WineRegionsOld WorldFranceRhoneSouth
On the left bank of the Rhone, between Orange and Mont Ventoux, Gigondas
is the culminating point of these splendid slopes which group Vacqueyras,
Seguret, Sablet, and Beaumes de Venise. Pliny spoke of them long ago in
his "Natural History" and the bishops of Orange developed the
vineyard as long ago as the fourteenth century. Grenache is the basic plant
of Gigondas, aided by mourvedre and syrah, and this fortunate combination
ensures its panache and its life. Its strength and character, its ability
to age allied to the invariable quality of its production has made Gigondas
the pride of the Rhone Valley, and one of the great wines of France.
Appellation established in 1971 after being elevated from basic Cotes du
Rhone Villages.
Total acreage, about 3000 acres with another 3700 acres available for expansion.
Minimum alcohol is 12.5%: Maximum yield is 35 ML/HA (amounts to 160 cases
per acre).
No machine harvesting or chaptalization permitted.