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Downtime Food & Wine-National News June selection: venerable wines of Ventoux
| June selection: venerable wines of Ventoux |
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| Wednesday, 20 June 2007 | |
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Running from west to east, Mont Ventoux (1,912m) dominates the part of Provence east of Carpentras (Vaucluse). The vineyards of Ventoux are on its southern side. A recent discovery of wine jars and pottery dating from 30BC suggests that this is the oldest winegrowing area in France. In the early Christian era and later, when the Popes evacuated to Avignon, Ventoux wines came highly recommended. The winemakers’ guild was founded in 1939 and VDQS status (Vin délimité de qualité supérieure) was awarded in 1953. It was not until 1973 that Appellation contrôlée (AC) was decreed. More than 95% of the production is red and rosé of which nearly 80% is made in cooperatives. The main red grape varieties are grenache noir, syrah, cinsault and mourvèdre. Les Vignerons de Canteperdrix at Mazan is probably the best known Ventoux cooperative, because of its brand, Marquis de Sade. The infamous marquis co-owned Château Mazan in the 18th century, now a four-star hotel. Many of the Ventoux wines for export are made or blended by négociants in the southern Rhône Valley, such as the family firm of Arnoux et Fils founded in 1717 in Vacqueyras and the Cave la Romaine at Vaison-la-Romaine. Here are two rosés, two whites and two reds for June. Vieux Clocher, Arnoux et Fils, Côtes de Ventoux Range – red, white and rosé This inexpensive, but quality, range of wines is found on restaurant lists in many parts of France and abroad. Using the traditional Rhône blend of grenache and syrah, with a little carignan and cinsault, the rosés, made by the saignée method, are soft and fruity with 13° alcohol. They should appeal to the newer wine drinkers as an ideal meat accompaniment. The whites, from ugni blanc, grenache blanc, and clairette, are aromatic and slightly delicate. They can be served as an aperitif, or with white meat or light fish dishes. Contact for a tasting and a cellar visit: Vieux Clocher, 84190 Vacqueyras. Tel 04 90 65 84 18 or www.arnoux-vins.com  Caves la Romaine, Côtes du Ventoux Rosé 2005, AC A blend of grenache and cinsualt made ‘classically’ with cold fermentation at under 15°C gives a very strong fruit aroma of raspberries and strawberries plus hints of red cherry. A deep rosé colour and long on taste it makes a perfect match for barbecues. Contact Cave la Romaine, 84110 Vaison-la- Romaine. Tel 04 90 36 55 90 Marquis de Sade rouge 2004/5, Vignerons de Canteperdrix, AC Côtes du Ventoux Produced at the Mazan winery, under the shadow of Mont Ventoux, this wine is exclusively for accompanying red meat, game and strong soft cheeses. From a yield of 50 hectos per hectare, three to four weeks’ fermentation, followed by malolactic fermentation in vat, it reaches 13.5° to 14° alcohol. A deep ruby to garnet red, full-bodied, fruity with hints of vanilla and a long finish, it will give many a red wine lover a sadistic pleasure. Contact – Cave de Canteperdrix, 890 la Venue de Caromb, 84380 Mazan. Tel 04 90 69 70 31 Website www.canteperdrix.coop |
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