AOC Côtes du Rhône Villages Gadagne
Gadagne is a song of stones and wind. The vines force their way through deep beds of galets roulés, the rounded ‘pudding stones’ made famous by Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but found all over the Southern Rhône. Plucky Gadagne is due south of its celebrated neighbour, and it’s the most southerly of all the Named Villages.
The appellation is restricted for the stoniest vineyards, and only red wines are allowed. Avignon is just a 20-minute drive away, and during the Avignon Papacy of the 14th century, the popes that lived there soon recognised the quality of these soils. Weathered stone pillars indicating their ownership can still be found in the vineyards.
These are big, brawny, muscular wines drawn from a gaggle of local grapes. Typically for the Southern Rhône the main variety is Grenache, but over a dozen varieties can be found planted here, contributing complexity, detail and a unique sense of place. After Syrah and Mourvèdre, Carignan and Cinsault are particularly plentiful. These sunwarmed stones, whipped by the boisterous mistral wind, produce concentrated, deeply Provençal wines.
Informations
Climate: Mediterranean with sometimes high winds
Soils: Sandy / Clay / Rocky
Altitude: average of 115 metres.
Website appellation : https://www.cotesdurhone.com/
Key figures
Production surface area in 2023: 108 HA
Total production in 2023: 3 809 HL
Average annual yeld: 35 HL/HA
Year of recognition within the AOC Côtes du Rhône Villages: 2012
Communes : Caumont-sur-Durance, Châteauneuf-de-Gadagne, Morières-lès-Avignon, Saint-Saturnin-lès-Avignon and Vedène.
Grape varieties
Main grape varieties
- Grenache noir,
- Mourvèdre,
- Syrah
Secondary grape varieties
- Bourboulenc,
- Brun argenté (locally known as Camarèse or Vaccarèse),
- Carignan,
- Carignan blanc,
- Cinsault,
- Clairette,
- Clairette rose,
- Counoise,
- Floréal,
- Grenache blanc,
- Grenache gris,
- Marsanne,
- Muscardin,
- Piquepoul blanc,
- Piquepoul noir,
- Rolle (or Vermentino),
- Roussanne,
- Terret noir,
- Ugni blanc,
- Vidoc,
- Viognier
To know
History
The first evidence that a vineyard existed in Châteauneuf-de-Gadagne dates back to the year 500 AD; the first wine sales were recorded as early as the 15th century. We also know that from 1575, a special parliament met annually to decide on the starting date for harvest: evidence that even in the Middle Ages, quality was an overriding concern for Gadagne’s winemakers. On the west side of the hill, the borders of the erstwhile Papal territory also set the boundary for this superb terroir. In the mid-1980s, an experimental vineyard was established with the aim of improving quality further still. By grouping together all the AOC-authorised varietals, this experimental area allowed growers to observe the various facets of Côtes du Rhône appellation wines, and work towards achieving the best possible quality. In recognition of their improved quality, Gadagne wines were awarded AOC Côtes du Rhône status in 1937, followed by AOC Côtes du Rhône Villages in 1997, and finally AOC Côtes du Rhône Villages Gadagne in 2012. There are 7 producer-distributors in the area – one cooperative cellar and 6 private wineries.
Climate
The climate is typically Mediterranean, with occasional violent winds, irregular rainfall and hot, dry summers.
Soils
The vineyards lie on a long plateau of rounded cobbles, with an average altitude of 115 metres.
Geography
Châteauneuf-de-Gadagne is a small hilltop village on the left bank of the Rhône, built in the shape of a natural amphitheatre, just a few kilometres from Avignon, capital of the Côtes du Rhône. The Gadagne vineyards span 5 communes in Vaucluse: Caumont-sur-Durance, Châteauneuf-de-Gadagne, Morières-lès-Avignon, Saint-Saturnin-lès-Avignon and Vedène.
Varieties and flavours
Gadagne wines are available only in red, and are made from Grenache blended with Syrah and Mourvèdre. All show an appealing ruby-red colour with gleaming highlights of varying intensity, and have scents of leather and garrigue herbs. Flavours of liquorice and pepper are more pronounced in some years than others, but spice is a constant feature.
Associated appellations
