Vacqueyras AOP Flashcards
Chat about Vacqueyras AOP
In 1990, Vacqueyras AOP joined Gigondas as the second former Côtes du Rhône village to be promoted to full appellation status. The rustic Vacqueyras wines are usually red, although a small amount of white and rosé wine is produced. A minimum 50% Grenache is required for the red wines
AOC Established
1990
Maximum Yield (Rendement de Base)
36 hl/ha
Minimum Alcohol:
Rouge: 12.5%
Blanc/Rosé: 12%
Assemblage
Red wines must include at least 50% Grenache and at least one complementary variety
Styles and Encépagement:
Blanc: Bourbelenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier (no single variety may account for more than 80%)
Rouge:
Principal Variety: Grenache (min. 50%)
Complementary Varieties: Syrah and Mourvèdre (min. 20% combined Syrah and Mourvèdre), principal and complementary varieties must account for at least 90% of the total
Accessory Varieties: Max. 10% combined Brun Argenté, Carignan, Clairette Rosé, Counoise, Muscardin, Piquepoul Noir, and Terret Noir; max. 5% combined Bourboulenc, Viognier, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Clairette and Marsanne
Rosé:
Principal Varieties: Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, and Mourvèdre (no single variety may account for more than 80%)
Accessory Varieties: Max. 10% other varietals allowed for rouge wines
Overview of Vacqueyras
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
Discussion on grapes and styles
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.
Discussion on history
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
Geography
The vineyard extends across Vacqueyras and Sarrians in the Vaucluse, at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail.
Climate
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.
Soils
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.
Production surface area
1 406 hectares
Total production in 2013
38 212 hl
Colours
95% Red
4% White
1% rosé
