Côtes du Vivarais

TheAOC Côtes-du-Vivarais vineyards stretch along both sides of the Ardèche gorges on the Gras plateau, at an altitude of 250 meters. The appellation area covers 14 communes, 9 of which are in the Ardèche department and 5 in the Gard department.The grape varieties used forA.O.C. Côtes du Vivarais are Grenache and Syrah for red wines, Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault for rosé wines, and Clairette, Grenache Blanc and Marsanne for white wines. AOC red wines have aromas of black fruits and spices, rather robust tannins and a lovely freshness. They inherit their character from Grenache, which gives them structure, and borrow their spiciness from Syrah. The different cuvées vary in color (deep red, violet red) and aroma. The fresh rosés, made from the same grape varieties as the reds, are full-bodied in color and aroma, thanks to the presence of Grenache. Marsanne and Grenache give the appellation's white wines surprising minerality and freshness.