Vacqueyras (AOC)
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Vacqueyras is a
French wine French wine is produced all throughout France, in quantities between 50 and 60 million hectolitres per year, or 7–8 billion bottles. France is one of the largest wine producers in the world, along with Italian, Spanish, and Amer ...
''
Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée An appellation is a legally defined and protected geographical indication primarily used to identify where the grapes for a wine were grown, although other types of food often have appellations as well. Restrictions other than geographical bou ...
'' (AOC) in the southern Rhône wine region of
France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan area ...
, along the banks of the River
Ouvèze The Ouvèze (; oc, Ovesa) is a river in southern France and left tributary of the Rhône. It rises in the southern French Prealps (the Baronnies), in the commune of Montauban-sur-l'Ouvèze. It flows into the Rhône in Sorgues, north of Avignon. It ...
. It is primarily a red wine region with some white and rosé wines being produced. Being a little brother of
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Châteauneuf-du-Pape (; Provençal: Castèu-Nòu-De-Papo) is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in Southeastern France. The village lies about to the east of the Rhône and north of the town of Avi ...
and, arguably,
Gigondas Gigondas (; oc, Gigondàs) is a commune in the Vaucluse ''département'' in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France. Geography Gigondas lies in between Vacqueyras and Sablet at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail moun ...
, the wine is moderately prestigious and can yield pleasing results when treated correctly.


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. 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. In 1990, Vacqueyras was granted its own AOC, the first in the region since Gigondas in 1971, and the first of a number of candidates for that particular honour, recently bestowed to
Beaumes-de-Venise Beaumes-de-Venise (; oc, Baumas de Venisa) is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France. Name The word "beaumes" comes from the Provençal word ''bauma'' meaning "cave" or "grotto". T ...
and Vinsobres.


Climate and geography

Located only a few kilometers south of Gigondas, Vacqueyras shares much of the same terroir with vineyards located in altitude. The best vineyards are found on ''Plateau de Garrigues''. In the lowland, warmer temperatures result in more powerful and often inelegant wines.


Grapes and wine

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. 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.


See also

*
French wine French wine is produced all throughout France, in quantities between 50 and 60 million hectolitres per year, or 7–8 billion bottles. France is one of the largest wine producers in the world, along with Italian, Spanish, and Amer ...


References


Cotes du Rhone Web Site
{{Authority control Rhône wine AOCs 1990 establishments in France de:Vacqueyras#Weinbau in Vacqueyras