AOC Côtes du Rhône Villages Séguret
The Dentelles de Montmirail are one of the most striking natural features of the Côtes du Rhône, a mountainous outcrop near Mont Ventoux decorated with limestone crenelations encircled by birds of prey. The village of Séguret sits at its foot, one of the prettiest villages in France. Naturally protected by the hillside it inhabits, its name comes from the Provençal word for ‘safe’.
This is one of the largest Named Villages, with some vineyards surrounding the village itself, others flowing down the hillside to the river below, and more vines that scale the mountainside, up among the Dentelles themselves. Each area contributes something different to the blend.
The lower terrace brings concentration, the sands around the village bring finesse, and the mountain terroir delivers freshness.
The result is an array of beautifully balanced red wines of admirable vibrancy, and impressive longevity. Their rosés are also highly prized – they make more than any other Named Village. They make just as much white in fact, both of which manage tocombine freshness with intensity of flavour.
Whatever the colour, if Séguret is on the wine list, you know you’re in safe hands.
Informations
Climate: Mediterranean influenced by Mistral wind
Soils: Limestone / Sandy / Clay
Altitude: Between140 to 350 metres
Website appellation: https://www.vinsdeseguret.fr/
Key figures
Production surface area in 2023: 468 HA
Total production in 2023: 15 009 HL
Average annual yeld: 32 HL/HA
Year of recognition within the AOC Côtes du Rhône Villages: 1967
Commune: Séguret
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
Traces of Roman occupation provide the earliest evidence of viticulture in Séguret. Archaeologists found an altar dedicated to Sylvanus, a Roman deity portrayed with a cooper’s mallet. Meanwhile, the first written references to the vineyards date back to 611 and the Foundation Charter for the monastery at Prébayon.
Winegrowing continued to develop in the 10th century, first under the Counts of Toulouse, then the Princes of Orange. In the 13th century, the County became papal territory. Written documentation from this time describes Séguret wines as being in “high demand” - a sure sign of a burgeoning reputation. The first wine-growing guild (Confrérie) to be headed by a woman – the “baylesse” - was founded in Séguret in 1685. The organisation was revived in 1985, with the name Confrérie des Chevaliers du Gouste-Séguret Compagnons de Saint-Vincent.
The vineyards were awarded Appellation Côtes du Rhône Villages Séguret status in 1967.
Climate
Mediterranean climate, influenced by the Mistral wind.
Soils
The vineyards are located between the main terrace of clay/limestone marl some 140-150 metres above sea level, and the hills surrounding the village, which rise to 250m above sea level.
Further slopes and terraces rise, often steeply, to 250-350m above sea level, and lie on stony ground.
Geography
The winegrowing area is contained within the commune of Séguret, at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail in Vaucluse.
Varieties and flavours
Séguret’s AOC red wines are made from a minimum of 66% of a combination of Grenache noir, Syrah and/or Mourvèdre.
These are deeply-coloured wines which glisten in the light.
The nose opens on scents of vanilla and mocha, followed by aromas of jam and liquorice. The attack is smooth and concentrated, the body full
and rounded; tannins persist on notes of roasted coffee.
Rosés wines are light pink in colour. The nose shows a cheerful combination of fruit drops and crushed strawberries, while on the palate the wine is full and mellow with notes of red berry fruits.
The appellation whites are made mainly from Roussanne and Marsanne, with an appealing straw-yellow colour and a gentle, very floral nose showing white peaches, pear and citrus. The mouth is full, developing superb elegance of flavour.
Associated appellations
