Vignerons Ardechois

History

In Ardeche, the culture of the vine is a long history of more than 2000 years, the vestiges of this time are still present in our everyday life, and in particular through the names of villages like that ''Valvignéres ''or'' valley of the Latin vine ''(Vallis Vinaria). Over the centuries agriculture and wine production modelled the landscape and worked our slopes. This is particularly visible on edge of the Cevennes, (Rosiéres, Largentiére), or of the narrow and well exposed terraces, which closely marry the folds of the ground, with sometimes only 4 or 5 lines of vine. A colossal work, which gives to these landscapes a great force and a great authenticity. The history of ardéchoise vine growing is closely related to its relief and to its geology, while going down from the plates of the High Loire towards Gard, you will cross pieces of vines in forests of pines and chestnuts, and more to the south, vines enchased in small combes bordered by holm oaks, olive and almond trees. Come spring, of is in west, of the valley of the Rhone at the department of Lozere, the white flowers of cherry trees, then pink of pêchers accomodate you and light in the valleys of Ardeche, Beaume, and of Chassezac the vineyard which wakes up gently after bragged of the winter. If you already came to southernmost Ardeche, these some sentences are undoubtedly superfluous, because you will have surely noticed that the relief authorizes the culture only on small pieces, this multitude of small fields to the various cultures give to our landscapes a very appreciated authenticity and a diversity of the French and foreign tourists. But let us return at the end of the XIX or the devastations of will phylloxera, then the developments of the industrialization and the mechanization of the medium of the XX radically changed the structure of the exploitations which specialized. This specialization mobilized the producers of each small area for the construction of cellars of wine making and for the structuring of the commercial act. We quickly flew over centuries of history, because the most significant changes of this long wine history were it recently, it A is enough indeed to three generations to pass from an individual production car consumed to a largely exported gathered production, to tear off traditional type of vines and to replant type of vines which produce wines of an excellent quality, to consolidate in spite of the difficulties a local wine production essential to the saving in all our villages, to give development prospects to the vine growing of southernmost Ardeche. Between the Cevennes and Vallée of the Rhone, the department of Ardeche is subjected to two climatic influences: A Mediterranean influence with masses of hot air which go up the Valley of the Rhone until Valence. We have a climate of the Mediterranean type, soft winter, summer dry and hot, irregular rains in summer which can transform itself into storms violent one, let us not forget the mistral, wind prevailing, capricious, significant factor of the climate ardéchois. The vegetation is characteristic of the dry grounds with culture of the lavender, the olive-trees, the fruit trees on the irrigable zones, in the poorest grounds, holm oaks, cane-apple bushes and thorn-bushes will ensure the vegetable cover. A continental influence in the north of Ardeche in edge of the high plateaus, and the buttresses of the Central Solid mass. The winters are often a little more cold there, beautiful a back season supports the full maturity of the grapes, the heat estival climate is moderate during the nights of summer by breezes of the high plateaus. These fresh breezes support the production of elegant and aromatic wines in addition. The vegetation is more exuberant here, the pines, chestnuts and heathers underline the continental climatic influence of the high plateaus. With the climatic borders of two influences enabling him to cultivate a broad type of vine pallet, the wine soil of southernmost Ardeche into sudden also excesses and angers, storms of hails, gel of spring are current currency and return our producers concerned and reserved as for the forecasts of harvest ''As long as the vintage did not return.''.

Images Copyright (c) Vignerons Ardechois.

Surprisingly good red with fine Merlot style, soft, supple and eminently quaffable. [read on...]

£19.80

Viognier originates from the Ardeche region and gives a very beautiful straw-yellow colour. A rich nose of apricot jam and yellow peaches with hints of toasty oak [read on...]

£6.40

A delicious Chardonnay produced from a greatly restricted harvest and selected vineyard parcels and partially matured in oak. It has rich and creamy aromas with a hint of oak and praline. The flavour has traces of honey, acacia flowers and a subtle elegance. [read on...]

£5.80

Harvested Early and at the cool time of the day to preserve freshness and aroma. [read on...]

£19.80

A good sparkle with a golden colour and gentle bubble. Left on its lees to give it extra character and complexity it is medium bodied with fine acidity and fruit. Great value. [read on...]

£8.20

So often Cabernet Sauvignon is blended with other grape varieties but here is a wine that can stand alone and give great pleasure. Bright red garnet in colour, an attractive bouquet of black fruit (cassis, blackberries) with a hint of roasted coffee and full bodied flavour with soft, silky smooth tannins with a brush of chocolate in the mouth. [read on...]

£7.05

The cuvee name derives from leaving the grape juice on the black skins theing the fool of the first jnight to extract the pink colour. Sold in a very attractive frosted bottle, the wine is pale pink salmon in colour. The nose is expressive and fresh in the mouth. Ideal for summer drinking - in quantity! [read on...]

£6.40

This superior 'reserve' rose is produced from grapes grown on a slope that enjoys the influence of the mistral. Like all the Ardeche wines the grapes are from selected vineyard parcels from a restricted harvest. It has a cerise robe with red-violet depth, like the colour of figs, a floral bouquet of red fruits and an elegant subtle flavour with a crisp and fragrant finish. Serve as an aperitif, with barbecues, cold meats and poached salmon. [read on...]

£3.99

Fresh, youthful, fruity dry white which offers great value. [read on...]

£2.99

A soft, dry attractively styled wine with good fruit and good crispness to add balance. [read on...]

£5.95

Syrah (or Shiraz) has become one of the most popular grape varieties among wine enthusiasts. This chestnut was discovered at a recent Ardeche tasting and we immediately ordered most of the limited stock available. Red and black fruits on the nose follow onto the palate to blend mocha and a hint of peppery spice with the added benefit of being really pocket friendly. A wine that offers a lot for your money. [read on...]

£6.95

Soft, round fruity red with a silky character, typical of Merlot. Plummy with a touch of mint and soft rich tannins. [read on...]

£5.65

Two years bottle age has allowed this classis Merlot to develop its considerable early potential to the full. It is now drinking extremely well with a wonderful mulberry and cherry bouquet and rich black fruit and . [read on...]

£6.90

A pocket friendly medium dry sparkler with only 7% alcohol produced from muscat grapes. It has a fresh crisp flavour of lychees, white peaches and a hint of acacia. An excellent aperitif and delicious with desserts, especially fruit salads or chocolate desserts. [read on...]

£11.00

Verstaile, easy drinking dry white with an attractive fruity bouquet and pleasing flavour with a touch of citrus on the finish. [read on...]

£5.95

Made up from 80% Merlot and 20% Gamay this attractive easy drinking red has plenty of black fruits on the nose with soft well integrated tannins. [read on...]

£6.00

A classic blend of the Rhone Valley grape varieties -Grenache and Syrah. Attractive light pink colour, packed with flavours of red fruits and a gentle brush of crispness. Delicious and summery. [read on...]

£19.80

This easy drinking wine has a citrus bouquet with a delicious crisp fruity flavour and a fresh clean finish. [read on...]

£5.25

Produced from a blend of Grenache and Merlot. Medium bodied red with a fruity palate and a smooth red berry finish. Great value. [read on...]

£5.25

This pale pink rose is now firmly established as a great favourite with our customers and this latest vintage will not disappoint. It has fresh aromas of ripe currants and is full bodied with a lively finish. [read on...]

£5.75

A really delicious inexpensive unoaked Chardonnay which is versatile and will appeal to a wide spectrum of palates. Well rounded with flavours of citrus, apricots, peaches. This will go as easily as an aperitif as with food such as white meats with sauces. [read on...]

£6.55

We believe that Viognier will become a 'fashion' grape variety in the future and this is an interesting well priced unoaked example. It has an exotic bouquet with a hint of perfume with nuances of apricots and white flowers on the flavour. Deliciously different and very versatile. ** and Coup de Coeur in Hachette 2011. [read on...]

£7.65

The grapes that make up this delicious dry fruity rose are Grenache (60%) & Syrah (40%) It has bags of red fruit with a hint of spice in the flavour. [read on...]

£5.25