Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/833814
54 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } JUNE/JULY 2017 Since being granted AOC status in 1937, the Côtes du Rhône family has constantly been expanding and reclassifying rankings when necessary and merited. Three appellations have recently been admitted to the Côtes du Rhône family— Côtes du Rhône Villages Sainte-Cécile, Côtes du Rhône Villages Suze-la-Rousse and Côtes du Rhône Villages Vaison la Romaine—and will move forward under this new status starting with the 2016 harvest. { cover story } Information courtesy of the Inter-Rhône Press Service Côtes du Rhône Villages Sainte-Cécile 1,388 hectares (3,430 acres) in total The Côtes du Rhône Villages Sainte-Cécile appellation has three cooperatives and 15 individual wineries, all of which comply with strict quality parameters introduced many years ago. Similarly to other southern Côtes du Rhône appellations, CDRV Sainte- Cécile is notable for the pre - dominance of Grenache (68% of planted area). Syrah follows with 14%, Mourvèdre with 8%, and then finally Carignan and Cinsault. The appellation includes five communes and boasts a variety of terroirs. Toward the north, the soil is made up of clay and limestone, while further south, vines grow in rounded limestone pebbles on a bed of sandy clay. Côtes du Rhône Villages Suze-la-Rousse 2,000 hectares (4,942 acres) in total Already widely known for its Wine University, the Côtes du Rhône Villages Suze-la-Rousse appellation is set amid olive groves and truffle oaks—a typically charming Drôme Provençale landscape. Soils are very diverse, some stony with rounded pebbles, others com - prising chalky clay, but the main varieties Grenache (60%), Syrah (20%) and Carignan (12%) all flourish here. Côtes du Rhône Villages Vaison la Romaine 649 hectares (1,604 acres) in total The appellation lies on the geological massif of Rasteau, Cairanne and Roaix, leading right up to the gates of Valréas, and is set among the area's olive groves. Vineyards here are all planted on sloping ground, an average of 240 and 280 meters (787 to 919 feet) above sea level. The chalky clay soil is made up largely of sandstone and pebbles. The six cooperatives and dozen or so private wineries use traditional southern Côtes du Rhône varieties Grenache (70%) and Syrah (30%), both of which are highly aromatic, showing the full potential of this area, without forgetting Mourvèdre. And a Cru for Cairanne 956 hectares (2,362 acres) in total Located in the heart of Haut Vaucluse, Cairanne has shown enormous drive and potential since it was first entitled to add its name to the bottles of Côtes du Rhône in 1953 and was elevated to Côtes du Rhône Villages sta - tus in 1967. After submitting an application to the INAO in 2008 requesting promotion, Cairanne was awarded Cru status to begin with the 2015 vintage. Grenache accounts for 60% of the total AOC surface area, Syrah for 16%, Carignan for 15% and Mourvèdre for 6%. White wines account for 5% of appellation production; these are made from Grenache, Clairette, Roussanne, Marsanne, Bourboulenc and Viognier. Clairette and Roussane grapes when blended together give wines with a nose of white flow - ers and a fruit-filled, mineral- tinged palate. The combination of the broad varietal mix and the Cairanne terroir produces a range of rich, complex wines. PHOTO: CHRISTOPHE GRILHÉ INTRODUCING NEW ADDITIONS (AND CHANGES) TO THE CÔTES DU RHÔNE VILLAGES FAMILY It Takes a Village e village of Cairanne was awarded Cru status to begin with the 2015 vintage.