|
|
The first white wines from the Gigondas AOC have been officially released for sale. The appellation in the southern Rhône was only extended to white wines with the 2023 vintage. After eleven years of negotiations, the region's application was accepted by the National Institute of Origin and Quality (INAO) in September 2022. Prior to this, all white wines from the region had to be labelled as Côtes du Rhône.
The main grape variety is Clairette Blanche, which must be either a single variety or at least 70 per cent of the wine. Only the traditional white varieties of the Rhône valley may be used as cuvée partners, i.e. Bourboulenc Blanc, Clairette Rose, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne Blanc, Piquepoul Blanc or Roussanne. Viognier and Ugni Blanc are permitted with up to five per cent of the grape variety.
The wineries in Gigondas are only just starting out with their white wines. In 2022, there were only 16 hectares planted with white varieties. Many winegrowers have now replanted their Syrah vines with Clairette, as Syrah is showing major problems with climate change.
(ru / Hudin)