AOC/AOP Regulations

Département

  • Vaucluse

Commune of Production

  • Cairanne

Styles and Encépagement

  • Blanc:
    • Principal Varieties: Bourboulenc, Clairette Blanc, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viogner
    • Accessory Varieties: Picpoul Blanc, Ugni Blanc
  • Rouge: 
    • Principal Variety: Grenache (minimum 50%)
    • Complementary Varieties: Syrah and Mourvèdre
    • Accessory Varieties: No more than 30% (white varieties limited to 7%); Bourboulenc, Brun Argenté Noir (Vaccarèse), Carignan (max 20%), Cinsault, Clairette Blanc, Clairette Rose, Counoise Noir, Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Marsanne, Muscardin, Piquepoul Blanc, Piquepoul Noir, Roussanne, Terret Noir, Ugni Blanc, Viognier.

Assemblage

  • Blanc: Principal varieties must make a majority of the blend
  • Rouge: Principal varieties must make a majority of the blend

Minimum Potential Alcohol

  • Blanc: 12%
  • Rouge: 12.5%

Minimum Must Weight

  • Blanc: 196 g/l
  • Rouge: 207 g/l (216 g/l for Grenache Noir) 

Maximum Residual Sugar

  • 3 g/l for wines <14% ABV
  • 4 g/l for wines >14% ABV

Minimum Planting Density

  • max. 2.5 square meters per vine

Maximum Yield (Rendement de Base)

  • Total: 48 hl/ha
  • Blanc: 40 hl/ha
  • Rouge: 38 hl/ha (36 hl/ha after the 2020 harvest)

Vieille Vigne Specifications

  • 30 years (20 years for Syrah and Viognier)

Young Vines

  • Plots with young vines may not be allowed to be labeled with the appellation until they are five years old.

Other Winemaking Practices

  • Thermovinfication, flash-detente and use of oak other than barrels is prohibited.

AOC Established

  • 2016

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