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    Cairanne

    The Southern Rhône is a special place. Winemakers here have been crafting extraordinary wine for millennia and have mastered growing warm-climate grapes.

    There’s no shortage of prestigious appellations in Rhône méridional, including the illustrious Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Vacqueyras, Rasteau and Gigondas and the ever-pleasing Côtes du Rhône. Nonetheless, there are many others worth exploring, including Cairanne.

    Once an appellation at the Côtes du Rhône Villages level, Cairanne has been a stand-alone AOP for over half a decade, and has become a source of delicious red and white wine. There’s immense value in the lesser-known wine region, making Cairanne a favourite among Southern French wine enthusiasts. This is all you need to know about Cairanne and its wines.


    History of Cairanne

    Cairanne is a historical settlement. It was first mentioned in writing almost 1300 years ago, in 739 CE. Records show that the church helped to develop this and neighbouring towns, in an effort that concluded with Pope Clement V moving into the area in 1309.

    Cairanne was one of the most important fortified settlements in the region; it was meant to be home to the Templar Order, and you can still see the stone walls in the old village. The town remained under the protection of the church for centuries, managed by noble families until the French Revolution.

    Grape growers have cultivated the hills and plains around Cairanne for centuries, resulting in reputable wine with character and tradition. Côtes du Rhône AOC was created in 1937, and a second appellation for the area’s best wines was drafted in 1966: Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC. Cairanne was amongst the first towns considered for the renowned appellation. A few decades later, it got its own AOP on 25 June 2018. It is now official; Cairanne has Cru status.

    The Grapes in Cairanne

    Cairanne’s wine laws allow producing red and white wine. However, red wine dominates its output with 94% of the 29,283 hl of wine produced. There are 877 hectares dedicated to grape growing, most of them planted with red Grenache. Producers grow Syrah in colder sub-climates, such as the terraced vineyards near the town, and there’s some Mourvèdre as well, mainly in the warmer plots. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre are all typical and are traditionally blended in well-established percentages to produce wine with a specific profile.

    White grapes include Clairette, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne. However, there are also small plots planted with Bourboulenc, Marsanne, Viognier and Picpoul.

    The Terroir in Cairanne

    Cairanne is located northwest of the Orange, in the Vaucluse department, close to the Enclave des Papes neighbouring the Drome. The area is arid and warm, with limestone and alluvial soils carried by the Aigues River.

    Only grapes adapted to the Mediterranean warmth thrive here, including Grenache and Mourvèdre; however, cooler spots allow for planting Syrah. The yields in Cairanne are low, averaging 33hl/ha, meaning the wine is concentrated and flavourful.

    Geographically, Cairanne stands out for a southern plateau and hills in the north and northwest, along the foothills of Dentelles de Montmirail’s mountain range.

    In short, red grapes ripen beautifully in the area, and there are plenty of sub-climates to produce grapes with varied sweetness and acidity. When blended, the result is wine of spectacular balance and quality.

    Wine Styles in Cairanne

    White Cairanne is light-to-medium-bodied, fruit-forward and floral. The wine must contain 30% Clairette, 20% Grenache Blanc and 20% Roussanne. Winemakers can use other varietals for the rest.

    Clairette has low acidity and sugar but pleasant floral aromatics. Grenache Blanc adds green apple and stone fruit to the blend, while Roussanne is intensely flavourful, often with hints of tea and honey.

    Although Cairanne Blanc is attractive, red Cairanne dominates the appellation’s production. Winemakers must use at least 50% Grenache in their wines, blended with a minimum of 20% Syrah and Mourvèdre. Grenache brings the fruit; Syrah adds the body, and Mourvèdre adds the colour and tannins. Previously labelled as Côtes du Rhône Villages Cairanne. Today, you’ll find the region’s wine as Cairanne AOP.

    Cairanne wines are excellent-value alternatives with a medium-to-full body, intense red and black fruit aromas and spices, elevated acidity, alcohol and a complex bouquet. Enjoy with rustic meat-based stews and casseroles, grilled meat, roasted poultry, tomato-based dishes and aged cheese.

    Cairanne is one of the best mid-priced sources of red wine in the Rhône Valley. When made by quality-minded producers, especially from old-vine fruit, you can expect greatness. These wines will improve for at least a decade, so lay down a couple of bottles for future enjoyment.

    Cairanne Wine Guide
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    • Cairanne: Domaine Des Amadieu Haut de Beauregard White
      Cairanne: Domaine Des Amadieu Haut de Beauregard White
      Biodynamically grown Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, and Viognier offer a wide range of floral and peach aromas. Vinification and aging in oak barrels provide a long and subtle finish.
      £21.60
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    • Domaine des Amadieu Cairanne Vieilles Vignes
      Cairanne: Domaine des Amadieu Cuvée Vieilles Vignes Red
      Made with over 50 years old Grenache vines and with some Syrah, Mourvedre and a little Carignan. Lengthy taste of fruits and spice, rounded and structured with soft tannins. Magnificent taste, still a couple of years to reach its best. Drink it now but decant it first.
      £21.70
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    • Domaine des Amadieu Cairanne Haut de Beauregard Red
      Cairanne: Domaine Des Amadieu Haut de Beauregard Red
      Excellent length with freshness. Round and soft. This wine is made in small quantity with a yearly production of only 1,663 bottles.
      £24.55
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      £24.55
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    Pierre Hourlier Wines,
    Unit 11,
    Melbourne Hall
    Visitor Centre,
    Church Square
    Melbourne, Derbyshire
    DE73 8EN

    01332 341466

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