Vacqueyras AOC

Vacqueyras is a French wine Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) in the southern Rhône wine region of France, along the banks of the River Ouvèze.[1]It is primarily a red wine region with some white and rosé wines being produced. Being a little brother of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and, arguably, Gigondas, the wine is moderately prestigious and can yield pleasing results when treated correctly.[2]

Vacqueyras AOC
Wine region
Official nameVacqueyras
TypeAppellation d'origine contrôlée
Year established1990
CountryFrance
Part ofSouthern Rhone
Other regions in Southern RhoneChâteauneuf-du-Pape AOC, Gigondas AOC, Lirac AOC
Climate regionMediterranean climate
Size of planted vineyards1,300 hectares (3,200 acres)
Grapes producedGrenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, Muscardin, Counoise, Clairette, Bourboulenc
Wine produced48,000 hectolitres (1,100,000 imp gal; 1,300,000 US gal)

History

Wine has been produced in the region since the 15th century. However records are sparse, reduced to mentioning large vineyards and a decree on how to keep hungry goats away from the grapes.[2] Vacqueyras received the A.O.C. Côtes du Rhône Decree appellation in 1937, and in 1955 was promoted to Côtes du Rhône Villages status, becoming a named village in 1967.[3] In 1990, Vacqueyras was granted its own AOC, the first in the region since Gigondas in 1971,[4] and the first of a number of candidates for that particular honour, recently bestowed to Beaumes-de-Venise and Vinsobres.

Climate and geography

Located only a few kilometers south of Gigondas, Vacqueyras shares much of the same terroir with vineyards located in 100–400 metres (330–1,310 ft) altitude. The best vineyards are found on Plateau de Garrigues. In the lowland, warmer temperatures result in more powerful and often inelegant wines.[2]

Grapes and wine
A Vacqueyras from the southern Rhone.

The bulk (97%) of the wine is red. The red wine can be much like the wines from Gigondas and at their best, the wines of Vacqueyras can match those of their northern sibling.[5] Vacqueyras wines have been called "poor man's Châteauneuf-du-Pape."

Winemaking

Vacqueyras is, like Gigondas, known for its power rather than its elegance. The backbone of the wine is Grenache, however producers of Vacqueyras use more Syrah than is used in Gigondas which can make the style seem cooler.[2]

See also

References
  1. Jacques Fanet (2004). Great Wine Terroirs. University of California Press. p. 175. ISBN 9780520238589. Retrieved 2011-10-29. The River Ouvèze, notorious for its devastating floods, skirts around the northern end of the Massif des Dentelles de Montmirail, on its way to join the Rhône in Bédarrides....These picturesque slopes are home to the Vacqueyras AOC, southwest of the village itself, and the lower Gigondas vineyards.
  2. Niels Lillelund (2004). Rhône-Vinene. JP Bøger - JP/Politikens Forlagshus A/S. pp. 162–165. ISBN 87-567-7140-1.
  3. http://www.vins-rhone.com/fr/appellation/vacqueyras
  4. https://www.bbr.com/region-1046-vacqueyras
  5. "In search of Vacqueyras wine: Andrew Jefford in the Rhône". Decanter. 2017-07-31. Retrieved 2018-01-23.

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