AOC Costières de Nîmes

Climate: Mediterranean under the influence of sea breezes and Mistral

Soils: Sandy / Limestone / Clay / Rocky / Pebbles

Website appellation: https://www.costieres-nimes.org/ 

Production surface area in 2023: 2 702 HA

Total production in 2023: 140 868 HL

Average annual yeld: 52 HL/HA

Export: 30%

Recognition in AOC by the I.N.A.O.: 1986

• Grenache blanc,
• Grenache noir,
• Marsanne,
• Mourvèdre,
• Roussanne,
• Syrah

• Bourboulenc, 
• Carignan, 
• Cinsault, 
• Clairette, 
• Macabeu, 
• Marselan, 
• Rolle (Vermentino), 
• Viognier

Specifications for the appellation

Vines have been grown in Costières de Nîmes since ancient times. In 31 BC, Roman legionaries returning victorious from the Egyptian campaign, settled in Nîmes. The palm and crocodile, emblem of both the town and appellation, symbolise Egypt’s surrender to Rome at the Battle of Actium. In 280, Cassius Severanius, Governor of Narbonne, gave orders to replant the vineyards.

In the Middle Ages, the Abbey of Saint Gilles du Gard became the Languedoc Commanderie for Knights Hospitaller of the Order of St John of Jerusalem; this was when viticulture really began to develop. In the 14th century, wines from St Gilles, Nîmes and the Costière were among the most popular at the Papal Court in Avignon.

In the 17th century, the construction of the Canal du Midi was a boon for winemaking, linking the Rhône to Sète. In 1955, Philippe Lamour built the Canal du Bas Rhône Languedoc, channelling water from the Rhône stowards the south of Gard and the east of Hérault.. He became an authority on viticulture in the Gard, advocating improvements in quality. He was appointed President of the Syndicat des Costières du Gard (VDQS since 1950), and subsequently of the body overseeing Vins Délimités de Qualité Supérieur. Costières du Gard was officially recognised by INAO in 1986, and changed its name in 1989 to Costières de Nîmes.

The climate is Mediterranean, characterised by a period of semi-drought from June to the end of August. The marine influences of the Mediterranean introduce cooler air. Rainfall is infrequent, and the Mistral wind has a naturally cleansing effect.

The Costières de Nîmes terroir is made up largely of pebbles deposited by the Rhône and Durance rivers in the Quaternary. These are known locally as Grès. They present a layer between 5 and 15 metres deep, surrounded by sand of varying colour, from pale yellow to dark red. The vines send down very deep roots to reach layers of clay which provide a moderate but regular supply of moisture, even during periods of drought.
The pebble soils drain freely, quickly shedding any surplus water even after heavy rain. In summer, sea breezes blowing across the hot mass formed by these pebbles increases the diurnal range of temperature, preserving freshness and purity in the grapes.

The vineyards span 40km between the lowland plain of the Petit Rhône and the marshlands of the Petite Camargue, bordered to the north by the valley of the Gardon.

For reds and rosés, Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre are the main varieties, representing at least 50% of the blends and supplemented by Carignan, Cinsault and Marselan. Rosé blends may include the white varieties of the appellation as well. 
The red blends have an assertive character, driven by ripe black fruit, a smooth tannic structure and a fresh finish. 
Whites can be vibrant and expressive, mellowing with age to give complex, rounded wines. Grenache blanc, Roussanne and Marsanne are the key white varietals, and may be supplemented with auxiliary varietals Bourboulenc, Clairette, Rolle (Vermentino) and Viognier.