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Gigondas AOC 

Gigondas is a French wine Appellation d'Origine Controlee (AOC) in the southern Rhone wine region of France. It is primarily a red wine region, with a very small amount of rosé wine produced. No white wines carry the Gigondas appellation. Considered a little brother to Chateauneuf-du-Pape, the wine is moderately prestigious and can age well when treated with care. Gigondas AOC wine is produced exclusively in the commune of Gigondas, in Vaucluse.

The name of the appellation is of Roman origin. Jocunditas means great pleasure and enjoyment in Latin with the town being founded as a recreational site for the soldiers from the Roman Second Legion. The finding of a Bacchus-head indicates that wine was already grown at this time. Later the fields went to the church and later still, one finds the Prince of Orange to be a large land owner in the area. As early as 1894 the wines from the region won a gold medal at the agricultural fair in Paris. But until the beginning of World War II, the wines were used as reinforcement to thin Burgundies. In 1956, a bitter winter caused the production of wine to experience a renaissance, as the olive trees had died from the cold. In 1971 the appellation left the other Cotes du Rhone-Villages behind, and became a proper appellation in its own right.

Gigondas, along with the rest of Southern Rhône has a Mediterranean climate that differs from its northern neighbour, which has a more continental climate. The main geographical feature in Gigondas is the Dentelles de Montmirail, a small range of mountains that divide the appellation into two distinct areas – one with a cooler climate and one with a hotter. But elevation is also an important factor, as wine is being harvested as high as 600 meters.

In 1592, white wine from Gigondas is mentioned. However, no white wine is produced today. The appellation is growing red grapes only, and mostly making only red wine, though some rosé is also produced. According to the INAO, Gigondas Rouge is to be made from a maximum 80% Grenache, a minimum 15% Syrah and/or Mourvedre, and a maximum 10% from the other Rhône varietals, minus Carignan.[4] The greatest Gigondas’ can be kept for 10 years or more in the cellar and usually benefits from at least three years in the cellar. Being primarily Grenache does, however, mean that the lesser wines are not recommended for extended bottle aging.

Gigondas is known for its power rather than its elegance. Some parts of the appellation are warmer than Châteauneuf-du-Pape, bringing the generous Grenache grape close to fortified strength in alcohol. While some rosé wine is produced, the appellation draws its prestige from its reds.

這裡出品的葡萄酒主要以紅葡萄酒為主，佔據總產量的99%，法律允許使用在Rhone Valley法定產區授權的所有紅葡萄品種，但在調配比例上也有一定規範，這裡歌海娜（Grenache）的使用比率最高為80%，西拉（Syrah）和慕合懷特（Mourvedre）最少占比15%，另外的部分可以用其他授權葡萄品種補齊，法定法律要求最低酒精度為12.5％。這裡的紅葡萄酒風味集中、平衡、精細，酒款香氣豐富、細膩，展現出野生櫻桃、草莓的紅色水果和成熟的黑莓、黑醋栗、黑莓一般的黑果香氣，經過一定時間的陳年還會湧現出森林地表和松露氣息。酒款在口中的表現更加豐富，飽滿的酒體，呈現出一些烤肉氣息；因為土壤的因素，不同地塊上出品的葡萄酒也有其獨特的風味，也可以從Gigondas找到更加成熟風格，噴湧著李子幹和無花果香氣的葡萄酒，另外也能找到一些風格精緻帶有白胡椒、百里香或甘草香氣的葡萄酒。

另外這裡也出品極少量的桃紅葡萄酒，約占總產量的1%，對於桃紅葡萄酒葡萄品種的使用，產區規定相對寬泛，最多80%歌海娜，其他授權葡萄品種占比最多25%。這裡的桃紅葡萄酒相對風格新鮮，一般為幹型，呈現出鮮美的紅果及香料香味。