Côtes du Rhône Cru AOC Vacqueyras
Steep terraced vineyards, woodland plains, vast bands of garrigue scrubland - the wines of Vacqueyras are shaped by their distinctive terroirs, and are available in red, white and rosé. The soils here are very varied, giving the Vacqueyras wines a wealth of different fragrances and flavours.
The wines are powerful and full of character, and have a distinctive edge of freshness and finesse. They are often chosen for their reliably high quality, and since 1998 have been the official wines of the Avignon Festival, building up their reputation with a broad international audience.
Informations
Climate: Mediterranean
Soils: Sandy / Limestone / Clay / Rocky
Website appellation: https://www.aocvacqueyras.com/
Key figures
Production surface area in 2023: 1 472 HA
Total production in 2023: 43 419 HL
Average annual yeld: 29 HL/HA
Export: 26%
Recognition in AOC by the I.N.A.O.: 1990
Communes: Vacqueyras and Sarrians
Grape varieties
Main grape varieties
- Bourboulenc,
- Cinsault,
- Clairette,
- Grenache blanc,
- Grenache noir,
- Marsanne,
- Mourvèdre,
- Roussanne,
- Syrah,
- Viognier
Secondary grape varieties
- Mourvèdre,
- Syrah
Complementary grape varieties
- Bourboulenc,
- Brun argenté (locally known as Camarèse or Vaccarèse),
- Carignan,
- Cinsault,
- Clairette,
- Clairette rose,
- Counoise,
- Grenache blanc,
- Grenache gris,
- Marsanne,
- Muscardin,
- Piquepoul noir,
- Roussanne,
- Terret noir,
- Viognier
To know
History
Winegrowing in the Rhône Valley started with the Roman settements, and was particularly prevalent around Orange in the 2nd and 1st centuries BC.
The remains of a Roman villa have been found in Vacqueyras - Vaqueiras in Provençal, from the Latin Vallea Quadreia, the Valley of Stones.
The first written evidence of viticulture in the area dates back to the Middle Ages. The first cadastral map of Comtat Venaissin is dated 1414, and records the existence of vineyards in the village. Later, in 1448, reference is made to taxes payable on grape harvests and wine produced in Vacqueyras.
In 1791, after the revolution, the vineyards of Comtat Venaissin - including those of Vacqueyras - were annexed to France.
In 1937, Vacqueyras was part of the Côtes du Rhône regional appellation area. In 1955, it became part of Côtes du Rhône Villages, and in 1967, one of the Côtes du Rhône Villages with village name.
Finally, on August 15, 1990, it reached the pinnacle and was officially recognised as an appellation in its own right.
Climate
Mediterranean climate, with one significant advantage – the Mistral wind gusts through the vineyards, cooling and cleansing them. Rainfall is seasonal, and summer temperatures are very high.
Soils
These AOC vineyards at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail grow in the alluvial soils and glacial terraces of the Riss glaciation. Soils are made up of sandy clay with banks of rounded cobbles on the terraces of the garrigue.
Geography
The vineyards are located in the two communes of Vacqueyras and Sarrians in the Vaucluse, at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail.
Varieties and flavours
For red wines, the main varietal is Grenache noir, followed by Syrah and Mourvèdre. Vacqueyras reds show deep colours ranging from appealing ruby red for young wines to a darker, more intense red for those with good ageing potential. The nose reveals a rush of fruity flavours, including black cherries, stone fruit and blackberries, with notes of candied fruit and figs. There can also be pronounced, spicy hints of leather and game, and even a touch of smoke. They are powerful, rich and full-bodied with a mouth-watering finish. Rosés are pleasingly coloured, with appetising, fruity aromas and flavours of wild strawberries and white flowers. Whites are light, bright yellow with shimmering highlights, and are made from Clairette, Grenache blanc, Bourboulenc, Roussanne, Marsanne and Viognier. They have floral aromas of broom and acacia, sometimes with a note of citrus.
Associated appellations
