AOC du Rhone in Languedoc Roussillon

AOC COTES DU VIVARAIS

Geology

The vines flourish on limestone-based land which is fairly shallow, rich in loose stones and marly limestone, soaking up the warmth of the sun in springtime and the heat which is stored up during the day and then released overnight. The subsoil is full of hidden treasures such as caves, sinkholes and resurgent springs...

Climat

The Côtes du Vivarais vineyard has a mixture of olive trees and evergreen oaks and enjoys a Mediterranean climate. The influence of the Mistral also helps its grapes to reach full maturity.

Grapes

Red wines: With aromas of black fruits and spices, fairly sturdy tannins and a lovely coolness, these red wines are the most "northerly of the southern wines”, combining southern Grenache with northern Syrah... The Grenache gives them structure and works incredibly well with the crunch of the Syrah.

Rosés wines: The rosés are made from the same grape varieties as the reds and are highly aromatic, thanks to the Grenache. They also have a wonderful coolness which makes these wines a genuine pleasure to drink.

White wines: The Marsanne and Grenache Blanc grape varieties offer an amazing mineral quality and coolness.

• Key figures: 700 ha

• Average yield 52 hl/ha

• Average production: 20 000 hl

AOC COTES DU RHONE

Geology
Five main soil types are found in the Côtes du Rhône. The shingle clay soil, the stony “argilo-calcaireous” and the soils containing layered stone (on the mountain slopes) provide the vines with a regular source of water and at night give off heat that has been stored up by the stones throughout the day. These types of soil are especially appropriate for producing wine for laying down.
Alternatively, loess and sandy soils offer a more irregular supply of water and are more suitable for producing white, rosé and lighter red wines.

Grapes
For red wines Grenache, the main grape variety for red wines, offers fruitiness, warmth and body. Syrah and Mourvèdre donate a hint of spices, as well as depth of colour and strength to the wine enabling it to age well.
Cinsault is the bearer of finesse and is ideal for making rosé and fruity first year wines. White wines, which are fresh and aromatic, are the result of blending together several grapes, such as Bourboulenc, Grenache white, Roussanne, Marsanne, Clairette, and / or Viognier.

In 1996, following an initiative on the part of the wine growers, a new Appellation decree came into force aimed at endorsing and strengthening the typical characteristics of Côtes du Rhône wines. For the red and rosé wine, Grenache must make up at least 40% of the grape variety mix (excluding Northern wines based on the Syrah grape variety).
In the same way, 80% of the white wine grape variety mix is made up of: Grenache white, Clairette, Marsanne, Roussanne, Bourboulenc and Viognier.

• Key figures 41 827

• Average yield 41 hl/ha

AOC COTES DU RHONE VILLAGES

Geology
The soil types are the same as in the Côtes du Rhône A.O.C., but the climate and soil criteria accepted are far stricter, due to the production rules for this Appellation. As a rule, stony argilo-calcaireous soils produce full bodied "complex" wines, deeply coloured with a powerful bouquet. Dry stony soils produce more refined wines, renowned for elegance, finesse and fruitiness.


Grapes
For the reds, Grenache 50% minimum, Syrah and / or Mourvèdre 20% minimum, other grape varieties tolerated within the Appellation, 20% maximum.

For the rosé, Grenache 50% minimum, Syrah and / or Mourvèdre 20% minimum, other grape varieties tolerated 20% maximum, white grape varieties 20% maximum (Grenache, Clairette, Marsanne, Roussanne, Bourboulenc and Viognier).

For the whites, Grenache white, Clairette white, Marsanne white, Roussanne white, Bourboulenc white, Viognier white, other white grape varieties tolerated 20% maximum.

• Key figures: 7 698 Ha

• Average yield:
  Côtes du Rhône Villages : 36 hl/ha.
  Côtes du Rhône Villages Communaux : 37 hl/ha.

AOC LIRAC

Appellation area
These are spread over 4 communes on the right bank of the Rhône, Lirac, Roquemaure, Saint-Laurent-des-Arbres and Saint-Géniès-de-Comolas, in the French Department of Gard.

Geology
Red terraces of rounded stones, loessal and sandy skeletal soils.

Climate
typically Mediterranean with low rainfall, with an average of 2,700 hours of sunshine per year with the Mistral as the prevailing wind.

Grapes
Mainly Grenache black, Cinsault, Syrah and Mourvèdre for the red and rosé. Mainly Clairette and more especially Bourboulenc Grenache white for the whites.

Vinification
Syrah, goblet of fan pruning with 5 or 6 spurs pruned to2 or 3 productive eyes, or Guyot pruning. For the other grape varieties, short pruning to 2 productive eyes.

• Key figures: 623 ha

• Average yield: 30 hl/ha

• Average production: 18 960 hl

AOC TAVEL

Appellation area
These are situated in commune of Tavel, on the right bank of the Rhône, in the French Department of Gard.

Geology
Three geological formations of light filtering sandstone, fluvial sand and shingle; chalky gravel and red clay, red clay and quartzite shingle.

Climate
Typically Mediterranean with low rainfall, with an average of 2,700 hours of sunshine per year with the Mistral as the prevailing wind.

Grapes
Grenache, maximum of 15% Cinsault, Clairette white and Rosé, and 10% maximum of Picpoul, Calitor, Bourboulenc, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Carignan.

Vinification
cold maceration of between 12 and 24 hours. The free running wine and the pressed juice are blended. Alcoholic fermentation at between 18° and 20°, takes place over 8 to 10 days. Malolactic fermentation is not automatic and depends on the nature of the wine required.

• Key figures: 938 ha

• Average yield: 42 hl/ha

• Average production: 39 082 hl

AOC COSTIERES DE NIMES

Appellation area
It extends over more than 10,000 ha on the right bank of the Rhone River and the hills bordering the delta, where Languedoc and Provence meet.

Geology
Hills and plateaux situated between 20 and 130 metres above sea level are made up of siliceous rounded pebbles (les Gress). The thickness of this alluvial soil varies between 3 and 15 metres, which allows the vines’ roots to go as deep as 4 or 5 metres to find the water vital for proper ripening of the grapes.

Climate
Mediterranean climate with its sea-side influence gives an exceptional bonus in the production of these authentic wines. The 3 essential characteristics being the wind: the Mistral helps to keep the vines healthy; the rainfall: a limited number of intense rainy days and an exceptional number of sunny days.

Grapes
For the red and rosé wines: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Carignan, and Cinsault. For the white wines: White Grenache, Marsanne, Roussane as well as Clairette, Bourboulenc, Maccabeo and Rolle.

• Key figures: 4164 ha

• Average yield: 60 hl/ha

• Average production: 213 728 hl

AOC CLAIRETTE DE BELLEGARDE

 
Appellation Area
Located halfway between Nîmes and Arles in the Bellegarde Commune
 
Geology
Stony soil from the Alpine Diluvium
 
Weather
Mediterranean climate: warm, dry during the summer and temperate because of its closeness to the sea
 
Grape Varietals
For white wines: Clairette
 

• Key figures
  Acreage: Slightly more than 40 hectares
  Average yield: 60hl/ha