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RHONE VALLEY<br />
TRAVEL<br />
appellations have different geographical characteristics<br />
and micro- climates. This is mainly due<br />
to the Cévennes mountains to the North of Lirac,<br />
which trigger more rainfall, and to a ‘Rhone bankside<br />
effect’ which means that Lirac gets more<br />
dampness from the Rhone than Châteauneufdu-Pape<br />
when the Mistral blows – Lirac is located<br />
downwind of the Rhone. “The unique site-expressiveness<br />
of the wines in the two appellations<br />
is therefore intrinsically linked to the difference<br />
in evapotranspiration of the vines. Châteauneuf<br />
wines therefore express more savouriness (more<br />
concentrated mineral salts), which is what lends<br />
them their structure, their mineral backbone,<br />
their length on the palate, and substantial ageability”.<br />
Xavier Vignon excels in the art of maturing<br />
and blending wines, which offer a faithful<br />
rendition of their terroir. Careful tasting is a<br />
very practical way of translating the explanation<br />
provided above.<br />
Extreme real estate pressure in Châteauneufdu-Pape<br />
has prompted many winegrowers and<br />
trading companies to gradually move into the<br />
neighbouring appellations of Lirac and Tavel.<br />
This is particularly true of Ogier which produces<br />
wines in numerous Rhone appellations. Its technical<br />
director Édouard Guerin reveals through his<br />
wines the specific identity of each vineyard site<br />
with his ‘crus’: “Our aim is not to produce a ‘lesser’<br />
Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the Lirac appellation, but<br />
rather to bring out the essence of its identity by<br />
focusing on the fawn-sand soils in the East of the<br />
appellation. These are very deep sandy Miocene<br />
soils, generating low water stress and fine, delicate<br />
characters in the wines. They are also cooler<br />
soils and by carefully choosing harvest dates that<br />
balance freshness and ripeness with razor-sharp<br />
precision, crisp wines with an elegant persona,<br />
gifted with very fine-grain tannins and great<br />
palatability, can be produced. The Lirac Le Petit<br />
Prince label therefore has its own personality, and<br />
sits easily within a coherent range, without being<br />
overshadowed by its prestigious stable mate.<br />
XAVIER VIGNON EXCELS IN THE ART OF BLENDING. HIS ARCANES RANGE OF<br />
POP-UP LABELS EXPRESSES THE QUINTESSENTIAL QUALITIES OF<br />
A VINEYARD SITE IN A GIVEN VINTAGE<br />
ÉDOUARD GUERIN, TECHNICAL DIRECTOR OF MAISON OGIER,<br />
PRODUCES ELEGANT WINES BY SEEKING OUT THE RIGHT<br />
BALANCE BETWEEN <strong>FR</strong>ESHNESS AND RIPENESS<br />
WINTER 2022 • GILBERT & GAILLARD - THE <strong>FR</strong>ENCH EXPERTS ON WINE<br />
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