Ventoux

France · AOC · Rhône Valley

Styles

Natural factors

53 communes in the Vaucluse, forming an arc from the Dentelles de Montmirail to the northern slopes of the Luberon, around Mont Ventoux (1,912 m)
Typical soils: red Mediterranean, calcareous brown, and stony; the most representative derived from 'safres' (Miocene sandy-marly sandstone)
2,800 hours of sunshine per year in Carpentras, rainfall of 700 mm/year concentrated in autumn, with dry summers during the ripening period
The Mistral acts as a sanitary wind ('mango-fango'), yet is tempered by the Dentelles de Montmirail and the foothills of the Ventoux; nights are cooler than elsewhere in the département at the end of summer

Human factors

From the 15th century onward, notarial records attest to the presence of piquepoul noir N, bourboulenc B, and clairette B; these varieties were still documented in 1876 alongside grenache N and syrah N
The first papal vineyard was established at Malaucène in 1309; wines from the Ventoux appeared on papal tables until 1414

Product characteristics

Reds: age-worthy on clay-limestone soils, aromatic and generous on sandy and ochre sandstone soils
Rosés: fresh aromatic balance with intense persistence; whites: aromatic complexity, best enjoyed young

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