Luberon
Styles
Principal grape varieties
BourboulencClairette (Clairette Blanche)Grenache Blanc (Garnacha Blanca)MarsanneRoussanneVermentinoUgni Blanc (Trebbiano Toscano)Grenache (Garnacha Tinta)Mourvèdre (Monastrell)Syrah
Accessory grape varieties
Varieties of interest
Piquepoul BlancCarignan BlancAssyrtikoParelladaGrenache Gris (Garnacha Roja)CaladocSciaccarelloNiellucio (Sangiovese)
Terroir
Natural factors
- Mediterranean climate with marked diurnal temperature variation; the Luberon massif tempers the Mistral throughout the year.
- Sunshine: more than 2,600 hours per year; minimal temperature difference between the north-facing slopes (12.9 °C, Apt) and south-facing slopes (13.1 °C, Cucuron).
- Five dominant soil types, all influenced by Urgonian limestones: pebbly terraces, cryoclastic glacis, scree slopes, Miocene molasse, and conglomerates.
Human factors
- Vine cultivation documented from Roman times (villae at Menerbes and Cadenet); a Gallo-Roman bas-relief at Cabrières-d'Aigues depicting the wine trade.
- AOC recognised as 'Côtes du Luberon' in 1988, renamed 'Luberon' in 2009; grenache N accounts for more than 40% of plantings, alongside syrah N and mourvèdre N.
Product characteristics
- Reds: fruit-forward profile (blackcurrant); rosés: exotic fruits, lively acidity; whites: citrus, minerality, freshness and roundness.
Terroir / wine link
- Day-to-night temperature swings lead to slow polyphenol development, producing round, full-bodied wines with freshness and elegance.
Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.
Sources
- Product specification (BO Agri, PDF), JORF 17 avril 2025
- Official INAO text (show_texte)
- INAO product entry
- Official trade body site — Inter Rhône