Côtes du Ventoux AOC

Cotes du Ventoux is a wine region in the southern part of the wine-growing region Rhône. The appellation, which since July 27, 1973 the status of an Appellation d' Origine ( AOC short ) has is named after the 1,912 -meter-high Mont Ventoux. The vineyards cover almost 7,700 hectares and are located in 51 municipalities on the true left bank of the Rhône, however, a few kilometers inland. The area extends within the département of Vaucluse between Vaison -la -Romaine in the north and in the south of Apt. The average crop is at 305,000 hectoliters / year.

History

Excavations at Mazan that viticulture was already operated since 70 BC in the region. But only with the interests of the great monasteries in the Middle Ages the monks revive the quality aspirations in viticulture. The Côtes du Ventoux region benefits especially between the years 1309-1414 by the presence of the Popes in Avignon ( Avignonesisches papacy ).

The French royal families were doing their part to make known the diversity of the wine-growing regions.

As the system of appellations was introduced in the 1930s, it began in 1939 in the region of Cotes du Ventoux, an interest group to promote a wine quality. The wine-growing area was declared on 20 December 1951 Vin de Qualité Supérieure Délimité ( VDQS ) and on 27 July 1973 on the appellation.

Wine and varietal

The red wine, which accounts for 85 % of the introduced wines, is made from the main vine Grenache Noir, Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvèdre and maximum of 30% Carignan. In addition, the secondary varieties Piquepoul Noir, Counoise, Clairette Blanche, Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne are to a maximum 20 % allowed. By the year 2014, the Nebensorten Piquepoul Blanc, Ugni Blanc and Pascal Blanc are still permitted. The red wines are usually garnet, not too heavy, fruity and fragrant. However, good wineries bring quite very full-bodied wines on the market.

For the rosé, the same applies Rebsortenmix.

The white wine contains Clairette Blanche and Bourboulenc, and a maximum of 30 % Grenache Blanc and Roussanne. By the year 2014, the Nebensorten Picquepoul Blanc, Ugni Blanc and Pascal Blanc are still permitted.

The income limit is generally at 50 hectoliters / hectare. The wines must have a minimum alcohol content of 11 percent by volume.

Since 15 November 1967, the Cotes du Ventoux can be marketed as a primeur wine, so as a very young wine.

The 51 eligible municipalities

Apt, Aubignan, Beaumettes, Beaumont -du- Ventoux, Bédoin, Blauvac, Bonnieux, Cabrières- d'Avignon, Caromb, Carpentras, Caseneuve, Crestet, Crillon- le -Brave, Entrechaux, Flassan, Fontaine -de- Vaucluse, Gargas, Gignac, Gordes, Goult, Joucas, Lagnes, La Roque- sur -Pernes, Le Barroux, Le Beaucet Lioux, Loriol -du -Comtat, Malaucène, Malemort -du -Comtat, Maubec, Mazan, Méthamis, Modène, Mormoiron, Murs, Pernes- les- Fontaines, Robion, Roussillon, Rustrel, Saignon, Saumane -de- Vaucluse, Saint- Didier, Saint- Hippolyte- le- Graveron, Saint -Martin -de- Castillon, Saint- Pantaleon, Saint -Pierre- de - Vassols, Saint- Saturnin- d'Apt, Venasque, Viens, Villars and Villes -sur -Auzon.