Gigondas is a village in the southern Rhone valley, with its own appellation for Grenache-based red and rosé wines. The appellation occupies an area covering the base and slopes of the first Dentelles de Montmirail foothills. The villages of Beaumes-de-Venise and Vacqueyras are located to the south and west of Gigondas respectively and enjoy very similar growing conditions. The terroir here is characterized by a hot, dry Mediterranean climate and by the combination of limestone soils (on the Montmirail slopes to the east) and rocky, sandy, free-draining soils (on the flatter, lower-lying land to the north and west).
Both red and rosé wines are made predominantly from Grenache (up to 80%, according to the appellation laws), with varying quantities of Syrah and Mourvedre, the two varieties with which Grenache is most commonly mixed in the region. Any Gigondas wine may have a maximum of 10% of any variety sanctioned by the standard Cotes du Rhone appellation laws (except Carignan).
The resulting style of wine made under the appellation is often likened to that of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, just 10 miles (17km) to the southwest. This style is bold, forward, ripe and relatively high in alcohol – in fact, the appellation laws require a minimum alcohol level of 12.5%, one of the highest stipulated for French red wine. The quality measures taken in the creation of Gigondas' wines include the mandatory selection of healthy grapes over imperfect grapes, known in French as triage.
Despite the high quality of the wines and the increased costs associated with their creation, Gigondas is still seen as a less expensive alternative to Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
