Vacqueyras is a
French wine
French wine is produced throughout all of France in quantities between 50 and 60 million hectolitres per year, or 7–8 billion bottles. France is one of the largest wine producers in the world. French wine traces its history to th ...
''
Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée
In France, the ''appellation d'origine contrôlée'' (, ; abbr. AOC ) is a label that identifies an agricultural product whose stages of production and processing are carried out in a defined geographical area – the ''terroir'' – and using ...
'' (AOC) in the southern
Rhône wine region of
France
France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...
, along the banks of the River
Ouvèze
The Ouvèze (; ) is a river in southern France and left tributary of the Rhône. It rises in the southern French Prealps (the Baronnies), in the commune of Montauban-sur-l'Ouvèze. It flows into the Rhône in Sorgues, north of Avignon. Its leng ...
. It is primarily a red wine region with some white and rosé wines being produced. Being a little brother of
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Châteauneuf-du-Pape (; ) is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France. The village lies about to the east of the Rhône and north of the town of Avignon.
A ruined medieval castle s ...
and, arguably,
Gigondas
Gigondas (; ) is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in Southeastern France. In 2021 it had a population of 430.
Geography
Gigondas lies in between Vacqueyras and Sablet at the foot of the Dentelles ...
, the wine is moderately prestigious and can yield pleasing results when treated correctly.
History
Wine has been produced in the region since the 15th century. However records are sparse, reduced to mentioning large vineyards and a decree on how to keep hungry goats away from the grapes.
Vacqueyras received the
A.O.C. Côtes du Rhône Decree appellation in 1937, and in 1955 was promoted to
Côtes du Rhône Villages status, becoming a named village in 1967. In 1990, Vacqueyras was granted its own AOC, the first in the region since Gigondas in 1971, and the first of a number of candidates for that particular honour, recently bestowed to
Beaumes-de-Venise
Beaumes-de-Venise (; ) is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.
Name
The word "beaumes" comes from the Provençal word ''bauma'' meaning "cave" or "grotto". The surrounding hills ...
and
Vinsobres.
Climate and geography
Located only a few kilometers south of Gigondas, Vacqueyras shares much of the same terroir with vineyards located in altitude. The best vineyards are found on ''Plateau de Garrigues''. In the lowland, warmer temperatures result in more powerful and often inelegant wines.
Grapes and wine

The bulk (97%) of the wine is red. The red wine can be much like the wines from Gigondas and at their best, the wines of Vacqueyras can match those of their northern sibling.
Vacqueyras wines have been called "poor man's Châteauneuf-du-Pape".
Winemaking
Vacqueyras is, like
Gigondas
Gigondas (; ) is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in Southeastern France. In 2021 it had a population of 430.
Geography
Gigondas lies in between Vacqueyras and Sablet at the foot of the Dentelles ...
, known for its power rather than its elegance. The backbone of the wine is
Grenache
Grenache (; ) or Garnacha () is one of the most widely planted red wine grape varieties in the world. Niels Lillelund: ''Rhône-Vinene'' p. 25, JP Bøger – JP/Politikens Forlagshus A/S, 2004. . It ripens late, so it needs hot, dry condi ...
, however, producers of Vacqueyras use more
Syrah
Syrah (), also known as Shiraz, is a dark-skinned grape variety grown throughout the world and used primarily to produce red wine. In 1999, Syrah was found to be the offspring of two obscure grapes from southeastern France, Dureza and Mondeuse ...
than is used in Gigondas which can make the style seem cooler.
See also
*
French wine
French wine is produced throughout all of France in quantities between 50 and 60 million hectolitres per year, or 7–8 billion bottles. France is one of the largest wine producers in the world. French wine traces its history to th ...
References
Cotes du Rhone Web Site
{{Authority control
Rhône wine AOCs
1990 establishments in France
de:Vacqueyras#Weinbau in Vacqueyras