Lirac and Tavel to the south are the only AOP areas on the west bank of the southern Rhone. The vineyards of the two areas share, at Roquemaure, the last hills of the Garrigues, a mountainous area dating back to the Cretaceous period.
The wine-growing zone, which currently covers about 700 hectares, is one of the oldest in France; vines were already grown here 2000 years ago. The wines of the region achieved fame especially during the Avignonese papacy and beyond until the 16th century.
Today, Lirac is mainly known as a cheaper alternative to the famous rosés of its southern neighbour, but unlike Tavel, the AOP here also applies to red and white wines, which often turn out much more interesting than the rosés. Although the red wines rarely reach the weight of a Châteauneuf-du-Pape from the directly opposite bank, they are generally somewhat firmer and more tart than the usually more hedonistic growths at the south-eastern end of the Rhone, which makes them remarkably independent representatives of the growing region.
White wine plays only a very insignificant role in the Lirac in terms of volume, but it can be remarkably good. The reason for this is probably the somewhat higher altitude of the vineyards compared to many subzones in the east, with their lime-rich soil. Even the stronger versions usually have firmness, freshness and usually also clear, light minerality.
We have currently tasted 39 wines of the AOP Lirac, which we present here and, as always, also in a PDF. Further links to the wines and producers of the Lirac can be found by clicking on the respective headings.
- 90WP 2016 "La Reine de Bois", Domaine de la Mordorée
- 88WP 2016 Château d'Aquéria
- 88WP 2016 "La Dame Rousse", Domaine de la Mordorée
- 88WP 2016 "Le Fermade", Domaine Maby
- 88WP 2016 Château Mont-Redon
- 87WP 2015 "Baron Louis", Château de Montfaucon
- 87WP 2016 "Cuvée Elie", Domaine La Lôyane
- 87WP 2016 "Cuvée Signature", Domaine de Castel Oualou
- 87WP 2016 Domaine de Montfaucon
- 86WP 2016 "Cuvée Confidentielle", Château Saint Roch
- 86WP 2015 "Réserve", Domaine de Castel Oualou
- 86WP 2016 "Réserve Saint Dominique", Domaine La Bastide Saint Dominique
- 86WP 2016 "Terra Ancestra", Rocca Maura
- 86WP 2016 Rocca Maura
- 86WP 2016 "St. Valentine", Rocca Maura
- 85WP 2016 Domaine Pélaquié
- 85WP 2016 Chapoutier
- 85WP 2016 "Vieilles Vignes Domaine des Causses et Saint-Eynes", Domaine de Castel Oualou
- 85WP 2016 Château Saint Roch
- 85WP 2014 "Baron Louis", Château de Montfaucon
- 84WP 2016 "Domaine de Georand", Laudun Chusclan Vignerons
- 84WP 2015 Château de Montfaucon
- 83WP 2016 "Les Cosses Vacquiéres", Laudun Chusclan Vignerons
- 93WP 2016 "Vin de Mme la Comtesse de Montfaucon", Château de Montfaucon
- 88WP 2017 "Comtesse Madeleine", Château de Montfaucon
- 88WP 2017 "La Reine des Bois", Domaine de la Mordorée
- 88WP 2017 "Cuvée Diane", Domaine La Lôyane
- 87WP 2017 Château Mont-Redon
- 87WP 2017 "Cuvée Confidentielle", Château Saint Roch
- 87WP 2017 Rocca Maura
- 86WP 2017 "La Fermade", Domaine Maby
- 86WP 2017 Domaine de Castel Oualou
- 86WP 2017 Château d'Aquéria
- 86WP 2016 Domaine Pélaquié
- 85WP 2017 Château Saint Roch
- 85WP 2017 "Cuvée Lucas", Château Boucarut
