AOC area in the southern section of the Rhône winegrowing region. It is classified as a cru (top appellation). Before the AOC elevation, it was one of the communes of the Côtes du Rhône-Villages area. The vineyards cover almost 1,200 hectares of vines and are located on the left bank of the Rhône in the communes of Vacqueyras and Sarrians in the department of Vaucluse. Famous French lovers of red wine were the actress Sarah Bernhardt (1844-1923) and the Nobel Prize winner for literature Fréderic Mistral (1830-1914). The red and rosé wines are mainly blended from the varieties Grenache Noir (Garnacha Tinta), Syrah, Mourvèdre (Monastrell) and Cinsaut. The white wines are produced from the varieties Grenache Blanc (Garnacha Blanca), Clairette, Bourboulenc, Clairette Blanche, Marsanne and Viognier. Well-known producers are Château du Trignon, Domaine de La Charbonnière, Domaine la Fourmone, Domaine la Garrigue, Jaboulet-Aîné, Domaine de la Monardière, Château de Montmirail, Domaine de Montvac, Château des Roques, Château des Tours and Montirius.
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