Located in the south-east of France, the Ardèche département offers tourist as well as oenological attractions of a special kind. The region is named after the Ardèche river, which winds its way through impressive valleys and gorges and flows into the Rhône after 125 kilometres. No less impressive are the Côtes du Vivarais, extending over almost 650 hectares of vineyards, whose wines enjoy an excellent reputation among connoisseurs. The wine-growing region has indeed borne the Vin Délimité de Qualité Supérieure (VDQS) designation since the 1960s, but has only been allowed to use the name AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) since 1999.
Unique impressions of nature
The Ardèche département welcomes its visitors with natural landscapes such as can hardly be found a second time in Europe and which more than deserve the label “unique”. It is therefore not surprising that tourists longing for peace and nature lose themselves in the mountains, high plateaus and mountain landscapes, but also in the extensive fir forests of the Ardèche département and the seven neighbouring départements. An area of almost 180,000 hectares is also designated as a reserve and offers protection to a multitude of animal and plant species, some of them endemic. Anyone who also wants to approach one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world at altitudes of up to 1,700 metres is in exactly the right place here. Further attractions are the extremely picturesque villages and the Roman ruins and medieval castles found in many places. Wine connoisseurs also appreciate the fruity grape varieties grown on the slopes of the Côtes du Vivarais and made into outstanding wines.
The Côtes du Vivarais – wines for connoisseurs
Until late in the 1950s the Côtes du Vivarais were known, at best, for mediocre grapes that were blended into equally mediocre table wines. A restructuring of the wine-growing area, systematically introduced in the 1960s, and specialisation in noble grape varieties such as Syrah, Cinsault and Grenache have, however, helped the region to an enormous oenological upswing. With a comparatively low yield of around 20,000 hectolitres a year, the Côtes du Vivarais nevertheless set new standards, especially with regard to the Syrah grape originally native here. Many of the wines sold from here therefore have a Syrah content of around 60 %, which gives them a particularly fruity and at the same time extraordinarily light note. With about 25 % of total production, the rosé wines play a rather subordinate role, but their uncomplicated fruity taste makes them equally valued wines that enjoy a loyal fan base. The share of white wine, on the other hand, is insignificant and therefore needs only little attention.
Anyone who sets off on a voyage of discovery through this still largely unspoilt region will be rewarded with impressive landscapes – and with excellent wines. Incidentally, culinary tasting excursions are highly recommended, on which you may not only taste the excellent wines but which should also include the most varied gourmet specialities of the region.