Coteaux de Tricastin AOC

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 vineyards 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 Rhône 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. [ [http://www.coteaux-tricastin.com] |Syndicat des Vignerons des Coteaux du Tricastin]

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 [Inter Rhône]

Infobox
name=Infobox Wine Region
labelstyle= background:#FBECCD; color:#104000;
abovestyle= background:#673A37; color:#F2AFB8;
above=TRICASTIN (wine region)

#if:{image|}|
caption={caption|}
label1=Official name
data1={official name|Coteaux de Tricastin AOC}
label2=Other names
data2={other names|}
label3=Appellation type
data3={type|AOC}
label4=Year established
data4={year|1973}
label5=Years of wine industry
data5={wine years|2,100}
label6=Country
data6={country|France}
label7=Part of
data7={part of|Rhône Valley}
label8=Other regions in #if:{part of|}|{part of}|vicinity
data8={similar|}
label9=Sub-regions
data9={sub regions|}
label10=Location
data10={location|}
label12=Climate region
data12={climate region|mediterranean-continental}
label13=Soil conditions
data13={soil|diverse in different zones from limestone clay to glacial sediments}
label14=Total area (ha)
data14={total size|}
label15=Planted area (ha)
data15={planted|2,712}
label16=Yield (hl/ha)
data16={hl per ha|52}
label17=Yield (hl)
data17={hl|95,000}
label18=No. of vineyards
data18={vineyards|450}
label19=Grapes produced
data19={grapes|grenache, syrah, cinsault, mourvèdre, carignan, clairette, bourboulenc, marsanne, roussanne, viognier}
label20=Varietals produced
data20={varietals|}
label21=No. of wineries
data21={wineries|55}
label22=Wine produced
data22={wine produced|red, white, rosé}
label23=Official designation(s)
data23={designation|}
label24=Data
data24={Data|2005}
label25=Key
data25={comments|ha: hectares, hl: hectolitres, hl/ha: hectolitres per hectare}|

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%.

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. [INAO, March 2007, all statistics based on year 2005 returns.]

References

ee also

*French wine