Costières de Nîmes

Of Roman origin, the Costières de Nîmes vineyard is one of the oldest in Europe, located at the junction of Occitania and Provence. The wines of Costières de Nîmes were appreciated by the Greeks and then the Romans, served to the Popes of Avignon and exported from the 16th century onwards. Geographically located in Languedoc-Roussillon but more closely linked by its characteristics to the Côtes du Rhône, Costières de Nîmes stretches from the city of Nîmes to the banks of the Rhône. The Costières du Gard were classified as VDQS in 1950, AOC in 1986, and became Costières de Nîmes in 1989. Today, the terroir covers 24 communes and extends over 25,000 hectares of hills and plateaus between 20 and 100 meters above sea level, only half of which is planted.

On the sunny slopes of the Camargue mountains, the grape varieties used to make these delicacies enjoy optimal conditions. Villafranchian gravel, low altitude, seaside... 

Given the region's weather conditions, it is not surprising that the Costières de Nîmes appellation includes some of the best wines in the world.

The Mediterranean climate with maritime influences is characterized by three components: sunshine, with more than 250 days of sunshine per year; rainfall concentrated over a small number of days; and the Mistral wind, which blows and cleanses the vineyards. Thanks to the water table, the vines are protected from summer drought. The terroir of Costières de Nîmes wines, the largest Villafranchian terrace in Europe, is made up of pebbles. This layer, several meters thick, stores the sun's heat and releases it during the night, as in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. But unlike its scorching neighbor, the hot mass formed by the pebbles here reinforces the convection effect of the thermal breezes. In fact, from mid-afternoon onwards, the cool sea breezes that cross the Petite Camargue meet the hot mass of pebbles as they rise along the Costières, creating a real suction of air. The tempering effect of these breezes increases the temperature range between day and night, which is known to preserve the freshness and purity of the fruit in the wines. These different elements produce grapes with high potential and high sugar content.

To produce a memorable Costières de Nîmes rosé wine, you need exceptional grape varieties. Fortunately, there is no shortage of these in the Rhône region.

To qualify for the Costières de Nîmes appellation, vineyards must use one of the following grape varieties: 

The finest wines of the Costières de Nîmes undoubtedly come from Château Mourgues du Grès and Château Mas Neuf.

Although Costières de Nîmes rosé wine is the best known of the AOP, it is far from being the only one. In fact, wine enthusiasts will be surprised to learn that the winery also produces red and white wines. 

Despite its exquisite flavor, Costières de Nîmes rosé wine is an alcoholic beverage that should be drunk young, just like its white counterpart. A red wine from the Costières de Nîmes appellation, on the other hand, can be kept for 4 to 5 years. 

For lovers of local produce, it is worth noting that Costières de Nîmes wine is not a drink that keeps for long. Whether white, red, or rosé, it is when young that it reveals its finest aromas. 

The Bordeaux wines covered by the Costières de Nîmes appellation have a color that leaves no one indifferent. Deep and sparkling, it is embellished with purple highlights when young.

White wines, on the other hand, have a clear, bright yellow color. Costières de Nîmes rosé wine ranges in color from pale pink to purple, before evolving into shades of salmon. 

When held to the nose, Bordeaux wines from the Costières de Nîmes appellation have an aroma in which red and stone fruits mingle. After a few seconds, this sweet smell gives way to candied fruits and spices. 

When Costières de Nîmes wine is made from Syrah grapes, it reveals aromas of red fruits and violets. However, when it includes Grenache grapes, it reveals spicy aromas. 

As for Costières de Nîmes rosé wine, it has floral and fruity aromas, with hints of ripe banana. The white wines are full of floral aromas, particularly acacia, with notes of citrus and exotic fruits.

Whether rosé, white, or red, the wines grouped under the Costières de Nîmes appellation are well worth a detour.