Côtes du Rhône Cru AOC Gigondas
A unique, protected natural environment, where slopes are shaped by human hand to provide a welcoming home for the vines. The vines in Gigondas are nestled at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail mountains, their deep roots nourish those of the Gigondas wines, which have so many marvels to offer grapes that make marvelous Gigondas wines.
The grey limestone soils of the Dentelles de Montmirail provide unique, well-structured terroirs.
These in turn produce red wines with aromas of brandied fruit, developing over time into earthy, truffled notes, while the complex, shimmering rosés display notes of red fruits, almonds, and spices.
Informations
Climate: Mediterranean influenced by Mistral wind
Soils: Sandy / Limestone / Clay limestone-marl
Website appellation: https://www.gigondas-vin.com/
Key figures
Production surface area in 2023: 1 201 HA
Total production in 2023: 37 026 HL
Average annual yeld: 31 HL/HA
Export: 45%
Recognition in AOC by the I.N.A.O.: 1971
Commune: Gigondas
Grape varieties
Clairette blanche
Clairette is one of the oldest grape varieties in the south of France. It is typically Mediterranean. Sometimes vinified alone, as in AOC Clairette de Bellegarde, it can also be blended with other grape varieties, bringing freshness, lightness, and bitter notes providing complexity and balance on the palate.
Grenache noir
The king of the southern Rhône Valley varieties, it alone embodies all the deliciousness and generosity of Rhône wines. The most-planted of our grape varieties, it charms as much by its warmth as by the roundness of its character.
Secondary grape varieties
- Bourboulenc,
- Cinsault,
- Clairette Rose,
- Grenache blanc,
- Grenache gris,
- Marsanne,
- Mourvèdre,
- Piquepoul blanc,
- Roussanne,
- Syrah
Complementary grape varieties
- Bourboulenc,
- Brun argenté (locally known as Camarèse or Vaccarèse),
- Clairette,
- Clairette rose,
- Counoise,
- Grenache blanc,
- Grenache gris,
- Marsanne,
- Muscardin,
- Piquepoul blanc,
- Piquepoul noir,
- Roussanne,
- Terret noir,
- Ugni blanc,
- Viognier
To know
History
There are two stories regarding the origins of the name Gigondas. One claims it comes from gignit undas, or “surging forth from the waters” - a mountainous terroir concealing a vast subterranean reservoir; the second from the Latin jucunda, meaning “joyful,” inspired either by Jucundus, the first land-owner, or from its favourable location with good hunting in the surrounding countryside.
Either way, vines have been grown here since ancient times. Soldiers of the 2nd Roman Legion are credited with creating the first wine estates, while the discovery of vessels used to store wine provides further proof. The earliest written evidence of a vineyard in Gigondas dates back to the 12th century, while official records from 1591 confirm the existence of a burgeoning wine trade in the area. By the 18th century, official harvest dates were already being set and in the late 19th and early 20th century, Gigondas wines were winning medals in competitions all over France.
In 1956, following a series of severe frosts which ravaged the olive groves at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail, many of the hillsides were planted with vines. Gigondas was the first Côtes du Rhône Villages appellation wine to be awarded Cru status, in 1971 for the reds and rosés; 2023 marks the first vintage of Gigondas whites.
Climate
The climate is largely hot and dry with 2,800 hours of sun a year, but can be variable and is influenced by the prevailing Mistral wind.
Soils
The soils leading right up to the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail are made up of alluvial terraces of stony red clay from the Mindel glaciation, and are highly porous and free-draining.
They are also rich in clay, and very similar to the Grand Cru terroirs. As local 19th century lawyer, politician, geologist and winegrower Eugène Raspail explained, “The landscape in the Gigondas area includes three main, parallel, chains that run west to north-east, following a curve whose apex would lie in the north-east. The ridges of all three chains comprise grey limestone dating back to the Jurassic. On the southern side, the first ridge is covered by Oxfordian black clays, while to the north, the third ridge is topped by lower Neocomian and Gault soils, green sandstone and chlorite chalk. The two valleys (Col D’Alsau, and La Buissière) stem exclusively from the Lower Neocomian. In this second valley, near Cayron, clay marls alternate with banks of blue and yellow limestone.”
Geography
The appellation is located in the commune of Gigondas, in the Vaucluse département.
Varieties and flavours
Gigondas wines show a rich nose, with elegant, spicy aromas, and sun-drenched colours varying from ruby to dark garnet red.
Aromas are of red fruits and well-ripened ripe black fruits, while the palate is full and rounded with a good, strong attack.
Reds: Grenache noir, the main variety, reveals its powerful character in a series of gleaming red wines with pronounced tannins, a full body and superb ageing potential. Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault add complexity to the blends.
Rosés: Grenache noir is the main variety as well, with Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault as auxillary varieties.
Whites: the main variety is Clairette, composing at least 70% of the final blend.
Associated appellations
