Vaucluse

The Vaucluse IGP is a departmental appellation subject to numerous production requirements. It applies, of course, only to producers located in the Vaucluse department who apply for it. Among theseVaucluse IGP producers, some are well worth discovering for the pleasure their wines offer—notably Château des Tourettes.

Grapes forthe Vaucluse IGP must be harvested separately. Winemaking and aging take place in separate tanks. Submission for certification must be as a single-varietal wine, provided that the area planted with that variety is documented. Finally, two certification bodies verify the quality ofthe Vaucluse IGP. The authorized grape varieties in the appellation are Merlot, Syrah, Grenache, Chardonnay, Sauvignon, and Viognier, but other varieties such as Marselan, Caladoc, Roussanne, Marsanne, Chasan, and Tempranillo are also emerging, bringing new palettes of aromas and flavors. Although the wines are primarily sold as blends, the winemakers ofthe Vaucluse PGI are committed to pushing the boundaries of quality, and single-varietal wines are becoming increasingly common.