Côtes du Vivarais

France · AOC · Rhône Valley

Styles

Natural factors

Zone straddling 9 communes in the Ardèche and 5 in the Gard, on either side of the Ardèche river (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
Vines planted mainly on the Plateau des Gras (altitude ~400 m), on very hard Cretaceous limestones of Urgonian facies
Cultivation restricted to isolated pockets of decalcification clays on this karst; landscape deeply carved by the Ardèche
At Vinezac (foothills of the Cévennes), more acidic soils of Triassic age; at Saint-Montan, alluvial terraces and limestone scree (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
Mediterranean climate moderated by altitude and the proximity of the Cévennes, with high sunshine levels but lower temperatures

Human factors

Pliny the Elder mentions as early as Roman times a grape variety called 'carbunica' at Alba (Bas-Vivarais), reputed throughout the province of Narbonensis.
AOC recognised in 1999, following clonal trials begun in 1957 on cinsaut, grenache, and syrah; syrah must account for at least 40% of red blends.

Product characteristics

Deep purple reds with vegetal, fruity, and peppery aromas (syrah), well-balanced enough to drink young; ~50% of production.
Rare dry whites: pale yellow with green highlights on appearance, aromas of white blossom and flint, with a note of fresh acidity.

Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.