AOC area on the right bank of the northern section of the Rhône. On the opposite left bank is the Grignan-les-Adhémar AOC area. It is divided by the river Ardèche, which flows into the Rhône at Pont-Saint-Esprit. The vineyards cover some 650 hectares of vineyards in the communes of Bidon, Gras, Labastide-de-Virac, Lagorce, Larnas, Orgnac-l'Aven, Saint-Montan, Saint-Remèze and Vinezac in the Ardèche, and Barjac, Le Garn, Issirac, Montclus and Saint-Privat-de-Champclos in the Gard. The communes of Orgnac (famous for its karst caves), Saint-Remèze and Saint-Montan may add their names to the appellation.
As late as the 1950s, simple mass wines were still produced here, also from hybrid vines, and marketed as cask wines. The former VDQS area was classified in 1999. The red wine is blended from at least 30% Grenache Noir(Garnacha Tinta) and at least 40% Syrah, and a maximum of 10% Cinsaut. The rosé must contain at least two of the three varieties Syrah, Grenache Noir and Cinsaut. The white wine is produced from at least two of the three varieties Grenache Blanc(Garnacha Blanca), Clairette and Marsanne.
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Technischer Lehrer, staatl. geprüfter Sommelier, Hotelfachschule Heidelberg