Grignan-les-Adhemar (formerly Coteaux du Tricastin) is an extensive appellation at the northern edge of the southern Rhone region. From the 2011 harvest, its name was changed to Grignan-les-Adhemar, to avoid negative associations with the vast and controversial Tricastin nuclear power plant.
(© Christophe Grilhé)
According to statistics from the French government, about 6350 acres (2570ha) was devoted to wine production under the AOC Tricastin appellation in 2005, involving more than 320 growers. This is several times more than when the appellation was granted in 1973, after nine years spent at the less prestigious VDQS level. The majority of these wines are reds and rosés, but some whites are also produced under the appellation.
The terroirs of the area are dominated by the steep hillsides that line the twisting, turning valleys to the south of the town of Montelimar. The slightly increased altitude of the local vineyards is expressed in the wine style, slightly lighter than most AOC Cotes du Rhone wines. The climate in the area is Mediterranean, with warm, dry summers helping the grapes to achieve maximum phenolic ripeness. As is the case up and down the entire length of the Rhone wine region, the best wines come from vineyards located on south-facing slopes, in particular those topographically protected from the cold northerly winds that roll along the Rhone river.
AOC Grignan-les-Adhemar reds are made predominantly from Grenache and Syrah, although an addition of up to 15% of Carignan, Mourvedre or Cinsaut is permitted, provided that the combined total of these varieties does not make up more than 30% of the final wine blend.
The white wines made under the appellation are a blend of Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier. No single variety may make up more than 60% of these wines, which are fresh and crisp in style, with notes of white flowers and stone fruits.
