Piquepoul comes from the vineyards of Provence and Languedoc. It is also found in Portugal and Spain. It produces a lightly coloured red wine, not very tannic, fine and with a nice acidity. It has a rich bouquet of floral and fruit aromas. It is a secondary grape variety which shouldn’t exceed 10% of the grape variety.
Brun Argenté
This red grape variety cultivated in the Rhone Valley produces wines with low alcohol content but a strong colour. A late-budding grape variety, it is also known as Vaccarèse or Camarèse. Often associated with Grenache, it produces tannic wines with a peppery aroma. The Brun Argenté stands out for its aromatic originality, providing finesse and a rustic feel to the wine. It’s an accessory grape variety which shouldn’t exceed 10% of the grape variety.
Counoise
Counoise, also known as “Moustardier” is a black grape variety of Spanish origin, widely grown in the south of France. Its bunches are of medium size, but its grapes are large. It’s best to prune it short to keep its production balanced. Its ripening period is the second stage but production depends on the vintage. The Counoise gives a fine, fruity, supple wine with good acidity, with notes of fruit, flowers and spices. Its colour is more or less dark and brilliant and it’s an accessory grape variety which shouldn’t exceed 10% of the grape variety.
Carignan
Mainly cultivated in Languedoc, Carignan is native to Spain. A grape variety that thrives in hot, dry soils, Carignan produces a wine of beautiful colour, structure and tannin. Carignan is a late-budding grape variety. It is productive and its bunches are large, compact, spherical, with medium to large grapes. Its skin is bluish-black and thick. Carignan is not afraid of drought, which is why it has been successfully planted in warm regions. It is an accessory grape variety that shouldn’t exceed 10% of the grape variety.
Cinsault
Cinsault is a southern grape variety of Provençal origin which has settled permanently in the Languedoc and the Rhone valley. Its bunches are large, composed of large grapes with very juicy flesh. It is a late-budding grape variety that needs sunshine and resists well to drought, quite productive but fragile against diseases. It prefers poor soils for quality production. Cinsault is associated with Grenache and Carignan for the production of red wines, and also plays a part in the production of rosé wines. It is an accessory grape variety which shouldn’t exceed 10% of the grape variety.
Mourvèdre
Of Spanish, and more precisely Catalan, origin, Mourvèdre has been cultivated in France since the end of the middle ages on the Mediterranean coast, especially in Provence. A vigorous and warm late-budding grape variety, Mourvèdre produces a powerful, colourful and tannic wine. It provides wines with beautiful aromas with notes of stewed fruit, leather or animals. The intensity and quality of its aromas increase with ageing. It adds complexity and good ageing potential to wines dominated by the Syrah-Grenache blend. It is one of the so-called “complementary” grape varieties of the appellation, together with Syrah. Together they should represent at least 20% of the grape variety.
Grenache Noir
Main grape variety in the Vacqueyras appellation. This grape variety of Spanish origin has been imported as early as the middle ages in the Languedoc, the Rhone Valley and Provence. Grenache produces fleshy, deep wines with fairly dense tannins and aromas of very ripe red fruit, reflecting the sunny side of the region. Grenache is at the heart of “sunny” red wines, full-bodied and warm, with a generous roundness. The proportion of Grenache Noir grape varieties in the Vacqueyras appellation should be greater than or equal to 50%.
Syrah
The origin of this grape variety is no longer disputed. Recent analyses have shown that Syrah is a natural cross between Mondeuse Blanche (a grape variety from Savoy) and Dureza, an old variety native to the Ardèche. It is an expressive grape variety with a beautiful aromatic richness and a strong colour intensity. Syrah expresses fruity, floral and spicy scents. It is one of the so-called “complementary” grape varieties of the appellation along with Mourvèdre. Together they should represent at least 20% of the grape variety.