From the 2023 vintage, we will have the pleasure of presenting a white Gigondas. Indeed, the committee of the Institut National de l’Origine et de la Qualité (INAO) has accepted the request to extend the AOC Gigondas to white wines. This is a great victory for the winegrowers of the appellation, who have seen their long work rewarded. 11 years of work led by a group of winegrowers, including Pierre Amadieu, to carry out experiments and put together a file to submit the project to the INAO.
This request had already been made in 1971, at the time of the accession of Gigondas to the status of Cru de la Vallée du Rhône. Unfortunately, the white wines of Gigondas had been rejected because of rivalry with the wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Many of the vines, then planted with white grape varieties, were later uprooted and switched to red grape varieties.
In our Romane Machotte vineyard, we have kept the Clairette blanche vines planted in the 1950s by our grandfather. The quality of the wines produced left no doubt about the greatness of this high altitude terroir for white wines. With its aromas of white fruits and white flowers, it surprises by its finesse and freshness. Even though it is “just” a Côtes-du-Rhône, we are still keen to promote our Domaine Grand Romane white as being from our Gigondas terroirs. It is therefore a great recognition of the work done.
Today, 16 hectares are planted with white grape varieties in the appellation, including 6 hectares in our Romane Machotte vineyard, mostly Clairette blanche, which is the main grape variety in the future specifications. It is particularly well adapted to the terroir of our region as it originates from it. It can be vinified on its own or in a blend (minimum 70%) with other traditional Rhone Valley grape varieties already present in Gigondas: Bourboulenc, Clairette rose, Grenache white and grey, Marsanne white, Piquepoul white and Roussanne. Viognier and Ugni blanc can also be included in the blend as accessory grape varieties up to a maximum of 5% of the total.
In addition, there is a real dynamic to develop the white Gigondas appellation. The surface area of white grape varieties should increase in the next few years. Last year, we ourselves planted a new plot of 1 hectare near the village, in Clairette blanche.
This augurs well for the future of white Gigondas!
The press talks about the "future" white Gigondas
The work on the whites will perhaps contribute to the creation of the white Gigondas appellation.
CDR DOMAINE GRAND ROMANE BLANC 2011 16/20
The clairette illustrates itself with a rare diversity: nougat and dry grass. Salinity and noble bitterness make it a first-class white wine! The table is very fond of it.
CDR DOMAINE GRAND ROMANE BLANC 2014 14/20
Note de cédrat confit, corps svelte, allonge minérale et tonique. Longueur saline.
CDR DOMAINE GRAND ROMANE BLANC 2010 14.5/20
Smoked by its ageing and then iodized, a gastronomic wine and a perfect example of the greatness of the Gigondas terroir.
