AOP Valreas

AOP Cotes du Rhone Village Valreas

History

In 1217 the Pope bought the rights of being seigneur of Valreas from a Hubert de Montalba. In the following years 3 neighbouring areas Richerenches, Grillon and Visan also came in possession of the papacy represented by the popes in Avignon and later the bishops of Avignon.

The 4 communes are today included in Canton Valreas. As they are surrounded by communes of Drôme but are belonging to the department Vaucluse they are also called Enclave des Papes. This name has been used to promote the wines from the area but the federation of wine growers from Chateauneuf du Pape has disputed the right to use this name and the court was on their side.
This enclave is surrounded as an island by the department Drôme.

In the commune Valreas live 9.492 inhabitants (2015). The total area is 58 km². The altitude vary from 180 to 530 meters. The village at 276m.

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Cahier des Charges (rules of the appellation)

1937: Cotes du Rhone
1967: Cotes du Rhone Village Valreas.

All three types of wines are included.

The grapes
The percentages mentioned below are referring to the vineyards of the estate - not to the blend of the single wine.

Rouge and Rosé
Grenache must be at least 50%.
Syrah and Mourner must together be at least 20%.
Other grapes allowed for Cotes du Rhone, must not exceed 20%.
White varieties might be used for rosé - as "other grapes".

Blanc
Grenache Blanc, Claudette, Roseanne, Bourboulenc and Viognier must be at least 80%
Other grapes allowed for Cotes du Rhone, must not exceed 20%.

Declared area and yield 2016-2020

Vintage	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020
Hectares	444	497	550	557	495
Hectolitre	17435	17134	18590	20507	17055
Source: Syndicat des Vignerons des Cotes du Rhone

Confrérie des Goutevins de l'Enclave des Papes

Syndicat des Vignerons de Valrèas