Main features : a vigorous variety with average ripening times (for other characteristics, see Grenache black).
œnological potential : this variety produces fairly full-bodied, harmonious white wines with low acidity and long finish.
Use : Châteauneuf-du-Pape (blended with Clairette, Roussanne and Bourboulenc), Lirac, Tavel, Vacqueyras, Côtes du Rhône Villages whites, Côtes du Rhône whites (in assembly). Costières de Nîmes, Coteaux du Tricastin, Côtes du Luberon, Côtes du Ventoux.
Main features : extremely vigorous, this variety ripens between September 25 and October 25. Sensitive to wind, it prefers poor, dry, stony and warm soils.
œnological potential : Oxidation sensitive, Clairette white produces robust and full-bodied wines with a complex and delicate floral aroma.
Use : Châteauneuf-du-Pape (blended with Roussanne, Bourboulenc and Grenache white ), Lirac, Tavel, Vacqueyras, Côtes du Rhône Villages whites (blended with Bourboulenc, Roussanne, Grenache and Marsanne to make up a minimum of 80% of local grape varieties), Côtes du Rhône whites (in assembly). Costières de Nîmes, Coteaux du Tricastin, Côtes du Luberon, Côtes du Ventoux.
Main features : extremely vigorous and generous, Marsanne ripens from September 15 onwards. It is a hardy vine, which is planted on less fertile hillside soils. It prefers the warm and stony soils of the northern Côtes du Rhône.
œnological potential : this variety gives powerful wines with an average acidity. Its floral and hazelnut aromas develop as it matures.
Use : Crozes-Hermitage, Hermitage, Saint-Joseph, Saint-Péray (it may be blended with Roussanne in these Appellations), Côtes du Rhône Villages whites, Côtes du Rhône whites (possibly in assembly). Costières de Nîmes, Coteaux du Tricastin, Côtes du Luberon, Côtes du Ventoux.
Main features : of average vigour, this vine variety ripens in September. A delicate variety with considerable finesse, it prefers warm, stony well-drained soils, poor and arid hillsides, or stony, silt-limestone soils.
œnological potential : Roussanne produces extremely elegant, delicate and complex wines with floral perfumes (honeysuckle and iris).
Use : Crozes-Hermitage, Hermitage, Saint-Joseph, Saint-Péray (it may be blended with Marsanne in these Appellations), Châteauneuf-du-Pape (often blended with Grenache white , Clairette and Bourboulenc), Côtes du Rhône Villages whites, Côtes du Rhône whites (possibly in assembly). Costières de Nîmes, Coteaux du Tricastin, Côtes du Luberon.
Main features : a hardy and vigorous variety that ripens between September 25 and October 25. It requires high temperatures (due to its late ripening, it can only be grown in southern regions).
œnological potential : this variety produces fresh, low alcohol, white wines with floral aromas, that are best drunk young.
Use : Châteauneuf-du-Pape (blended with Grenache white , Clairette and Roussanne), Lirac, Tavel, Vacqueyras, Côtes du Rhône Villages whites (blended with Clairette, Roussanne, Grenache and Marsanne to make up a minimum of 80% of local grape varieties), Côtes du Rhône whites (in assembly). Costières de Nîmes, Côtes du Luberon, Cotes du Ventoux.
Main features: a vigorous variety that ripens from the beginning of September onwards. It is a hardy vine that can grow in poor, dry and stony soils.
œnological potential : potentially high in alcohol, Viognier creates a harmonious rounded wine with floral aromas (violets, may blossom, acacia) and develops honey musk, peach and dried apricot aromas as it matures.
Use : Coteaux du Tricastin.
