Sable de Camargue

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Accessory grape varieties

Terroir

• The vines grow on sandy soils in which the sand fraction accounts for 80% or more of the mass by weight, virtually free of clay and silt.
• The vineyard extends at an average altitude of 1 metre above sea level, in an environment alternating between coastal lagoons and salt marshes.
• A network of channels called roubines surrounds the vineyard and enables joint management of both the level and salinity of the water table.
• The Mediterranean climate is moderated by the influence of the surrounding bodies of water (sea, lagoons, and salt marshes), which maintain high humidity and regulate temperatures, with annual rainfall generally below 600 mm.
• The wind regime is characterised by sea breezes and the Mistral in summer, and by an easterly wind in winter, which continuously shifts the sands of Rhône, marine, and aeolian origin.

• Viticulture on these sands is documented as early as 1406 and 1431 through letters patent issued by Charles VI and Charles VII regulating the commercialisation of sand-grown wines.
• Production is focused exclusively on gris and gris de gris wines, with gris constituting the majority category.

• The gris wines display a pale salmon colour and a balance combining suppleness, roundness, and freshness, with iodine-tinged notes linked to maritime influence.

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 10 mai 2022
• Official INAO text (show_texte)
• INAO product entry
• Official trade body site — CIVL