2007 Domaine Charvin Vin De Pays de la Principaute d'Orange A Cote

Domaine Charvin’s most important vineyards are in the Chateauneuf-du-Pape appellation of the Rhone Valley, in France. The 56-acre estate is owned and operated by the sixth generation of the Charvin family, which founded the estate in 1851. Until 1990 all the wine produced went to brokers. But stating with the 1990 vintage the estate began bottling its own wine. Only about 20 acres of the estate is in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, and the estate produces some 30,000 bottles of its signature wine annually. The blend is typically 80% Grenache with the remainder made up of Syrah, Mourvedre and Vaccarese. Robert M. Parker Jr. has written that Laurent Charvin, who runs the estate with his father Gerard, “may indeed produce the Richebourg of Chateauneuf-du-Pape…”

The Southern Rhône Valley wine region extends from Orange in the north through the communes Lirac and Tavel in the southwest. The French call the region Côtes du Rhône Méridionales and it includes some of the best known appellations in France, such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas. The climate and landscape of the Southern Rhone differ significantly from the Northern Rhone. There are hot, often windy Mediterranean appellations near Nimes and the south, and higher altitude, relatively cool appellations such as Côtes du Ventoux to the east. Understanding the region can be confusing given that there are thirteen appellations and sixteen red and white grapes allowed for wines with appellation status. Syrah is grown here, but it is much less important than in the north. Grenache is the prominent red grape, though most red wines are blends of at least four varietals. Other commonly used red grapes are Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Muscardin. Counoise, Terret Noir, Vaccarèse and Syrah are also permitted. The primary white grapes are Grenache Blanc, Clairette and Bourboulenc, though Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne are permitted, as are Picpoul and Picardin. Of note is the Côtes du Rhone Villages AOC, which is only in the Southern Rhone. Though Côtes du Rhône AOC wine is made in both the north and south, the Villages appellation has stricter requirements for winemaking and is generally considered higher quality than simple Côtes du Rhône. Robert M. Parker Jr. has written that “There is a vast amount of enjoyment to be discovered in the southern Rhône…for these are some of the most sumptuous and pleasure-giving wines produced in the world.”