What I Learned

Vacqueyras is a small town in Provence, France, with a big name in the wine world. Like its neighboring AOC Gigondas, the southern Rhone reds from Vacqueyras are big and powerful. However, there are some important differences between these two appellations.

Although Vacqueyras has over 600 years of written viticultural history, it only obtained appellation status in 1990, making it a newer appellation than Gigondas. It has slightly more area under vine than Gigondas, which results in slightly more wine production. However, the big difference is that white wine is produced under the Vacqueyras appellation rules as well as red. Although it amounts to only about four percent from a variety of white varietals (Marsanne, Roussane, Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Clairette, and Viognier), the white AOC Vacqueyras wines are good, and delightfully floral.

The difference between Vacqueyras and Gigondas is apparent in the taste too. Vacqueyras tends to use less Grenache Noir and more Syrah and/or Mourvedre. Like Gigondas, other red Rhone varietals can make up to 10% of the final blend, including Carignan. (Carignan is not allowed in Gigondas.) Bottom line, I find that the blends of Vacqueyras red wines can be a bit more varied, with new discoveries in practically every bottle.

 

What I Tasted

2014 Vacqueyras, Cuvee Traditionnelle, Appellation Vacqueyras Controlee, Domaine La Garrique: A dry red wine (80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre, 5% Cinsault) with dark garnet color; smoke, oak and red fruit aromas; red berry flavors; strong tannins.

2013 Vacqueyras, Cuvee Traditionnelle, Appellation Vacqueyras Controlee, Domaine La Garrique: A dry red wine (80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre, 5% Cinsault) with dark garnet color; smoke, oak and red fruit aromas; red berry flavors; strong tannins.

2013 Vacqueyras, Cuvee Seigneur de Fontimple, Cru des Cotes du Rhone, Vignerons de Caractere, (Vacqueyras): A dry red wine cuvee (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan) with a dark garnet color; nose of red fruits, and red fruits and oak flavors; medium plus tannins.

2013 Vacqueyras, Cuvee Floureto, Appellation Vacqueyras Controlee, Domaine Du Sang des Cailloux: A dry red wine cuvee (70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 7% Mourvedre, 3% Cinsault) with a deep red maroon color; slight red fruits nose, and red fruits, smoke and oak flavors; medium tannins.

2011 Vacqueyras, Cuvee Traditionnelle, Appellation Vacqueyras Controlee, Domaine La Garrique: A dry red wine (80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre, 5% Cinsault) with dark garnet color; smoke, oak and red berry aromas; red berry, to include cherry, flavors; medium, but nicely mellowed, tannins.

2011 Vacqueyras, Appellation Vacqueyras Controlee, Domaine Le Pont du Rieu: a dry red wine with dark ruby color; a smooth cuvee (70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 5% Cinsault and 5% Mourvedre) with concentrated red fruit and oak nose and flavors; smooth but intense tannins.