AOC Côtes du Rhône Villages Laudun
Today, most Côtes du Rhône Villages wines are red and made on the east bank of the Rhône. But go back 300 years, and it was the west bank that was better known – and their white wines were held in particularly high regard. They were even served in the royal courts of King Henry IV and King Louis XII.
Laudun, at the heart of the west bank, still makes highly sought-after white wines.
About 30% of its production is white in fact, while the average for Named Villages is just 6%. Its sandier soils give a freshness and focus which makes for a refreshingly white Rhône. Like all over the Southern Rhône, they love to blend here, playing with grapes like Grenache blanc, Clairette, Roussanne and Viognier to strike the perfect balance.
Laudun is one of the most sizeable Named Villages, with vineyards blanketing the valley of the Tave, a watercourse that crosses the appellation area before joining the Rhône. The stonier soils of the valley floor bring roundness to their red wines, with plenty of Syrah bringing spice and texture to the plump Grenache. Vines scramble up the surrounding hills, and nestle in wooded glades where they can find coolness and shade.
Tastes and trends change over the centuries, but Laudun is still making whites – and reds – that are fit for a king.
Informations
Climate: Mediterranean influenced by Mistral wind
Soils: Sandy / Clay / Rocky
Website appellation: http://www.vin-laudun.fr/fr/
Key figures
Production surface area in 2023: 591 HA
Total production in 2023: 22 390 HL
Average annual yeld: 38 HL/HA
Year of recognition within the AOC Côtes du Rhône Villages: 1951
Communes : Laudun, Saint-Victor-la-Coste and Tresques
Grape varieties
Main grape varieties
- Bourboulenc,
- Clairette,
- Grenache blanc,
- Grenache noir,
- Marsanne,
- Mourvèdre,
- Roussanne,
- Syrah,
- Viognier
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 history of Laudun stretches back to Roman times, as evidenced by the Camp de César, a major archaeological site lying on a vast fortified plateau.
This was the Romans’ vantage point, from where they could observe the Rhône, the region’s most important thoroughfare. Historians believe that vines were first planted on the Laudun hillsides around this time. The wines of Laudun grew in popularity, particularly in the 17th century.
Along with Chusclan, Laudun is part of the Côte du Rhône Gardoise winemaking community. In 1967, Laudun officially became a Côtes du Rhône Villages authorised to feature its village name.
Climate
Mediterranean. Influenced by the Mistral wind.
Soils
The vines are planted in light sandy soils, or stony soils with limestone scree or rounded cobbles, producing high-quality red wines.
Geography
The appellation area extends across the communes of Laudun, Saint Victor-la-Coste and Tresques in the Gard département.
Varieties and flavours
Laudun’s red wines are supple and elegant, combining the power and full body of Grenache with the floral fragrances of Syrah and the aromatic potential of Mourvèdre. These flavourful wines can be enjoyed young, but also have good ageing potential.
Laudun rosés are extremely pleasing, and are also made with a dominant blend of Grenache noir, Syrah and/or Mourvèdre. Cinsault adds smoothness and elegance. Rosés should be chilled, and enjoyed young. Whites are made predominantly of Grenache blanc and Clairette blanche, with the addition of Roussanne and Viognier, which also grow well here and are notable for their elegance and fruity flavours. Whites should be enjoyed within their first few years.
Associated appellations
