AOC Côtes du Rhône Villages Nyons
Nyons is the newest of all the Named Villages, and was granted its elevated status as recently as 2020. It’s also one of the highest, with vines growing between 200m and 500m above sea level. In a warming climate, more and more winemakers are looking upwards – mountain terroir has never been more appealing.
We’re out towards the eastern fringes of the Côtes du Rhône here, up into the foothills of the picturesque Baronnies mountains. Vines are planted around Nyons itself and three surrounding villages: Mirabel-aux-Baronnies, Piégon et Venterol.
They only make red wines, typically two-thirds Grenache to one-third Syrah.
It’s breezy up here. The whole region is swept by the northerly mistral, but they’re blessed with an additional air current that comes blowing in from the alps known as the Pontias.
Legend has it that a holy man called Césaire captured this wind from elsewhere and brought it here in his glove.
Winemakers have a lot to thank him for. It helps to keep the vineyards healthy and cools them down, bringing an aerial freshness to the wines.
An area long famed for its olives, and banded with purple lavender, this is a stunning part of the region; the Rhône at altitude.
Informations
Climate: Mediterranean mild and sunny
Soils: Limestone / Rocky
Altitude: Between 210 to 500 metres
Website appellation: https://www.nyons.vin/
Key figures
Production surface area in 2023: 74 HA
Total production in 2023: 2 767 HL
Average annual yeld: 37 HL/HA
Year of recognition within the AOC Côtes du Rhône Villages: 2020
Communes : Nyons, Mirabel aux Baronnies, Piégon and Venterol
Grape varieties
Main grape varieties
- Grenache noir,
- Mourvèdre,
- Syrah
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 Nyons Cooperative was established in 1923, and has always played a key part in the local economy. Its work involves promoting the AOC wines and their terroir, and driving a process of continuous quality improvement.
This starts at vineyard level, and entails a rigorous system of plot selection, with changes to agricultural practices where needed. Winemaking techniques have also been improved and developed to give high quality Côtes du Rhône Villages wines which faithfully reflect their Nyons terroir.
Climate
The Nyons vineyards grow in the Baronnies, in the French Prealps, at altitudes of between 210 and 500 metres. Here at the northern tip of the southern Côtes du Rhône, rainfall is higher than in the central part of the appellation, and the area enjoys the beneficial influence of the Pontias, a local wind which helps protect the vines from fungal disease.
Soils
Soils are largely colluvium (sediments deposited by erosion), while significant diurnal temperature variations help preserve the freshness and fruity flavours that give the appellation its typicity.
Geography
The designation lies in Drôme Provençale, spanning the villages of Nyons, Mirabel aux Baronnies, Piégon and Venterol.
Varieties and flavours
The main grape varieties are Grenache noir, Syrah and Mourvèdre.
Wines are powerful, complex, well-structured, supremely elegant and balanced, with low acidity and moderate tannic intensity. They show remarkable persistence of flavour and smooth roundness on the finish. Flavours include fresh red and black berries (blackcurrants, blackberries, strawberries, cherries and blueberries), cooked fruit (jam and alcohol-infused fruit), notes of spice (pepper and liquorice) and a hint of smoke and warm toast -- a true expression of Nyons.
Associated appellations
