area under white grapes.

Answer 213

The most important, and variable, appellation in the southern rhône in terms of quality, producing mainly rich, spicy, full-bodied red wines which can be some of the most alluring expressions of warm-climate viticulture, but can also be either impossibly tannic or disappointingly jammy. Only one in every 16 distinctively heavy and embossed Châteauneuf-du-Pape bottles contains full bodied white wine, which since the 1990s has been increasingly fresh and well made. Rosé is even rarer. The wine takes its name, which means ‘Pope’s new castle’, from the relocation of the papal court to Avignon in the 14th century, and in particular from the construction of summer quarters just north of the city in a village once known as Calcernier for its limestone quarry. It is now called Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The Gascon Pope Clément V (after whom Ch Pape-Clément in pessac-léognan is named) arrived at Avignon in 1309 and is supposed to have ordered the planting of vines, but it was his successor John XXII who is credited with developing a papal vineyard in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The history of Châteauneuf-du-Pape the wine as such is relatively recent, however. As Livingstone-Learmonth points out, the region’s wine was known simply as vin d’Avignon in the 18th century, when it was shipped northwards up river. In the early 19th century, a wine called Châteauneuf-du-Pape-Calcernier emerges, but from jullien’s description it sounds a much lighter wine than the Châteauneuf-du-Pape of today. Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s reputation steadily grew within France until the arrival of the phylloxera louse began seriously to affect wine production, in the early 1870s, before most other French wine regions. Reconstruction of the vineyards was financially devastating, and the Châteauneuf-du-Pape vignerons were just some of those affected by the adulteration and fraud that were rife in the early 20th century. By 1923, the most energetic and well connected of their number, Baron Le Roy of Ch Fortia, had successfully drawn up a set of rules for the production of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with the co-operation of his peers, which was the prototype for the entire appellation contrôlée system. Among what have now become the usual regulations, it involved the first geographical delimitation of the original production zone, land being defined as suitable if it were so infertile and arid that thyme and lavender would grow on it. Another notable feature was the minimum specified alcoholic strength, at 12.5% still the highest in France, and in the southern Rhône this must be achieved without the aid of external sugar addition, or chaptalization. triage of picked grapes was mandatory and rosé was outlawed (with a flick of the nose at the vignerons of tavel just across the river). When gigondas drew up its own appellation rules, it incorporated many of these exigencies. Perhaps it is because of the antiquity of Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s wine regulations that quite so many vine varieties are theoretically permitted by the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation (because vines are such a long-term crop, appellation laws have to countenance the status quo to a certain extent). Three more varieties were added to the original ten in 1936. Today 18 varieties are authorized, without distinction between red and white wines. The Châteauneuf-du-Pape grape par excellence is grenache and conversely Châteauneuf-du-Pape is its finest expression in France. Grenache dominates plantings in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyards, and on their impoverished soils, with yields officially restricted to a base rate of just 35 hl/ha (2 tons/acre), it can produce wines which combine concentration with the usual sweet fruit of Grenache, although it is particularly prone to coulure. mourvèdre is an increasingly popular ingredient, although it needs the warmest mesoclimates to ripen fully, while syrah from the northern Rhône has also been planted by producers who admire its tannins and structure, although, unlike Grenache and Mourvèdre, it needs care to avoid overripeness and is falling from favour in some quarters. cinsaut is also grown, but to a declining extent. Of the other permitted dark-skinned varieties, muscardin, vaccarèse, picquepoul Noir, terret Noir, and counoise, only the last is grown to any significant extent, and has its admirers, particularly at Ch de Beaucastel, one of the most rigorous producers of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and one of the few to cultivate such a wide range of varieties. For white Châteauneuf-du-Pape, there is considerable variation in the proportions of Grenache Blanc, clairette, bourboulenc, and roussanne planted, although Ch de Beaucastel have demonstrated that a varietal Roussanne can be a worthy candidate for barrel maturation. picardan, which is not widely planted, produces light, relatively neutral wine. By 2013, the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation comprised 3,161 ha/7,808 acres of relatively flat vineyards at varying elevations and expositions above the river in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and the neighbouring communes of Bédarrides, Courthézon, Orange, and Sorgues. The terrain is traditionally characterized by the large pebbles, or galets, some of them several inches across, which cover many of the more photographed vineyards, supposedly retaining heat and speeding the ripening process of the traditionally low-trained gobelet vines. Soils in Châteauneuf-du-Pape are more varied than this, however (see soil map in Johnson and Robinson, 2013), and those at the celebrated Ch Rayas, for example, are sandy calcareous without a galet in sight. On south-facing slopes, any reradiated night-time heat could well be too much, so, on very pebbly ground, the best vineyards may face at least partly north to moderate this. Most wines are blends from different subzones, but some of the many highly priced special cuvées in particular that have proliferated, sometimes to the detriment are the product of single vineyards. The key with red Châteauneuf-du-Pape in general is to balance the accumulation of sugar in grapes, and therefore alcohol content, with the phenolics, and tannins in particular. Traditionally destemming has been avoided, and fairly hot fermentations have been accompanied by frequent punching down or pumping over, so that some wines have been tannic, although it is also easy for others to be too alcoholic without the flavour and structure to support it. This is arguably France’s appellation most evidently affected by climate change and musts can sometimes reach nearly 17% potential alcohol. Since the 1970s, a number of producers have used carbonic maceration or semi-carbonic maceration to produce lighter, fruitier wines which can be drunk from about three years rather than from five or six. This is by no means a high-tech wine region, however. Some notable wines include Ch de Beaucastel, Henri Bonneau (Réserve des Célestins), Chapoutier’s Barbe Rac, Domaine de la Janasse, Domaine de Pegaü, Ch Rayas, and Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe but dozens more have left the co-operative system to make their own wine, some of which have established more recent reputations. White Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a relative rarity, and may be made according to a wide range of formulae but overall quality has been steadily increasing. The wines are always full bodied and the less successful lack acidity and bouquet. They should usually be drunk young, although the all-Roussanne Vieilles Vignes bottling from Ch de Beaucastel can withstand several years in bottle.

Answer 214

Good-value red and rosé wine appellation in the southern rhône. From just over a third of the total area, the best wines are remarkably similar to good red châteauneuf-du-pape, with the benefit of higher elevations and more limestone. Overall wine standards are high, even if Gigondas winemaking can in some cases be more rustic than high-tech. Gigondas shares Châteauneuf’s low maximum yield, 35 hl/ha (2 tons/acre); high minimum natural alcoholic strength, 12.5%; and a compulsory triage to eliminate imperfect grapes. Unlike Châteauneuf, however, it exists in rosé form. In 2013 the total vignoble was 1,216 ha/3,003 acres of rugged, herb-scented vineyard just below the spectacularly jagged wall of rock, the Dentelles de Montmirail. Grenache grapes must constitute between 50 and 100% of the blend with Syrah and particularly Mourvèdre the most popular blending partners. The district has been noted for its wine since Roman times. Later a significant proportion of the land under vine formed part of the estates of the princes of Orange. In the 20th century, however, lacking a Baron Le Roy of its own (see châteauneuf-du-pape), it laboured under the commercial disadvantage of qualifying merely for the Côtes du Rhône appellation for several decades. In 1966, it was elevated to Côtes du Rhône-Villages, and in 1971, won its own appellation. The best wines can repay bottle ageing for a decade or more.

Answer 215

Known as Carignane in the US, Carignano in Italy (Bovale Grande in Sardinia), and Mazuelo and Cariñena in Spain, late-ripening black grape variety which was once so widely planted in languedoc-roussillon that it was France’s most planted vine for much of the last century. Thanks to eu bribes it had fallen to fifth most planted red wine grape in France by 2011 when plantings totalled 41,718 ha/103,043 acres. Nowadays Carignan seems a very odd choice indeed, although presumably it seemed obvious to many pieds noirs returning in the mid 20th century from algeria, where the wine industry depended at one time on its 140,000 ha/350,000 acres of Carignan. In much of southern France its wine is high in everything—acidity, tannins, colour, bitterness—but finesse and charm. This gives it the double inconvenience of being unsuitable for early consumption yet unworthy of maturation. The astringency of basic red from the Languedoc has owed much to Carignan’s ubiquity, although blending with Cinsaut or Grenache helped considerably, and carbonic maceration helped disguise, if not exactly compensate for, Carignan’s lack of youthful charm. The vine is not even particularly easy to grow. It is extremely sensitive to powdery mildew, quite sensitive to downy mildew, prone to rot, and prey to infestation by grape worms. Its diffusion was presumably beneficial to the agrochemical industry. Its bunches keep such a tenacious hold on the vine that it does not adapt well to mechanical harvesting and is mainly grown in bush vines. There must have been some attribute which led to the almost exclusive dissemination of Carignan throughout the Midi in the 1950s and 1960s, and there was: yield. The vine can quite easily be persuaded to produce almost 200 hl/ha (11 tons/acre), ideal for a thirsty but not discriminating post-Second World War market. It also buds late, which gave it extra allure as a substitute for the much lighter aramon, previously France’s number one vine, which had been badly affected by the frosts of 1956 and 1963. It ripens late, too, however, limiting its cultivation to Mediterranean wine regions. The regulations for the Languedoc-Roussillon’s appellations have been forced to embrace the ubiquitous Carignan, but it is hard to argue that, for example, Minervois or Corbières are improved by their (continually reduced) Carignan component. Those wines that depend most heavily on the ‘improving’ varieties such as Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre and least on Carignan are almost invariably the most successful—with the exception of some wines made with care from well-sited old bush vines which can make concentrated marvels such as those of Domaine d’Aupilhac in Montpeyroux, Bertrand Bergé in Fitou, and Roc des Anges in Roussillon. The fuller-bodied white mutation Carignan Blanc can still be found in some vineyards of the Languedoc and, in particular, Roussillon. Although the vine (like Grenache) may have originated in Spain in the province of Aragón, it is not widely planted there today. Carignan is not even the principal grape variety in the wine that carries its most obvoius Spanish synonym cariñena. It is grown chiefly in Cataluña today although it was historically, as Mazuela, a not particularly distinguished ingredient in Rioja. It also plays a major part in the wines of priorat (where some of the finest Carignan-dominant wines in the world are to be found), costers del segre, penedès, tarragona, and terra alta, so that Spain had total plantings of 5,863 ha/14,481 acres in 2011. Because of its late-ripening habits, Carignan can thrive only in relatively hot climates. At one time it underpinned Israel’s wine industry and there are still 1,645 ha/4,963 acres in Italy. As Carignano it is grown in Lazio and most commonly in Sardinia (perhaps as a result of that island’s long dominance by Aragón), where it makes strong, rich, velvety reds and rosés, notably some seriously exciting Carignano del Sulcis. It is also grown in Cyprus, Turkey, and Croatia. The vine, gaining a vowel as Carignane, has been important in the Americas. Although it is rarely seen as a varietal, there were still about 3,300 acres/1,336 ha in California’s hotter regions in 2012 for the vine’s productivity and vigour are valued by growers, if not consumers. It is also grown (to a much lesser extent) in Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay. And occasional bottlings of savoury old-vine Carignan have surfaced in South Africa. Let some interesting old Carignan vines be treasured but let it not be planted.

Answer 216

Sometimes written Cinsault, is a red grape variety known for centuries in the Languedoc region of southern France that has much in common with grenache. Although it has good drought resistance and its best wines by far come from vines that yield less than 40 hl/ha (2.3 tons/acre), it can all too easily be persuaded to yield generously and unremarkably. The wines it produces tend to be lighter, softer, and, in extreme youth, more aromatic and charmingly cherry-fruited than most of its peers. Although prone to rot, it is particularly well adapted for rosé production and is widely planted throughout southern France, especially in the Hérault and Var départements in Languedoc and Provence respectively. It differs from Grenache by virtue of its long history, its shorter growing season, and its easier adaptation to mechanical harvesting. There was a threefold increase in French plantings in the 1970s, when Cinsaut was officially sanctioned as an ‘improving’ grape variety with which to replace aramon and alicante bouschet, mainly in the Aude and Hérault départements. Since then, the economic realities of quality’s supremacy over quantity have slowed Cinsaut’s fortunes and Languedoc producers have been much more likely to plant a variety with as much character and cachet as Syrah, Merlot, Mourvèdre, or Cabernet Sauvignon. Cinsaut is used almost exclusively to add suppleness, perfume, and immediate fruit to blends (typically compensating for the ubiquitous but curmudgeonly Carignan), although all-Cinsaut rosés are increasingly common. It is an approved but hardly venerated ingredient in the châteauneuf-du-pape cocktail and is often found further east in Provence, as well as in the north of corsica, where it has been widely pulled up in favour of more profitable crops. Total French plantings of Cinsaut fell throughout the 1980s to less than 50,000 ha/123,500 acres (still more vineyard than Cabernet Sauvignon) and by 2011 were less than 19,000 ha. The variety was most important in the 1950s and early 1960s when algeria, then constitutionally part of France, was an important wine producer and depended particularly heavily on its healthily productive 60,000 ha of Cinsaut. Since Algerian wine was then used primarily for blending in France, notoriously for adding body to less reputable burgundies, some of this North African Cinsaut may still be found in a few older bottles of ‘burgundy’. It is still common in morocco and has long played an important part in the wine industry of the lebanon, where it formed the backbone of the wine industry for 150 years and is now experiencing a resurgence in popularity. Cinsaut has in its time played a major part in South as well as North Africa (which makes it all the stranger that South Africa has had little rosé culture). Having been imported from southern France in the mid 19th century, it was South Africa’s most important red wine vine until the mid 1960s and was overtaken by Cabernet Sauvignon as the Cape’s most planted red grape variety only in 1993. In 2012, it was South Africa’s sixth most planted red wine grape with a little under 2,000 ha in total. Cinsaut was once known carelessly as Hermitage in South Africa (although there is no Cinsaut in the northern Rhône). Thus South Africa’s own grape variety speciality, a cross of Pinot Noir with Cinsaut, was named pinotage, now much more respected in South Africa than Cinsaut. In both France and Australia (where its fortunes waned rapidly in the 1970s and 1980s), Cinsaut has occasionally been sold as a table grape under the name Œillade. In southern Italy, it is known as Ottavianello and is planted around Brindisi, producing light, unremarkable red wines. Cinsaut can also be found in Turkey.

Answer 217

Warm climate red grape variety whose considerable fortunes in Spain have been declining (see monastrell) while it has become markedly more fashionable elsewhere. Plantings in France, where it is enjoying a resurgence of popularity in the south, had grown to 9,375 ha/23,156 acres by 2011, the second biggest national total after Spain’s. It cannot be grown successfully much further north than the southern Rhône, however, since it is so late ripening. It is the characteristic grape variety of bandol and is increasingly popular with producers of châteauneuf-du-pape because it ripens at lower sugar levels than grenache. In California and Australia it was often called Mataro but has been enjoying a new lease of life as either varietal Mourvèdre or in a blend with Grenache and Syrah/Shiraz, sometimes called gsm. Mourvèdre dominated Provence until the arrival of phylloxera and the search for productive vines to supply the burgeoning market for cheap table wine. For many decades it marked time in its French enclave Bandol (in 1968 total French plantings were as little as 900 ha) but is now regarded as an extremely modish and desirable ‘improving variety’ throughout the Languedoc and Roussillon, especially now that clones have been selected that no longer display the inconveniently variable yields that once resulted from degenerated vine stock. In southern France, Mourvèdre produces wines considered useful for their structure, intense fruit, and, in good years, perfume often redolent of blackberries. The structure in particular can be a useful foil for Grenache in Provence and Cinsaut further west. In Bandol, it is typically blended with both of these, and the statutory minimum for Mourvèdre is now 50%. Mourvèdre is condoned in a host of appellation contrôlée regulations all over the south of France from Grignan les Adhémar to Collioure, including Châteauneuf-du-Pape and environs. It usually plays a useful supporting role, being fleshier than Syrah, tauter than Grenache and Cinsaut, and more charming than Carignan. Somewhat belatedly, Australia realized it had all the wherewithal to produce authentic Rhône blends, despite the loss of precious old-vine Grenache and Mourvèdre in South Australia in the late 1980s (due to an ill-advised vine pull scheme). Old-vine Grenache–Shiraz–Mourvèdre (or any combinations thereof) have proliferated since the 1990s as resources have been moved from fortified to table wine production, athough plantings of Mourvèdre, still called Mataro in official statistics, had fallen to 729 ha by 2012. Although grown at least since the 1870s, California’s unfashionable Mataro was fast disappearing until the rhône rangers made the connection with Mourvèdre and pushed up demand for wine from these historic stumps, notably in Contra Costa county between San Francisco and the Central Valley, where there were considerable new plantings in the early 1990s thanks to demand from the likes of Bonny Doon and Cline Cellars. By 2012, the state’s total plantings had risen to about 950 acres/385 ha. Rhône mania recently spread north to Washington where there were 165 acres by 2011. South Africa had 359 ha/887 acres which mainly disappeared into blends in 2008. It is also grown on Cyprus.

Answer 218

Widely dispersed pale-skinned vine variety, making full-bodied, scented white wines. Probably originating in the northern rhône, it has all but taken over here from its traditional blending partner and probable close relative roussanne in such appellations as st-joseph, st-péray (where it is sometimes known as Roussette), crozes-hermitage, and, to a slightly lesser extent, hermitage itself, where wines such as chapoutier’s Chante Alouette show that the variety can make exceptionally good wines for ageing. The vine’s relative productivity has doubtless been a factor in its popularity, and modern winemaking techniques have helped mitigate Marsanne’s tendency to flab. It is increasingly planted in the south of France, where, as well as being embraced as an ingredient in most appellations, it is earning itself a reputation as a full-bodied, characterful varietal, or a blending partner for more aromatic, acid varieties such as Roussanne, viognier, and rolle. The wine is particularly deep coloured, full bodied with a heady, if often heavy, aroma of glue, sometimes honeysuckle, verging occasionally on almonds, sometimes bitter in youth. It is not one of the chosen varieties for Châteauneuf-du-Pape, in which grenache blanc supplies many of Marsanne’s characteristics, but France’s total plantings had grown to 1,515 ha/3,742 acres by 2011—mainly in the Rhône valley but supplemented by plantings in Languedoc-Roussillon. A little is planted in Italy and Switzerland, where as Ermitage it produces both light, dry and complex sweet wines in the Valais, but even more interest has been generated in California as part of the rhône rangers movement, although total acreage was only just over 100 acres/40 ha in 2012. Australia has some of the world’s oldest Marsanne vineyards, notably in the state of Victoria, and a fine tradition of valuing this Rhône import and the hefty wines it produces, which have sometimes developed relatively fast in bottle. Total plantings had fallen to under 200 ha/500 acres by 2012, however.

Answer 219

Sometimes Rousanne, fashionable white Rhône grape which doubtless owes its name to the russet or roux colour of its skin. With marsanne, with which it is often blended, it is one of only two vine varieties allowed into the white versions of the northern Rhône's red wine appellations hermitage, crozes-hermitage, and st-joseph and into the exclusively white and often sparkling st-péray. In each of these appellations, Marsanne is far more widely grown because the vine tends to be hardier and more productive. Roussanne's irregular yields, tendency to powdery mildew and rot, and poor wind resistance all but eradicated it from the northern Rhône until better clones were selected and even today it is preferred there by a minority of producers such as Paul jaboulet Aîné. Nevertheless, by 2011 French plantings had grown to 1,768 ha/4,367 acres, rather more than Marsanne with which a parent-offspring relationship has been strongly suggested by dna profiling. Roussanne's chief attribute is its haunting aroma, something akin to a particularly refreshing herb tea, but it can oxidize and age relatively easily. It does need to reach full maturity, however, in order to express itself elegantly. In the southern Rhône, Roussanne (but not Marsanne) is one of four grape varieties allowed into white châteauneuf-du-pape, and Ch de Beaucastel here has demonstrated that their particular mass selection of Roussanne can respond well to oak ageing. The variety is also grown in Provence (although the more common pink-berried Roussanne du Var is a lesser, unrelated variety used for more basic wines) and, increasingly, in the Languedoc and Roussillon, where Roussanne's tendency to ripen late is less problematic than in the northern Rhône and where results can be impressive. Although it is usually classified with Marsanne and Vermentino in appellation regulations, it can make a fine blending partner with the fuller-bodied Chardonnay too. It can suffer in drought conditions, however. The variety is also beguilingly fine and aromatic at Chignin in savoie, where it is known as Bergeron, but should not be confused with roussette. It is grown to a limited extent in Liguria and Tuscany, where it is a permitted ingredient in Italy's Montecarlo Bianco, and is grown for Clos d'Agon on the Catalan coast in Spain. Indeed, it has so much personality that many producers all around the wine world are experimenting with it on a small scale, both in aromatic, full-bodied white blends and as a varietal. According to 2012 statistics there were more than 300 ha in Australia, even if Marsanne is much better established. Roussanne is decidedly more popular than Marsanne in California where there were more than 741 acres/300 ha by 2011, particularly in the Central Coast.

Answer 220

Became one of the world’s most fashionable white grape varieties in the early 1990s, mainly because its most famous wine condrieu is distinctive, was associated with the modish rhône, and was then relatively scarce. By the mid 2000s, it was planted all over the Languedoc and had spread to the great majority of the world’s wine regions, and in Australia had become a common blending partner with various red grapes, especially syrah, for co-fermentation, copying traditional practice in côte rôtie. château grillet is the only other all-Viognier French appellation. dna profiling has shown a parent–offspring relationship with mondeuse blanche, and therefore, not unexpectedly, a close one with syrah. It also suggests a close genetic relationship with freisa from Piedmont, a likely progeny of nebbiolo, making Viognier a cousin of Nebbiolo—something of a surprise. The vines need a relatively warm climate and can withstand drought well but are prone to powdery mildew. The grapes are a deep yellow and the resulting wine is high in colour, alcohol, and a very particular perfume redolent of apricots, peaches, and blossom sometimes with a deeply savoury undertow. Condrieu is one of the few highly priced white wines that should probably be drunk young, while this perfume is at its most heady and before the wine’s slightly low acidity fades. The vine was at one time a common crop on the farmland south of Lyons and has been grown on the infertile terraces of the northern Rhône for centuries but its extremely low productivity, often due to coulure, saw it decline to an official total of just 14 ha/35 acres in the French agricultural census of 1968—mostly in the three northern Rhône appellations in which it is allowed, Condrieu, the only other all-Viognier French appellation château grillet, and, to an even lesser extent, côte rôtie, in which it may be included as a stabilizing agent up to 20% but usually closer to 5% of the Syrah-dominated total. French nurserymen saw an increase in demand for Viognier cuttings from the mid 1980s, however (when the red wines of the Rhône enjoyed a renaissance of popularity), and by 1988 were selling half a million a year. By 1997, more than 100 ha/250 acres of Viognier qualified for the Condrieu appellation and by the turn of the century, Viognier plantings throughout the languedoc-roussillon had reached 1,540 ha (from 139 ha in 1993). By 2011, this total was almost 4,000 ha. Considerable further plantings in the northern and southern Rhône, many of them outside appellation boundaries, took the total French area of Viognier up to 5,874 ha by 2011—quite a contrast to 50 years earlier. French Viognier is often sold as a relatively inexpensive varietal although here and elsewhere the variety has shown itself a willing and able blending partner, not just with other Rhône varieties such as roussanne, marsanne, grenache blanc, and vermentino/rolle, but also, usefully, with Chardonnay. This latter blend has had some success in Italy, where total plantings had grown to more than 1,000 ha by 2010. Graf Hardegg makes some fine varietal Viognier in Austria and it has its champions, such as Gerovassiliou of Greece, in many European wine regions but is rarely planted to any great extent. California has the world’s second biggest area of Viognier planted: just over 3,000 acres/1,215 ha in 2012, much of it in the Central Coast. Many examples are notably high in alcohol when ripened under the reliable California sun, but Viognier has to be fully ripe before it reveals its trademark heady aromas. So seductive is it that there has been considerable experimentation with it all over North America, particularly in virginia which has adopted it as its signature white wine and also in Washington, Oregon, Texas, and British Columbia. By 2011, Argentina had more than 800 ha and Chile had almost 300 ha, both of them having made some convincing examples of this popular variety which is also planted in Brazil and, with particular success, in Uruguay. Australian producers, led by Yalumba, have welcomed it with particular enthusiasm, using it both as a varietal white wine and as a 5–10% blend with Shiraz. Total plantings had reached 1,194 ha by 2012. In New Zealand it is generally slightly less expressive but was planted on 160 ha by 2012. South Africa has been catching up fast and had 884 ha widely spread around the country by 2012. Today the consumer can choose from a range of recognizably perfumed, if slightly light, southern French varietal Viogniers, some of them produced from vines field grafted over to Viognier from less fashionable varieties, some of them perhaps perfumed by other aromas including a dollop of Muscat. The California way with Viognier is a notably alcoholic one, but when it works these monsters can be magnificent.

Answer 221

Is a much-used name for southern French white grape varieties. Clairette Ronde, for example, is the Languedoc name for the ubiquitous ugni blanc, and various Clairettes serve as synonyms for the much finer bourboulenc. True Clairette Blanche, however, is very old Languedoc variety grown on a total of 2,274 ha/5,617 acres of French vineyard in 2011, being allowed into a wide range of southern Rhône, Provençal, and Languedoc appellations, even lending its name to three (see below). Clairette is a traditional variety well suited to poor, dry soils, for long grown in what Galet calls ‘the land of the olive tree’. Its small, thick-skinned grapes ripen relatively late, but can ripen dangerously fast at the end of the growing season. In the southern Rhône, it is particularly popular for adding aroma and acidity to a blend, not least with the fatter grenache blanc. Clairette is widely distributed throughout the eastern Midi, especially in the Gard, where it produces clairette de bellegarde and in the Hérault for clairette du languedoc, two of the Languedoc’s earliest controlled appellations, presumably because these white wines were so unlike the typical produce of the Midi. Its other stronghold is the Drôme département since Clairette is the main ingredient in clairette de die and crémant de die. Partly because it was an ingredient in picardan, the variety spread far and wide, including to southern russia, in the 19th and early 20th centuries. At one time there were sizeable plantings in Algeria. It is known as Clairette Blanche in South Africa, where it was once as widely planted as in France. Some old plantings can still be found.

Answer 222

Is an ancient Provençal white grape variety. Ripening late but keeping its acidity well, it is allowed into a wide variety of Provençal and southern Rhône appellations (including Châteauneuf-du-Pape) but is rarely encountered as a dominant variety other than in the distinctively marine whites of La clape and an increasing number of other Languedoc whites. France’s total area of Bourboulenc was 566 ha/1,398 acres in 2011. Together with Maccabéo, it should constitute more than 50% of the blend for any white minervois, and the two, with Grenache Blanc, should dominate corbières Blanc. Wine produced can be fine, crisp, and aromatic.

Answer 223

Popular dry, aromatic languedoc white given its own aoc in 2013, when it appropriated the name Picpoul and decreed that piquepoul be used for the variety by all other appellations. The green-gold, full-bodied, lemon-flavoured white wine is grown on about 2,400 ha/5928 acres of fairly low-lying land between Pézenas and the Bassin de Thau lagoon exclusively from Picpoul Blanc grapes. This curious speciality, one of the country’s few varietally named AOC wines, has in the post-modern age of vinification attracted new interest. Millions of tourists each summer see the well-signposted co-operative at Pinet, the most important producer of this distinctive wine and clearly visible from the main autoroute along the Mediterranean coast. The co-operative at Pomerols and some individual domaines such as Félines Jourdan have made some good examples.

Answer 224

Is one of the Languedoc’s oldest vine varieties and, like pinot, has had plenty of time to mutate into different shades of grape, which may even be found on the same plant. Terret Gris was once by far the most planted white wine variety in the Languedoc, even if it was concentrated in the Hérault département. Both Terret Gris and Terret Blanc, both in decline, can be made into a relatively full-bodied but naturally crisp varietal white. The French vineyard survey of 2011 notes 1,281 ha/3,164 acres of Terret Blanc, less of Terret Gris. Some varietal versions are made and both are allowed into the white wines of Minervois, Corbières, and Languedoc. Terret Noir is the even rarer dark-berried version, one of the permitted varieties in red châteauneuf-du-pape, to which it can add useful structure and interest. All Terrets bud usefully late and keep their acidity well.

Answer 225

Region of France on the right bank of the Rhône between the main concentrations of vineyards which constitute the northern and southern rhône Valley in south-east France and now the name of an igp for a wide range of generally varietal wines. Reds are generally light. Chardonnay and to a lesser extent Viognier have been particularly successful here. Louis latour of Burgundy was a pioneer, notably with Grand Ardèche Chardonnay, and the Vignerons Ardechois is a co-operative with high standards.

Answer 226

Small appellation of about 60 ha/150 acres in area round die in the far east of the greater rhône region in the cooler reaches of the Drôme Valley for still wines: light, Gamay-based reds and light whites made from Aligoté and Chardonnay. The local fizz, clairette de die, is more common.

Answer 227

Grenache suffered from coulure at flowering, meaning lower yields but the quality is extremely promising. Alcohol levels are likely to be higher than in the two previous vintages.

Answer 228

A relatively light vintage in terms of alcohol and phenolics, even if not in terms of quantity. A mild winter and wet early spring built up water reserves. The growing season started unusually early but a cool, wet summer put on the brakes so in the end the harvest was one of the latest ever and some red wine grapes struggled to reach full ripeness. Sorting was essential.

Answer 229

Coulure was this year’s bugbear for the vignerons of the Southern Rhône, drastically reducing the Grenache crop: 2013 Côtes du Rhône may well be in short supply. As is often the case where low yields are matched by careful selection, overall quality is good.

Answer 230

Much more successful than 2011. It was a low-acid year in both the northern and southern Rhône. Alcohols are roughly average, but volumes are down by up to 15% on 2011. Clement weather late in the season made for relaxed harvesting however, and vignerons are optimistic about the results which seem to combine ripeness with some freshness.

Answer 231

Reasonably good quality and good yields, but won't be as brilliant as the preceding two vintages. Often drying tannins.

Answer 232

A very successful vintage, with precision and freshness allowing great expression of terroir. Equally outstanding for whites and reds. Excellent.

Answer 233

Hot and dry throughout August, but decent levels of rainfall too, and plenty of wind to keep the vines healthy. Very satisfactory quality fruit at harvest. Impressive. Sometimes over-alcoholic.

Answer 234

Quite gutless reds, thanks to the rain, although whites are worth a look.

Answer 235

Very wet spring but the region had a much drier summer than most of the rest of France. Wines and tannins are very ripe.

Answer 236

Some very lusciously fruited wines that may not last as long as the 2005s but should provide much drinking pleasure in the medium term.

Answer 237

Great concentration and potential coinciding with increasing consistency of winemaking quality.

Answer 238

A little sterner than the 2006s but similar in style.

Answer 239

Excessive heat had fewer ill effects in this hot region than in the (usually) more temperate climes of Bordeaux and Burgundy. But the wines tend to be low in tannin and high in acid and only the best have the balance to last.

Answer 240

o wet that there was flood damage just before harvest. Much downgrading of fruit into humbler bottlings than usual.

Answer 241

Lauded vintage, the result of a very hot, dry summer. An unusually prolonged mistral at the end of August resulted in thick-skinned berries and accentuated tannins. Later harvesting resulted in better balanced wines - especially in higher-yielding vineyards - but acid levels are dangerously low in some cases. There should be some very long-lived top wines however.

Answer 242

Conditions were excellent until quite heavy rains arrived on 19 September. The results, especially from those who picked early and fast, are plump, approachable wines capable of giving great pleasure even if they will not be the longest-lasting.

Answer 243

Rather more challenging vintage than 2000 for growers and wines with less obvious richness than 1998 for wine drinkers. Heavy rains plagued the harvest and quality is distinctly variable.

Answer 244

Much garlanded vintage that struggled to live up to its reputation during its teenage years.

Answer 245

Rather muddy flavours from well ripened grapes.

Answer 246

Coolish, damp summer produced lighter-than-usual wines.

Answer 247

Very good colour and really ripe, concentrated reds. Some producers claim it is better than 1990.

Answer 248

Early harvesters were luckier, most picked in rain, so only average quality.

Answer 249

An unwelcome repeat of 1992's weather: diluted, easy-drinking wines.

Answer 250

Torrential harvest rains drowned the vineyards and the results are pretty dilute.

Answer 251

The Grenache failed at flowering and harvest time was uninspiring. Best forgotten.

Answer 252

Exceptionally sumptous, powerful and heady wines with fairly low acidity. Only the finest survive.

Answer 253

Fabulously concentrated with perhaps more backbone than 1990.

Answer 254

Good in all areas: full bodied and with firm tannins, often termed 'classic'.

Answer 255

Pretty poor generally, cool and wet weather with thin wines the result.

Answer 256

Mostly picked before the rains, these were firm and tannic in their youth.

Answer 257

Charming and ripe, even opulent, and now quite soft.

Answer 258

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Answer 259

Courthézon

Answer 260

The history of the Château de Beaucastel itself extends well beyond 1909, with records dating back to the 1500s. Wine has been made on the property since the early 1800s. The modern history begins in 1909, when Pierre Tramier purchased the property and passed it to his son-in-law, Pierre Perrin. The Perrin family continues to own and operate the property today. They have considerable vineyard holdings located in the northern portion of the appellation in the lieux-dits of Chapouin and Coudeoulet. The vineyards are planted with all 13 authorized grape varieties, though the estate is known to use a high percentage of Mourvèdre in the red wines. They have practiced organic viticulture since the 1960s.

Answer 261

Approximately 70 ha

Answer 262

20,875 cases

Answer 263

Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Blanc and Rouge) Hommage à Jacques Perrin: prestige cuvée, only produced in the best years; made from low-yielding vines Roussanne Vieilles Vignes: from a 3-ha plot of vines over 75 years old

Answer 264

1986 for Roussanne V.V.; 1989 for Hommage à Jacques Perrin

Answer 265

Beaucastel is considered a traditional producer: wines are de-stemmed and fermented in either cement or steel tank. Prior to fermentation, the red grapes are flash-heated for two minutes and then cooled—a process they have employed since the 1960s. Most grapes are fermented through the malolactic fermentation before blending. The wines are aged in old foudres for about 12 months and are bottled without filtering.

Southern Rhone Flashcards

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