Terroir of Roquemaure
Terroir
Our terroir reflects the history of the Rhone river: our vines grow on round stones transported by the river, red soil or limestone soil. It’s not unusual to have different type of soils on the same block of vines: it adds complexity to our wines.
The vines are classified following the IGP (Indication Geographique Protégée) Gard and AOC Cotes du Rhone & Lirac appellations rules.
“A terroir marked by the passage of the Rhône”
Our winery owns over 400 hectares of vines
The vines
Our winery owns over 400 hectares of vines. We renew part of them each year, but some of our parcels are more than 50 years old: they are the soul of our finest Signature wines. The AOC parcels are planted with regional grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Cinsault, for the red and rosé wines.
The white wines come out of Clairette, Viognier, White Grenache & Bourboulenc. In the IGP cuvees, we use local grapes as well as International grape varieties: Merlot, Cabernet-Sauvignon, Marselan for red wines, Chardonnay and Sauvignon for whites.
Some information about our grape
Grenache
This Spanish native varietal is the Southern Rhone Valley King . Every winegrower must have at least 30% of Grenache vines in order to produce Côtes du Rhone. This variety grows perfectly well in to our region since it’s very resistant to wind and dryness. Grenache needs a lot of sun and heat grow and has a high alcoholic potential. To reds, it lends a heady fullness and flavours of blackcurrant and rich spices. Its tannins mellow with age, to reveal delicious fruit flavours, the tang of the surrounding garrigue, spicy notes, even peppery fragrances… Grenache is a red and white variety.
Syrah
Syrah or Shiraz is the Northern Rhone Valley King since it’s the only variety used to produce local Cru such as Côte-Rotie or Crozes Hermitage. Here in the South, we blend it genreally with Mourvèdre and Grenache. It produced wines of deep colour that are full of flavour, high in tannins and low in acidity, Syrah wines are therefore ideal for aging. The reds are fruity in flavour (red and black berry fruits) , with floral notes (violet, mignonette) and hints of spice (truffle, pepper, liquorice).
Mourvèdre
This Spanish variety needs a lot of sun and heat to reach maturity. Mourvèdre has a strong personality, yielding wines that are deeply coloured, full-bodied and well-structured. Its tannins, tight in texture and long-lasting, are ideal for making red wine. Young Mourvèdre wines are rich in notes of pear and black berry fruits. As they age, they develop a more rounded personality with more complex flavours. It is then possible to detect hints of truffle, leather, jammy fruit , as well as attractive scents of wild game and spices.
Clairette blanche
Clairette is one of southern France’s oldest grape varieties, typical of the Mediterranean region. The flesh of the grape is especially juicy. The vine is well adapted to dry, infertile limestone soils. Clairette can be vinified on its own or blended with other grape varieties. The grapes produce a fruity wine, high in alcohol content and low in acidity. The finish is slightly bitter. As the wine maderises (oxidises) quickly, it is best drunk within the first year. Clairette can also be a rosé variety.
Viognier
Though unforgiving (it flourishes only in strong sunshine, on south and south-west facing hillsides and terraces), and difficult to cultivate and vinify, the Viognier grape, when well looked after, produces an irresistible, exotic wine. The bouquet is impressive and its spicy flavours linger admirably on the palate. This grape variety yields stylish white wines, smooth, mellow and full-bodied. It has a subtle fragrance, with delicious notes of yellow fruits (mango, pear,), spring flowers and spices, Reconciling opposites, these dry white wines also have an amazing mellow feel to them.
