IGP Cévennes wines awarded at the Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge

I.G.P.

The Cévennes IGP covers the Gard department, on the foothills of the Cévennes mountains, with a recent extension into several communes of Lozère. The vineyard lies across a hilly landscape shaped by rivers flowing down from the massif, where terraced vines grow alongside olive trees, chestnut groves and orchards, in contrast to the vine monoculture typical of the Languedoc plains. Soils are varied: schist, granite and gneiss on the higher slopes, and clay-limestone, sandy or stony soils on the lower hillsides. The Mediterranean climate, tempered by altitude, brings hot, dry summers and mild winters, while cool nights help preserve freshness in the grapes. Rainfall, higher than on the plains, is concentrated in spring and autumn. The vineyard combines traditional Mediterranean varieties — carignan, grenache and cinsault — with more widely grown varieties such as merlot, cabernet sauvignon, syrah, chardonnay, sauvignon and viognier.

The wines of this appellation

Cévennes produces mainly still red, rosé and white wines. Reds, made from carignan, grenache, cinsault, merlot, cabernet sauvignon or syrah, either as single varietals or blends, show a deep colour and firm tannic structure, with aromas leaning toward dark fruit and spice; their style ranges from supple wines meant to be drunk young to fuller-bodied wines capable of a few years' ageing. Rosés, vinified for freshness, offer red-fruit aromas and a lively palate. Whites, based on chardonnay, sauvignon or viognier, stand out for their aromatic finesse and crisp finish. Reds pair well with grilled meats, game and matured cheeses, while rosés and whites suit Mediterranean cuisine, fish and summer vegetable dishes.