Cotes du Luberon

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
An overview of the individual appellations in the Rhône wine-growing region. Zoom A shows the appellations in the south of Avignon and Zoom B shows the wine-growing regions near Lyon . The appellation Côtes du Luberon is shown in Zoom A.

Côtes du Luberon is a wine-growing region in the southern section of the Rhône wine-growing region . The appellation , which has had the status of an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC for short) since February 26, 1988 , is named after the region of the Luberon . The vineyards cover almost 4,000 hectares of vineyards and are located in 36 municipalities on the orographic left bank of the Rhone , but a few kilometers inland. The area extends within the departments of Vaucluse between Cavaillon in the west and Manosque in the east. Only slopes with a limestone floor are permitted. The average harvest is 170,000 hectoliters / year.

history

The area has been around since 120 BC. Occupied by the Romans, who quickly began to plant vineyards. But it was only with the interest of the large monasteries in the Middle Ages that the monks revived the quality efforts in viticulture. The region of the Côtes du Luberon also benefited from the presence of the Popes in Avignon ( Avignon Papacy ) from 1309 . The vineyards became so large that in 1369 new vineyards were prohibited for 20 years.

When the system of appellations was introduced in France in the 1930s, an interest group was set up in the Côtes du Luberon region to promote wine quality. The wine-growing region was declared a Vin Délimité de Qualité Supérieure ( VDQS ) on December 20, 1951 and an appellation on February 27, 1988.

Wine and grape varieties

The red wine , which makes up 65% of the wines brought in, is made from the main grape varieties Grenache , Syrah (the share of the first two types has been at least 60% since 1995), Mourvèdre , Carignan and Cinsault . In addition, up to a maximum of 10% of the minor varieties Counoise Noir , Piquepoul Noir , Gamay and Pinot Noir are permitted. The secondary varieties are only allowed for a few years, as the vineyards are cleared of these varieties and replaced by the main varieties. The red wines are usually garnet red, not too heavy, fruity and fragrant. Good wineries, such as Château de L'Isolette or Château Val Joanis, however, bring very substantial wines onto the market.

The same mix of grape varieties applies to the rosé wine .

The white wine contains the main types Grenache Blanc , Clairette Blanche , Bourboulenc , Ugni Blanc and Vermentino (here called "Rolle"). The share of Ugni Blanc has been limited to max. 50% fixed. Roussanne and Marsanne blanche are allowed as secondary varieties . The proportion of secondary varieties may total max. 20%.

The proportion of white wines is around 25% in this appellation compared to the surrounding appellation such as. B. Côtes du Ventoux or Côtes du Rhône comparatively high, as the climate is a little cooler here.

The yield limit is generally 50  hectoliters / hectare. The wines must have a minimum alcohol content of 11 percent by  volume .

The 36 approved municipalities

Ansouis , Apt , La Bastide-des-Jourdans , La Bastidonne , Beaumont-de-Pertuis , Bonnieux , Cabrières-d'Aigues , Cadenet , Castellet-en-Luberon , Cheval-Blanc , Cucuron , Goult , Grambois , Lacoste , Lauris , Lourmarin , Maubec , Ménerbes , Mérindol , Mirabeau , La Motte-d'Aigues , Oppède , Pertuis , Peypin-d'Aigues , Puget , Puyvert , Robion , Saignon , Saint-Martin-de-Castillon , Saint-Martin-de-la -Brasque , Sannes , Les Taillades , La Tour-d'Aigues , Vaugines , Villelaure and Vitrolles .

literature

Web links