Welcome
Vacqueyras
The Rhône Valley is one of France’s warmest wine regions and is home to marvellous wines of all colours and styles. One of the Rhône’s most exciting wines is surely Vacqueyras.
An umbrella appellation: Côtes du Rhône covers southern Rhône or Rhône Meridionnel. Winemakers in the vast region can label their wines as such, benefiting from the appellation’s fame. When communes or villages stand out for their wine quality, they can claim the title of Côtes du Rhône Villages. As the town continues to impress, it earns its own appellation; that was the case with Vacqueyras, an appellation in its own right since 1990.
Vacqueyras is the source of white, rosé and red wine made with the region’s well-known grapes, and although the appellation is small, it is considered one of the most quality-oriented sub-regions in Southern Rhône. The area has steeply terraced vineyards and varied soils. Winemaking here goes back to the Roman Era and was prevalent throughout the Middle Ages. Cadastral maps delineating the region’s vineyards go back to 1414!
The warm Mediterranean breeze keeps the vines in Vacqueyras fresh, while the intense Mistral wind rolling down the Massif Central protects them from fungal diseases. This is truly the perfect spot to grow grapes for fine wine production.
Production
Although winemakers in Vacqueyras can make wine in several styles, 94% of the region’s output is red wine, followed by white wine with 5% and rosé with 1%. The yield in the vineyards is kept low, averaging 32 hectolitres of wine per hectare across the appellation’s 1452 hectares of vines.
Vacqueyras produces around 46,800 hectolitres of wine every year, and 32% of it is exported! As mentioned above, Vacqueyras is one of the 32 appellations in the Rhône Valley. Although the broad region champions 34 unique varietals, Vacqueyras is strict with the grapes that can be used, as described in the section below.
Red Vacqueyras is often made artisanally. Fermenting whole bunches is not rare, and extended maceration guarantees robust wine. Vacqueyras sees oak ageing, but the barrels are often large and rarely made with new wood. This makes the appellation’s wines rustic but extraordinarily complex. The art of blending the various grapes available in the region is what ultimately defines the wine’s character.
Just a few kilometres from prestigious appellations, such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas, Vacqueyras has proved to be a fantastic source of red wine, often as impressive but less expensive than its neighbours’.
Grape Varieties and Blends
To make red Vacqueyras, producers must use at least 50% Grenache Noir, and the combination of Syrah and Mourvèdre must comprise at least 20% of the final blend. Any other Rhône varietal can be part of Vacqueyras’ wines, but none can comprise more than 10% of the blend.
When making rosé, winemakers must use at least 60% Grenache. Cinsault and Mourvedre must comprise at least 15% of the blend. For white wines, Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Clairette, Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier are all allowed, but no grape can comprise more than 80% of the blend.
The allowed varieties in the appellation include Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Picpoul, Terret Noir, Counoise, Muscardin, Vaccarese, Picardan, Cinsault, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Grenache Noire and Picpoul. The leading white varieties are Roussanne, Marsanne and Viognier.
Producers have perfected the art of blending grapes in the Southern Rhône, where mono-varietal wines are rare. The result is complex wines that bring out the best of each grape. Adding the varied terroir to the grape selection, we can honestly say no wine is the same in Vacqueyras. Even neighbouring estates craft entirely different wines — still, they all taste like the sun-drenched terroir.
Buy Vacqueyras Wines from Hourlier Wines
At Pierre Hourlier Wines, we have a varied selection of Rhône wines and have partnered with small, quality-minded producers to offer reliable interpretations of the unique terroir.
Vacqueyras: Domaine Chamfort La Perdriere
Nestled in the geological formation known as the Dentelles de Montmirail. Domain Chamfort has prestigious terroir in Vacqueyras. The estate has been releasing world-class wine since 2010, and their La Perdriere is no exception. This red wine is made with 65% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 15% Mourvèdre from vines averaging 40 years old. The wine spends between 12 and 18 months in oak to offer ripe red fruit aromas, spices and leather over a rustic but charming palate with impressive length. Enjoy with beef, game and semi-hard cheese.
FAQ
Where does Vacqueyras wine originate?
Vacqueyras is an appellation in the Southern Rhône Valley. along the banks of the River Ouvèze, in the Dentelles de Montmirail foothills. The region is only 80 kilometres north of the Mediterranean Sea and also benefits from the strong, cooling Mistral wind. The appellation has 1452 hectares of vines.
What does Vacqueyras AOC wine taste like?
Although the appellation produces white and rosé, most of its production is red wine. Vacqueyras red offers ripe red and black fruit aromas, often followed by spice, leather and undergrowth or “garrigue.” On the palate, Vacqueyras is often bold and concentrated with a full body and noticeable tannins. Wines from Vacqueyras are also lengthy and persistent.
Which food groups pair well with Vacqueyras wine?
Vacqueyras red wine is best enjoyed with red meat, whether fatty beef cuts, goat, lamb or game, especially if smoked or grilled. Sausages and cured meat are also compatible with the red wine, and so are mushrooms, bell peppers and black olives.
