Coteaux de Tricastin AOC
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Coteaux de Tricastin is the northernmost wine-growing AOC area of the southern (méridional) Rhône wine region of France. Situated on the left bank of the Rhône river in a triangle bounded by Montélimar, Saint-Paul-Les-3-Châteaux and Grignan, the vinyards straddle both the true Mediterranean and the Continental climatic regions where in this part of France the transition is rapid, winter snow being frequent in Montélimar but rare some 20 - 30 kilometres further south. As with most wines of the Rône valley, production can be traced back to the antiquity and at least to one century BCE. Classed as a VDQS in 1964, the wine received its Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée in 1973.[1]
The wines are produced in 21 communes of the Drôme département at the northern limit of the Provence: Allan, Baume de Transit, Chamaret, Chantemerle-lès-Grignan, Châteauneuf-du-Rhône, Clansayes, Comonzelle, Donzère, Garde-Adhémar, Granges-Gontardes, Grignan, Malataverne, Montségur-sur-Lauzon, Reauville, Roche-Saint-Secret-Béconne, Roussas, Saint-Paul-les-Trois-Châteaux, Saint Restitut, Salles-sous-Bois, Solérieux, Valaurie[2]
| TRICASTIN (wine region) | |
| Official name | Coteaux de Tricastin AOC |
|---|---|
| Appellation type | AOC |
| Year established | 1973 |
| Years of wine industry | 2,100 |
| Country | France |
| Part of | Rhône Valley |
| Climate region | mediteranean-continental |
| Soil conditions | diverse in different zones from limestone clay to glacial sediments |
| Planted area (ha) | 2,712 |
| Yield (hl/ha) | 52 |
| Yield (hl) | 95,000 |
| No. of vineyards | 450 |
| Grapes produced | grenache, syrah, cinsault, mourvèdre, carignan, clairette, bourboulenc, marsanne, roussanne, viognier |
| No. of wineries | 55 |
| Wine produced | red, white, rosé |
| Data | 2005 |
| Key | ha: hectares, hl: hectolitres, hl/ha: hectolitres per hectare |
Contents |
[edit] Wines
Red wines which comprise 95% of the total production, are made from the principal varieties of Grenache Noir and Syrah (10% minimum), with secondary varieties of Cinsault, Mourvèdre Carignan. No single variety may be present at more than 80%. A non defined quantity of secondary varieties must not exceed 30%, or if declared separately, not more than 15% each.
Rosé: The same varieties in the same permitted proportions are used as for the red.
White wines are produced from Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Clairette blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier. No variety may be present in excess of 60%.
A characteristic of the wines from this apellation is their great diversity due to the many and mixed soil types and varied climates. The central part of the region comprises sandstone hills, while the southeast is covered with stones or gravel. The west is mainly alluvial soil with calcairous stones, and the north is covered with large glacial pebbles.
The minimum alcohol level for all three colours is decreed at 11%.
[edit] Economy
The Coteaux de Tricastin wines are produced by a total of 324 concerns which include 307 growers, 66 private wineries, 13 cooperative wineries, and 4 producer/merchants.
The wines are produced in 21 communes of the Drôme département at the northern limit of the Provence: Allan, Baume de Transit, Chamaret, Chantemerle-lès-Grignan, Châteauneuf du Rhône, Clansayes, Comonzelle, Donzère, Garde-Adhémar, Granges-Gontardes, Grignan, Malataverne, Montségur-sur-Lauzon, Reauville, Roche-Saint-Secret-Béconne, Roussas, Saint Paul les Tris Châteaux, Saint Restitut, Salles-sous-Bois, Solérieux, Valaurie. [3]
[edit] References
[edit] See also
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