Vineyards: these are spread over 4 communes on the right bank of the Rhône, Lirac, Roquemaure, Saint-Laurent-des-Arbres and Saint-Géniès-de-Comolas, in the French Department of Gard.
Soil types: red terraces of rounded stones, loessal and sandy skeletal soils.
Climate: typically Mediterranean with low rainfall, with an average of 2,700 hours of sunshine per year with the Mistral as the prevailing wind.
Background: vine cultivation has been part of the local resources for two thousand years. Over the centuries, the port of Roquemaure became important and prosperous and it was from here that “Côte du Rhône” wines left for Paris, England and Holland. The “Lirac” Local Appellation was awarded by decree in 1947.
Area under cultivation*: 747 hectares, yearly production: 19438 hl, basic yield : 26 hl/hectare.
* Source: harvest statement 2009.
Grape variety mix: mainly Grenache black, Cinsault, Syrah and Mourvèdre for the red and rosé. Mainly Clairette and more especially Bourboulenc Grenache white for the whites.
Pruning: Syrah, goblet of fan pruning with 5 or 6 spurs pruned to2 or 3 productive eyes, or Guyot pruning. For the other grape varieties, short pruning to 2 productive eyes.
Wine making: minimum natural alcohol by volume, 11.5% for red and whites. Long maceration in vats for the red wines, whilst the rosé is made by the bleeding method.
