Wines from Ardèche
The Ardèche, a wine-producing region
A department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, the Ardèche has a variety of landscapes and climates that are favourable to vine growing. In fact, vines have been growing in the Ardèche since antiquity, as archaeological research around Alba-la-Romaine has shown, and wine-growing is part of the land.
The wines are mainly produced in the southern part of the Ardèche, mainly Côtes-du-Rhône in the Rhône valley and Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages along the river and Côtes-du-Vivarais in the southeast of the department.
They are found under their own appellation (AOC). There were two protected geographical indications, called Vins de Pays d’Ardèche and Côteaux de l’Ardèche. They have been grouped together under the PGI Ardèche. The PGI Ardèche represents about 75% of Ardèche wines.
Grape varieties used in the Ardèche
Many grape varieties are grown in the Ardèche, offering a diversity of tastes, aromas and colours. When tasting, the aromatic aspect of the grape stands out as well as the vinification process used, and it is easy to compare the fruity wine with the dry wine for example.
For red wine, we note grenache, syrah, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, gamay, pinot. Cinsault and carignan are also grown. There is also an Ardèche grape variety, Chatus, which comes from the Cévennes in the Ardèche. It produces a wine with high tannins, ideal for fatty dishes.
The white wine is mainly made from chardonnay and viognier, offering dry and aromatic wines.
Sauvignon Blanc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Ugni Blanc, Marsanne and Roussanne are also sometimes found. With a base of red or white fruits, great wines are produced from the Ardèche vineyards!
The different wines of Ardèche
Red wines
There are some excellent red wines in the Ardèche. For example, the organic Côtes-du-Rhône and the Terres d’Ardèche oak cuvée from the Vignerons Ardéchois, the Côtes-du-Vivarais from the Domaine Notre-Dame de Cousignac and the Domaine du Père Léon, and the Côtes-du-Rhône from the Cellier du Moulas and the Château Rochecolombe. But it is above all the Chatus that you should try.
Some estates have specialised in this local variety, such as the Grangeon estate, the Lablachère winery, the La Cévenole cooperative winery and the Salel Renaud estate.
White wines
White wines in the Ardèche are often fresh and balanced. Try the Cuvée Inès from Domaine Vigier, the Vendanges d’Octobre from Vignerons Ardéchois or the Côtes Du Vivarais from Domaine Gallety.
Rosé wines
Thanks to the diversity of grape varieties grown, the Ardèche also has plenty of fresh rosé wines to enjoy in summer, in the shade of an old tree facing the Monts d’Ardèche. Cuvée Romy from Domaine de Vigier, Cuvée Esprit from Domaine de Cassagnole and Cuvée Maguelonne from Domaine de la Selve are among the most popular rosés from the Ardèche.
Where to taste Ardèche wines?
The Ardèche has become a true wine destination and tasting an Ardèche wine is one of the unmissable experiences that the Ardèche has to offer. There is no shortage of shops and wine tasting venues and you will have plenty of time to taste Ardèche wines during your holiday in the Ardèche.
In Saint-Didier-Sous-Aubenas you will find the Maison des Vignerons Ardéchois, which brings together hundreds of winegrowers who are passionate about their trade and their land. They also have a space in Ruoms, the Néovinum. Of course, many wine estates open their doors to wine lovers to share a moment together, such as the Domaine Notre-Dame de Cousina in Bourg-Saint-Andéol or the Domaine de Grangeon in Rosières for example.
Lovers of wine tourism will be surprised by the original ways of tasting the wines of the Ardèche: caving in the caves of Saint-Marcel, visiting the vineyards on two horses or canoeing down the vineyard at the Domaine du Colombier, wine tourists will be able to discover different aspects of the Ardèche at the same time.
To taste the best Ardèche wines and why not leave with a bottle, let’s also mention the Cave Ardéchoise and 2000 Vins d’Ardèche in Vallon-Pont-d’Arc and the Caveau La Cévenole in Rosières. Finally, the easiest way is to go to a good restaurant in Ardèche like the Auberge des Ranchisses!
