Domaine Pélaquié Côtes du Rhône 2022

Domaine Pélaquié is a family estate located in Saint-Victor-la-Coste, a village in the Gard département on the right bank of the Rhône River. The property has remained in the same family since the 16th century, passed down from father to son across multiple generations. Today, Luc Pélaquié manages the domaine, balancing respect for ancestral traditions with modern winemaking techniques.

The estate spans 100 hectares of vines spread across several southern Rhône appellations: Côtes du Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages Laudun, Lirac, and Tavel. The vineyards face Avignon from the western side of the river, benefiting from a Mediterranean climate marked by abundant sunshine and the cooling influence of the Mistral wind. Soils vary across the holdings but are characterized by sand, clay, limestone, and the rounded river stones (galets roulés) typical of the region.

The terroir around Laudun sets Domaine Pélaquié apart from many southern Rhône estates. Lighter, sandier soils and a cooler microclimate produce wines with more pronounced acidity and a floral character not commonly found in neighboring zones. These conditions also favor varieties like Syrah and Viognier, which typically thrive further north in the Rhône Valley.

Luc Pélaquié practices sustainable viticulture certified by Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE), France's highest level of environmental certification for farms. The domaine cultivates around ten grape varieties, including Grenache Noir, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache Blanc, Clairette, and Viognier. In the cellar, the team produces reds, whites, and rosés, including the renowned dry rosé from Tavel—an appellation dedicated exclusively to pink wine.

Domaine Pélaquié wines consistently deliver quality and value, making them favorites at Parisian brasseries and among serious Rhône enthusiasts alike.

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Côtes du Rhône is one of France's largest wine appellations. It stretches along the Rhône River from Vienne in the north to Avignon in the south. The appellation was officially created in 1937. Today it covers approximately 40,000 hectares across six departments: Rhône, Loire, Ardèche, Drôme, Gard, and Vaucluse.

The region divides into two distinct zones. The Northern Rhône runs from Vienne to Valence with steep, terraced vineyards on granite and schist soils. The Southern Rhône spreads across a wider valley from Montélimar to Avignon. Mediterranean climate dominates the south with hot, dry summers and the powerful mistral wind.

Red wines account for roughly 90% of Côtes du Rhône production. Grenache must comprise at least 40% of red blends. Syrah and Mourvèdre typically complete the blend. Other permitted varieties include Cinsault, Carignan, and Counoise. White wines use Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Marsanne, Roussanne, Bourboulenc, and Viognier.

Soils vary considerably across the appellation. The Southern Rhône features clay, limestone, sand, and the famous galets roulés—large rounded stones deposited by the ancient Rhône River. These stones retain heat during the day and release it at night. The Massif d'Uchaux sits northwest of Orange on a plateau of chalky limestone and gravelly loam at higher elevations.

Côtes du Rhône wines offer approachable expressions of Southern Rhône character. Reds typically show ripe red and black fruit, garrigue herbs, and peppery spice. The appellation provides a gateway to understanding the region's terroir without the price of crus like Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Many top producers in named villages also bottle Côtes du Rhône from younger vines or declassified fruit, delivering quality well above the appellation's modest reputation.