AOC Côtes du Rhône Villages Sablet
The wines of Sablet are as charming as the adorable village itself, its decorative bell tower peeking out among the rooftops like a bauble. It’s positioned at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail next the pretty village of Gigondas. Vineyards stretch down to the river Ouvèze and reach high into the hills above.
The wines here are renowned for their peerless finesse.
What’s their secret? There’s a clue in the name. The word for sand in French is sable, huge banks of which are found near the village, which is the key to the wine’s elegance. It produces distinctive reds with delicate textures, juicy but neat and compact. Their red fruit flavours are as transparent and clean cut as rubies.
Whites are a speciality here – on the east bank of the Rhône no Named Village makes more white wine than Sablet.
Clairette is their favourite grape, that’s famed for its freshness.
The other flagship grape varieties of the Rhône Valley still find very good soils at their feet.
They also make some lovely rosé. Both display that sophisticated style which has made Sablet one of the most sought-after of all the Côtes du Rhône Villages.
Informations
Climate: Mediterranean influenced by Mistral wind
Soils: Sandy / Limestone / Rocky
Website appellation: http://sablet-vin.com/
Key figures
Production surface area in 2023: 347 HA
Total production in 2023: 11 493 HL
Average annual yeld: 33 HL/HA
Year of recognition within the AOC Côtes du Rhône Villages: 1974
Commune: Sablet
Grape varieties
Main grape varieties
- Bourboulenc,
- Clairette,
- Grenache blanc,
- Grenache noir,
- Marsanne,
- Mourvèdre,
- Roussanne,
- Syrah,
- Viognier
Secondary grape varieties
- Bourboulenc,
- Brun argenté (locally known as Camarèse or Vaccarèse),
- Carignan,
- Carignan blanc,
- Cinsault,
- Clairette,
- Clairette rose,
- Counoise,
- Floréal,
- Grenache blanc,
- Grenache gris,
- Marsanne,
- Muscardin,
- Piquepoul blanc,
- Piquepoul noir,
- Rolle (or Vermentino),
- Roussanne,
- Terret noir,
- Ugni blanc,
- Vidoc,
- Viognier
To know
History
The earliest evidence of human habitation here dates back to Roman times. Winegrowing was introduced by the Counts of Toulouse, then continued to grow from strength to strength during the reign of the Avignon Popes in the 14th century. Growth progressed until the 19th century, when the vineyards were decimated by phylloxera. As a complete coincidence, a Sablet inhabitant invented the grafting machine that led to its revival.
Sablet was elevated to Côtes du Rhône Villages with geographic name status in 1974.
The village is famous for its Book Festival, taking place every year on the third weekend in July and attracting writers, booksellers, binders, illustrators and winegrowers. Bringing together books and wine is an interesting initiative – an opportunity for visitors to relax, learn, and taste the wines made by Sablet’s wine producers specially for the occasion.
Climate
Mediterranean type influenced by the Mistral wind.
Soils
Sand and decalcified red clay mixed with pebbles of various sizes; red sandstone.
Geography
The vineyards lie in the commune of Sablet, adjoining those of Gigondas in the northern part of the Dentelles de Montmirail.
Varieties and flavours
Sablet’s red wine blends must include Grenache noir, supplemented by Syrah and/or Mourvèdre to form at least 66% of the wine. Full-bodied and fleshy, these wines display aromas of ripe black fruits, of violets and dry fruits.
Rosés make up only a small part of Sablet’s production, and are perfect to serve with food.
For white wines, the main grape varieties are Grenache blanc, Clairette blanche, Marsanne, Roussanne, Bourboulenc and Viognier. Sablet whites are well-structured and show notes of vanilla and spice.
Associated appellations
