MINIPLAN - Luberon Provence - Lodgings and accommodations in Luberon Provence France



		ACCOMODATION

		Bed and breakfast

		Hotels

		Holiday rentals

		Campgrounds


		GASTRONOMY

		Restaurants

		Wine

			Wineyards

			Guaranteed vint.

		Regional produce


		WEDDING/SEMINAR

		Room rentals

		Suppliers


		TOURISM

		Museums

		Places of interest

		Sport and leisure

		Open air Markets

		Villages in the Luberon area



An essential part of the Provencal landscape, vineyards have grown in the Luberon since the Romans settled here. Official deeds dating from the Middle Ages describe the presence of vineyards on both sides of the Luberon mountain slopes, particularly in the Aigues area. In the 14th century, when the Popes established their residence in Avignon, the areas planted in vineyards expanded. The popes appreciated good wine and influenced the spread of vine-growing and wine-making, which prospered up until the 19th century, when the phylloxera disease made its appearance and destroyed vast areas of vineyards. Today, the Luberon vine growers deliberately produce very low yields, placing their emphasis on high quality wines. The vines grown in the Luberon park benefit from outstanding sunshine and highly contrasted topography. Luberon vines feature a wide range of grape varieties which enable production of very diverse blends. The wines made from the lands in the Luberon Regional Park are full of character. The territory covers three different appellations: Côtes du Ventoux, Côtes du Luberon, and Coteaux de Pierrevert.


		White wine grape varieties Bourboulenc makes fresh, aromatic, floral wines. Clairette blanche, a very old varietal, has a naturally high level of alcohol, and elegant, complex floral aromas. Roussanne, noble, refined and aromatic, adds gorgeous notes of walnut, apricot and honey. Roussanne ages beautifully. Vermentino makes quality white wine with a lovely pale color. Notes of hawthorn, hazelnut, chamomile ... Grenache blanc (see the red wine grapes) brings aromas of narcissus and privet flowers Ugni blanc, the “universal” grape, gives pale, dry, fairly vigorous whites. The acidity provided by Ugni blanc is good for certain blends. Banana aromas.
Man has grown grapes on the slopes of Mont Ventoux since the 6th century BC. On Mont Ventoux, known as the Giant of Provence, vineyards are sheltered from the Mistral winds. During the Middle Ages, the vineyards, then part of the Comtat Venaissin, were well-known all the way to Rome for producing one of the best wines from the Pontifical States. The A.O.C. Côtes du Ventoux was established in 1973. The Côtes du Ventoux vineyards grown in the Luberon Park cover 2800 hectares. In 2002, total annual production came to 318,000 hl, with 97% red and rosé wines and 3 % white wines. Though the grape varieties grown are similar to the southern Rhone valley grapes, the presence of Mont Ventoux, the resulting climatic conditions and the terroir provide the Côtes du Ventoux wines with their own special characteristics. The main grape varieties grown for the reds and rosés are Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Cinsault and Mourvèdre. Secondary varieties include Picpoul noir, Counoise, Clairette and Bourboulenc. White wines are primarily made from Clairette, Bourboulenc and Grenache blanc, with contributions from Ugni blanc, Roussanne, Picpoul and Pascal blanc. Côtes du Ventoux vineyards produce both excellent wines for drinking young and good long-keeping wines.

		Red wine grape varieties Grenache noir provides the alcohol base, with its high sugar content. Grenache noir is also the source of great jammy notes, ripe fruit and the slightly peppery notes. Tannin-rich Syrah enhances the robe and gives forth aromas of violet and red fruit. Cinsault softens the strong character of the Grenache and adds finesse. Carignan adds solidity and body to the wine, and subtle aromas of banana. Mourvèdre is also rich in tannins. Rustic, a source of acidity and astringency, Mourvèdre adds aromas of pepper, spice, carnation, and contributes greatly to the wine’s ability to improve with age.
The Côtes du Luberon AOC, granted in 1988, covers 36 towns within the boundaries of the Luberon park. Côtes du Luberon vines produce primarily red wines. The rosés and whites, produced in smaller quantities, are also outstanding. The Côtes du Luberon vineyards are planted on the northern and southern slopes of the Luberon hills, on nearly 4,240 hectares of land. Annual production came to 165,000 hectoliters in 2002. Average annual yield is between 42 to 48 hectoliters/hectare. The red wines are primarily made from Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Carignan and Cinsault. Other grape varieties going into the red wines to a lesser extent include Picpoul noir, Counoise noir, Gamay and Pinot noir. The white wines are primarily blends of Grenache blanc, Ugni blanc, Vermentino, Clairette and Bourboulenc. You will also find contributions from Roussanne and Marsanne.



	The Coteaux de Pierrevert AOC covers a small territory of approximately 400 hectares which has remained somewhat confidential. The AOC, which dates from 1998, is located in the eastern part of the Luberon hills. Here you’ll find landscapes which hint of the approaching Alps, yet with strong Provencal influences too. The vintners here produce average annual volumes of 16,500 hectoliters, for 60% red wines, 30% rosés and 10% white wines. The main varietals going into the reds include Syrah, Grenache noir and Carignan, and to a lesser extent, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Grenache blanc and Vermentino dominate the whites, with judicious use of Roussanne, Clairette, Marsanne, Picpoul and Ugni blanc.