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".
Les côtes du Ventoux
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.
Les côtes du Luberon
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 hl/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.
Les côteaux de Pierrevert
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.
