AOC Costières de Nîmes

Appellation area

It extends over more than 10,000 ha on the right bank of the Rhone River and the hills bordering the delta, where Languedoc and Provence meet.

Geology

Hills and plateaux situated between 20 and 130 metres above sea level are made up of siliceous rounded pebbles (les Gress). The thickness of this alluvial soil varies between 3 and 15 metres, which allows the vines’ roots to go as deep as 4 or 5 metres to find the water vital for proper ripening of the grapes.

Climate

Mediterranean climate with its sea-side influence gives an exceptional bonus in the production of these authentic wines. The 3 essential characteristics being the wind: the Mistral helps to keep the vines healthy; the rainfall: a limited number of intense rainy days and an exceptional number of sunny days.

Grapes

For the red and rosé wines: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Carignan, and Cinsault. For the white wines: White Grenache, Marsanne, Roussane as well as Clairette, Bourboulenc, Maccabeo and Rolle.

Key figures

  • 4164 ha
  • Average yield
  • 60 hl/ha

Average production

213 728 hl