Côtes du Ventoux

267 appellations — a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Appellation Details

This large appellation is located in the southern reaches of the Rhône valley, sitting to the west of Avignon. Sandwiched in between many of the Côtes du Rhône-Villages and the Côtes du Lubéron, Côtes du Ventoux is known almost as much for being the starting point for the cold mistral winds found in the Rhône during wintertime as it is for the light and fruity red wines produced here. The soil is mainly limestone, though parts of this large area are covered with sand, gravel and bare rock.

Grenache, Syrah, Cinsaut and Carignan are the major players here for both red and rosé wines, though most wines are mainly Grenache. Though the wines generally do not have the richness, intensity, spice and tannin of better known communes nearby, they can be a pleasant and easy-drinking treat when young. Small amounts of white wine is made primarily from the Clairette varietal with little fanfare.