Rhône

Appellation in the southern section of the Rhône wine-growing region in France. The vineyard area totals 6.200 hectares spread over 95 communes in the four départements Ardeche, Drôme, Gard and Vaucluse. Compared to the regional AC Côtes du Rhône (which also includes parts of the northern section of the region) the regulations are significantly more stringent. The regulations include a maximum yield of 45 hl/ha, a minimum alcohol level of 12% vol, and very precise rules on the use of grape varieties. In total, 18 communes are permitted to add their names to the AC on the label. They are Cairanne, Chusclan, Laudun, Massif d´Uchaux, Puyméras, Rasteau, Roaix, Rochegude, Rousset-les-Vignes, Sablet, Saint-Gervais, Saint-Maurice, Saint-Pantaléon-les-Vignes, Séguret, Signargues, Valréas, Vinsobres and Visan. Three communes were only added in 2006 : Massif d´Uchaux, Puyméras and Signargues. Since 2005 the red wines of thecommune of Vinsobres may be marketed as an own appellation. These 18 communes have rules that are, in part, even more strict than for the appellation in general, for instance a minimum alcohol content of 12,5% vol for red wines. Their vineyard area totals around 4.000 hectares. Two communes were formerly part of this appellation, but have more recently been classified as AC’s I ntheir own right: Beaumes-de-Venise (2005) and Vacqueyras (1990). A special position is held by the commune of Brézème, which may use the AC Brézème-Côtes du Rhône. The red wine is made from a minimum of 50% Grenache, a minimum of 20% Mourvèdre and/or Syrah, as well as from a maximum of 20% Cinsaut, Clairette, Marsanne, Picpoul, Roussanne, Terret Noir, Viognier and others. Up to 20% white varieties may be used in the production of rosé wines. The white wine is a blend made from a minimum of 80% Clairette, Roussanne and Bourboulenc, a maximum of 10% Grenache Blanc, as well as a total maximum of 10% of Cinsaut, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Picpoul, Syrah, Terret Noir and others. Well-known producers include Domaine Alary, Domaine Brusset, Domaine de Cabasse, Domaine le Clos des Cazaux, Domaine du Coriancon, Domaine de la Costechaude, Domaine Delubac, Domaine de Deurre, Domaine Durban, Domaine de la Fuzière, Château la Gardine, Domaine de la Grangeneuve, Florimond Lambert, Domaine du Lindas, Domaine La Bastide Saint Dominique, Domaine Pélaquié, Domaine de Piaugier, Château Redortier, Domaine Richaud, Domaine St-Anne and Château Signac. A vin doux naturel is also produced in two of the abovementioned communes under the AC´s Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise and Rasteau.