Is the Grand Avignon Is it a land of wines? Well, I think I can definitely say yes! For the record, it all began in the Middle Ages with the arrival of the popes in Avignon. Since then, vine cultivation has developed in the Rhône Valley. It was in Roquemaure that, in 1737, winemakers marked the first barrels with the letters “CdR” for “Costes du Rhône”. The wines have evolved considerably and have now earned a place of choice among the great French AOCs. In 1996, Avignon became the capital of the Côtes du Rhône! Just that!
As a novice wine and vineyard enthusiast, I will take you with me to discover the winegrowers of Vaucluse and Gard in order to learn more and meet wonderful people.
Tasting at the Domaine du Bois de Saint Jean in Jonquerettes
I first went to the smallest village in the Vaucluse, I named Jonquerettes, meeting the winegrowers of Saint Jean Wood estateThere I met Vincent and Xavier Anglès, two brothers who for over 30 years have distinguished themselves by making emblematic wines from the Rhône Valley with two key words: “Patience and Passion”.
A family story
It was in 1984 that Vincent and Xavier created their winery, eager to develop their own wines and express their expertise. These two brothers quickly established themselves as key winemakers in Vaucluse. Proud of their origins and traditions, they never cease to pay homage to Provence, with wines that reflect their image: powerful et solar which has fins et Details © licatsIt's a real family story because it was their great-grandfather, Joseph Requin, who planted the first vine in 1910.
Grape varieties and terroirs
I discovered that at the Bois de Saint Jean estate, among the 50 hectares of vines, we find 4 appellations: AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge, AOC Vacqueyras Rouge AOC Côtes du Rhône Villages Gadagne Rouge and AOC Côtes du Rhône available in three colors. A wide range of wines from the Rhône Valley !
Olive oil from the estate
I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the two winemaking brothers also produce their own olive oil ! An olive oil from Provence, 100% natural and 100% local : a true delight. It is pressed less than 2km from the property, at the Moulin à Huile de la Rétanque in Saint-Saturnin-les-Avignon. The olives are pressed there within 18 hours of harvesting to preserve all the benefits and flavor qualities of this fruit. I highly recommend it!
Discover the La Quine estate in Saze
I continue my discovery wines from Grand Avignon in the charming commune of Saze, located on the Gard side. Initially created by Yves in 2000, it was his son-in-law, Alexandre, who took over the torch of family estate.
Passion for the vine from generation to generation
The transmission of know-how, partage, and the open-mindedness of the two men have allowed the field to evolve and develop its potential over the years. vineyard is in organic conversion and is inspired by this type of agriculture by using largely Organic Products, and a little biodynamics with the principle of the lunar calendar for the harvest and working the soil.
Grape varieties and environmental commitment
vines cultivated are mainly the great southern classics of the Côtes du Rhône, such as Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Carignan. You will taste Côtes du Rhône Villages Signargues, local wines from Gard and the Les Jas cuvée, Côtes du Rhône Rosé.
I was pleasantly surprised this time to learn that the estate, in the midst of organic conversion, has created its own model of agriculture in the respect for nature using largely organic products and the biodynamicsIn this sense, they were certified HVE (High Environmental Value) in 2022.
Committed to the municipality of Saze
Alexandre, the stepson, as you will have understood, is very involved in the village life and he even participates in the preparation of bundles of vine shoots which are burned each year during the Saint Sebastian festival (traditional village festival which takes place on January 20 of each year). This festival has been rooted for three centuries in the memory and habits of the Sazains.
Tasting at the Demazet Winery in Morières-Lès-Avignon
I then went to Morières-lès-Avignon, side Vaucluse this time, to meet the Demazet winery. At the gates of the ancient papal city of Avignon, it is the southernmost vineyard from the left bank of the Rhône. It extends from Fontaine-de-Vaucluse to the gates of Avignon and on a hill extending towards the villages of Caumont-sur-Durance and Vedène.
Know-how and tradition
I learned that in this cellar, there are 100 winegrowers who combine their passion for the vine and their know-how to enhance this prestigious terroir of the Rhône Valley. The cellar also has a huge shop with wines from the cellar but also a large selection of local products made in Provence !
Double terroir for this Vaucluse cooperative winery: AOP Côtes-du-Rhône and AOP Ventoux.
This wine cooperative Vaucluse benefits from a double terroir: it is labeled AOP Côtes-du-Rhône and AOP Ventoux!
Côtes-du-Rhône terroir
Located at the gates of the ancient papal city, this vineyard is the southernmost of the left bank of the Rhône. It extends from Fontaine-de-Vaucluse to the outskirts of Avignon, and also covers a hill extending from the village of Caumont-sur-Durance to that of Vedène.
Ventoux terroir
Nestled at the foot of Mont Ventoux, on its southern slope, this terroir offers a green landscape typical of ProvenceThe vine coexists harmoniously with other Provençal crops.
Winemaking secrets, guided tour and tasting
During visit of the estate, I was able to discover the beautiful storage space where the wines age in barrels. Here, they also use modern techniques such as thermovinification since 2013. If you too would like to discover all the secrets of winemaking, simply contact them to book a guided tour followed by a tasting.
I met the Assemat and Castel Oualou vineyards
I end my journey in the heart of the vineyards of Grand Avignon à Roquemaure, a picturesque village nestled between vineyards and historical remains. It was here, at the port of Roquemaure, that in the 18th century, barrels of wine were shipped to the north of France, Burgundy, England, but also to Avignon, Bordeaux, Tuscany, Florence and Spain. The history of Roquemaure is therefore closely linked to that of wine.
It's still a beautiful one family history that I discovered with Emmanuelle and Jean-François Assemat. In 1961, the Assemat family, returning from Algeria, bought some fallow land where vines had once been cultivated, before the attack of phylloxera.
A family tradition rooted since 1961
In 1866, a plague destroyed the economic and social life of Roquemaure. For the first time in Europe, a vine disease, initially called "Roquemaure spots," appeared: phylloxera. The vines were therefore abandoned and became wastelands. In 1961, Marie Pons-Mure, returning from Algeria, bought part of the fallow vines. She planted, in this red earth covered with round pebbles, grape varieties such as Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Mourvèdre and the history of the Castel Oulaou estate begins.
The new generation at the helm: Emmanuelle and Jean-François
Today, it is Emmanuelle and Jean-François, brother and sister and therefore great-grandchildren of Marie, who are in charge. True wine enthusiasts, they perpetuate the family heritage by carefully cultivating the few 59 hectares of vines !
In addition to their work as winemakers, I learned that they were also dynamic players in local life. Emmanuelle is very involved in the Brotherhood of Gaugers of Lirac. She actively participates in promoting the wines of the Lirac appellation by participating in wine festivals.
The “Oualou” Castle
Let's finish this wine getaway with an anecdote! “Oualou” means “nothing” in Arabic. You might ask, what’s the connection? When they first bottled, Marie (the grandmother) labeled her bottles with an illustration of the “castle of the Thousand and One Nights”. However, since the castle did not exist, the law refused to allow this name and the logo that accompanied it. Marie then crossed out the castle from all the bottles and replaced “Chateau des Mille et Une Nuits” with “Castel Oualou”, “the castle that does not exist”. Today, the estate’s label still illustrates this funny anecdote!
So this weekend, I let myself be tempted by a wine getaway , meet winegrowers du Grand AvignonFrom Jonquerettes to Saze, via Morières-les-Avignon and Roquemaure, each area offered me a unique and authentic experience. In addition to tasting exceptional wines, I had the chance to discover family stories, terroirs diverse and deeply rooted traditions in this beautiful wine region. Mark your calendars and enjoy your wine trip!
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Gem hunters, you've come to the right place. Here, we share our discoveries with you, because we're never done...explore Grand AvignonCulinary experiences, local getaways and other travel tips, we tell you everything!
This weekend, I meet the winemakers of Grand Avignon for an unforgettable experience in the heart of the Rhône Valley. This region, famous for its exceptional wines, offers an immersion in Provençal wine culture. The wine estates of Vaucluse and Gard Rhodanien open their doors, allowing you to discover the secrets of producing world-renowned AOC wines. The winemakers of Villeneuve-lez-Avignon, Rochefort-du-Gard and all the communes of Grand Avignon share their ancestral know-how and their love of the land, offering tastings and guided tours of their estates. The tourist office of Grand Avignon facilitates the organization of these meetings, allowing wine lovers to discover the wine riches of the Grand AvignonIn Provence-Alpes, the vineyards stretch as far as the eye can see, producing wines that delight the palates of connoisseurs. Whether you are a seasoned oenophile or a curious person wanting to better understand viticulture, this weekend in the Grand Avignon promises to be rich in discoveries and flavors. Come explore the estates, meet the winemakers and savor the wines that have made this exceptional region of France famous. In short, a weekend of meeting with the winemakers of Grand Avignon, is to dive into the world of Rhône wines, discover exceptional wine estates and taste AOC vintages while enjoying the cultural and historical richness of this magnificent region of Provence.
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