IGP Coteaux du Pont du Gard

Appellation Zone

From the Little Camargue river delta to the Saint Esprit Bridge, including the banks of the Rhône River, the territory of the Coteaux du Pont du Gard IGP contains an exceptionally rich cultural heritage, not only of the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Pont du Gard, but also the Roman historical sites in Nîmes , the duchy of Uzès, Beaucaire (the city of water, art, and history), and Sommières (a city of commerce since the Middle Ages).

 Soil and Climate

Though the geology of the Coteaux du Pont du Gard IGP territory is essentially limestone, this does not mean that the soil is uniform. You’ll find large-grained yellow limestone (called the “stones of the Pont du Gard”), the white, hard limestone of the resinous garrigue plateaus, the blond limestone of Uzès…the diversity is considerable. Along the Rhône or the coastal rivers, the soil is made of pebbles deposited by the water, while elsewhere the earth is covered with startlingly white, chalky stones.  Even further, the alluvial silt gives yellow tones to the soil where oxidized clay turns red-brown.

The climate is Mediterranean and severe, with hot and dry summers. The Mistral wind is often strong and alternates with the Marin wind, which is sometimes responsible for violent autumn rains.

 Grape varieties and Wines

For over thirty years, the IGP has adapted their vineyards to grow different grape varieties together (l’encépagement), which permitted wine-growers to respond to the demand of new consumers. One of the methods of l’encépagement that evolved considerably required the planting of very Mediterranean grape varieties that are well-adapted to drier soil as well as grape varieties suited to deeper soil, like Cabernet-Sauvignon, Carignan, and Merlot for red wines, and Chardonnay and Sauvignon for whites.

Thanks to its geographical location, the Coteaux du Pont du Gard IGP benefits from a very hot climate, which produces wines that possesses the distinct character of the South. The red wines are generally very strong, the rosés are fruity and fresh, and the whites are decadent.

 Grape Varieties: Cabernet-Sauvignon, Carignan, Chardonnay, Cinsault, Grenache, Merlot, Mourvèdre, Pinot, Sauvignon, Syrah.

Important numbers

Average yield: 65-70 hl/ha

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