The wine region of Beaumes-de-Venise is located in the region of Rhône méridional of Rhone Valley of France. Wineries and vineyards like the Domaine Balma Vénitia or the Domaine de Durban produce mainly wines red, white and natural sweet. The most planted grape varieties in the region of Beaumes-de-Venise are Mourvèdre, Counoise and Viognier, they are then used in wines in blends or as a single variety. On the nose of Beaumes-de-Venise often reveals types of flavors of cherry, lime or raisin and sometimes also flavors of caramel, honeysuckle or pear.
In the mouth of Beaumes-de-Venise is a powerful with a nice balance between acidity and tannins. We currently count 101 estates and châteaux in the of Beaumes-de-Venise, producing 194 different wines in conventional, organic and biodynamic agriculture. The wines of Beaumes-de-Venise go well with generally quite well with dishes of pork, rich fish (salmon, tuna etc) or mature and hard cheese.
At a national committee meeting held on Thursday 8th September, members of the Institut National de l’Origine et de la Qualité (INAO) voted unanimously to ratify the change to the appellation guidelines to allow white wines into AP Gigondas. A working group of growers and négociants has been pursuing the amendment for 11 years. The amendment states that white Gigondas must contain a minimum 70% Clairette. Other permitted varieties include Bourboulenc, Clairette Rose, Grenache Gris, Grenache Blan ...
It’s easy to forget that the southern Rhône’s four most prevalent red varieties aren’t indigenous. Grenache, Carignan and Mourvèdre all appear to originate from Spain; Syrah made its way down the river from the northern Rhône. Of the long tail of other grapes, most have their roots closer to home. Plantings have dwindled in recent years, but today local varieties are experiencing renewed interest. One that’s finding a lot of fans – both in the Rhône and further afield – is Counoise. Scroll down ...
Onwards, upwards. The roads get narrower, the corners get tighter. I step out of the car when I finally reach the winery and the air is so much fresher here. I go to take a sip from my water bottle and a gust of wind makes it whistle. I stand with Thomas Jullien and we look over the vineyards. It’s not yet spring, and the vines look little more than sticks. ‘It’s a lunar landscape at the moment,’ he says, as a friend’s flock of 300 sheep has just passed through to graze on every scrap of green b ...
