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Grenache southern Rhône

Gigondas embraces Clairette and Cinsault

Alistair Cooper
Alistair Cooper MW

The scenic source of some of the southern Rhône’s most elegant reds celebrates its half-century with some significant changes.

Monday, 25 July 2022
Dentelles de Montmirail with Gigondas vineyards

Denominated as a cru in 1971, AOC Gigondas officially marked its 50th anniversary in 2021. It was the fourth appellation to reach cru status in the southern Rhône following Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Tavel and Lirac.

A host of activities and celebrations were planned for last year, yet all were delayed until 2022 due to the pandemic. As Louis Barruol, owner of Ch St-Cosme and president of AOC Gigondas, commented, ‘If we had to cancel another year or two we would have done! There...