Côtes du Rhône-Villages AOP

Question 1

Chat about Côtes du Rhône-Villages AOP

Answer 1

Côtes du Rhône-Villages AOP is a superior designation for red, white and rosé wine from a delimited area within the Southern Rhône. With the upgrade of Rasteau’s dry reds to AOP status in 2010 and Gadagne’s 2012 promotion to status as a geographic designation, 18 communes may append their names to the appellation. Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah are the principal red grapes for Côtes du Rhône-Villages.

Question 2

Discuss the styles made in Côtes du Rhône-Villages AOP

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

HISTORY

Answer 3

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.

Question 4

Geography

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

Climate

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

SOILS

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

PRODUCTION SURFACE AREA

Answer 7

3 380 hectares

Question 8

TOTAL PRODUCTION IN 2013

Answer 8

116 253hl

Question 9

COLOURS

Answer 9

96% RED

3% WHITE

1% ROSÉ

Question 10

AVERAGE YIELD ACHIEVED

Answer 10

34 hl/ha

Question 11

Styles and Encépagement

Answer 11

Blanc:
Principal Varieties: Min. 80% combined Bourboulenc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier, Clairette, Grenache Blanc
Accessory Varieties: Max. 20% combined Piquepoul Blanc and Ugni Blanc
Rouge:
Principal Variety: Min. 50% Grenache
Complementary Varieties: Min. 20% combined Mourvèdre and Syrah (Principal and Complementary Varieties must account for a min. 80% of the vineyard)
Accessory Varieties: Max. 20% combined Brun Argenté (Camarèse/Vaccarèse), Carignan, Counoise, Cinsault, Muscardin, Piquepoul Noir, and Terret Noir
Rosé:
Principal Variety: Min. 50% Grenache
Complementary Varieties: Min. 20% combined Mourvèdre and Syrah (Principal and Complementary Varieties must account for a min. 80% of the vineyard)
Accessory Varieties: Max. 20% combined Brun Argenté (Camarèse/Vaccarèse), Carignan, Counoise, Cinsault, Muscardin, Piquepoul Noir, Terret Noir, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Clairette Rosé, Grenache Gris, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Piquepoul Blanc, Roussanne, Ugni Blanc, and Viognier

Question 12

Assemblage

Answer 12

Blanc: Min. 50% principal varieties

Rosé/Rouge: Min. 50% Grenache, and at least one of the complementary varieties must be present in the blend.

Question 13

Minimum Potential Alcohol

Answer 13

Blanc/Rosé/Rouge: 12%

Côtes du Rhône-Villages Rouge with Subzone Designation: 12.5%

Question 14

AOC Established

Answer 14

1966

Question 15

Maximum Yield (Rendement de Base)

Answer 15

Côtes du Rhône-Villages: 44 hl/ha

Côtes du Rhône-Villages with Subzone Designation: 41 hl/ha