AOC Luberon wines awarded at the Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge

A.O.C./A.O.P.

The Luberon appellation covers 36 communes in the Vaucluse department, entirely located within the Luberon Regional Natural Park, which holds UNESCO biosphere reserve status. The vineyards lie between 200 and 550 metres in altitude, among the highest in the southern Rhône Valley. The area is bordered to the north by the Calavon river, which separates it from the Ventoux appellation, and to the south by the Durance river. Soils combine Miocene sands, red clays and limestone scree. The Mediterranean climate is tempered by the Luberon massif and by Alpine influences, bringing cool nights that contrast with the strong Provençal sunshine. Permitted grape varieties for red and rosé wines are syrah, grenache, mourvèdre, cinsault, carignan, counoise and marselan; for white wines, vermentino, grenache blanc, clairette, roussanne, bourboulenc, ugni blanc, marsanne and viognier.

The wines of this appellation

Luberon produces red, rosé and white wines, with rosé accounting for the largest share of production. The reds, deep in colour, show aromas of dark fruit such as blackcurrant and red fruit such as raspberry, along with spice and occasionally light toasted notes; the palate is full-bodied with silky tannins that gain complexity after three to five years of cellaring. The rosés, pale pink with cherry tints, stand out for their freshness and immediate fruitiness, and are best enjoyed within their first two years. The whites offer floral and citrus aromas, with a palate balanced between liveliness and roundness, and can be kept for around three years. The reds pair with lamb, red meats and charcuterie, the rosés suit aperitifs and grilled dishes, while the whites go well with fish and shellfish.