AOC Côtes du Rhône Villages Saint-Gervais
The village of Saint-Gervais is on the west bank of the Rhône, north of Lirac, secreted far up the Cèze valley. Traditionally the vines have been grown on the flat, not far from its pretty white farmhouses. More recently however, the higher land to the north has been developed – and quality has moved up a gear.
Today this tiny appellation punches well above its weight.
The sandstone and clay lower down make for juicy, generous wines. Scale the two plateaux above the village and the soils are different – jagged white limestone breaks through the soil. Ripening is slower and later up here and the wines crackle with energy.
Most are red, but they make an unusually large proportion of white wine. Reds are a classic blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre backed up with Carignan and Cinsault; they produce vibrant berry-flavoured wines with enlivening spice notes. For whites, expect blends of Viognier, Roussanne, Grenache blanc, Clairette and Ugni blanc, giving fleshy orchard fruits with floral notes and herbs. Both display a brisk freshness that sustains them
for years in bottle.
Due to its diminutive size and concealed location, only a few producers still remain in Saint-Gervais. But these vibrant wines are attracting winemakers from further afield who are starting to experiment, to great effect. And with this renewed interest, the Saint-Gervais renaissance has begun.
Informations
Climate: Mediterranean
Soils: Sandy / Limestone / Clay
Website appellation : https://www.vinsdesaintgervais.com/
Key figures
Production surface area in 2023: 79 HA
Total production in 2023: 2 698 HL
Average annual yeld: 34 HL/HA
Year of recognition within the AOC Côtes du Rhône Villages: 1974
Commune: Saint-Gervais
Grape varieties
Main grape varieties
- Bourboulenc,
- Clairette,
- Grenache blanc,
- Grenache noir,
- Marsanne,
- Mourvèdre,
- Roussanne,
- Syrah,
- Viognier
Secondary grape varieties
- Bourboulenc,
- Brun argenté (localement dénommé Camarèse ou 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 Romans left visible reminders of their presence in Saint Gervais, with the remains of several villas and workshops which can be viewed in the low-lying plains. In fact, they played a major part in developing viticulture in this region, helping to spread the fame of Saint-Gervais wines. Saracens and Visigoths also passed this way, leaving a number of burial sites.
For many centuries, polyculture was the chief system of farming, but little by little the vines took over; first the smaller valleys, then the plateaus of the Cèze valley were planted with vines. Vineyard area has increased significantly over the last 30 years.
Continuing efforts to improve the quality of Saint Gervais wines were rewarded when in 1974 the village was granted Côtes du Rhône Villages status with geographic name.
Climate
Mediterranean climate.
Soils
Sandstone on red clay slopes; stony soils on the plateau.
Geography
The vineyards lie along the banks of the Cèze in the commune of Saint Gervais in the Gard département.
Varieties and flavours
The red wine blends must include Grenache noir, supplemented by Syrah and/or Mourvèdre to form at least 66% of the wine. These wines will
keep for several years.
For whites, the main varieties are Grenache blanc, Clairette blanche, Marsanne, Roussanne, Bourboulenc and Viognier. Saint-Gervais white wines are best enjoyed young.
Associated appellations
