📜 Gigondas

Gigondas is a French appellation (PDO) in the south of the Rhône Valley, at the foot of the jagged Dentelles de Montmirail mountains. These rocky teeth shelter the vineyards from wind and create a mosaic of slopes. Summers are hot and dry, and nights are cooler because of the altitude.

Red wines take the main place, but rosé is also made. The main grape is Grenache, with Syrah and Mourvèdre added. Reds are powerful and rich, with aromas of red and black berries, herbs and spice, and noticeable tannins. Strength is often above 14%. Rosés are full and aromatic. Estates are often small and family-run.

Gigondas belongs to the Southern Rhône and to still red wines, and it is close in style to other red wines of the southern Rhône. It is one of the more affordable wines of the southern Rhône compared with the most famous. The wines suit meat, game and dishes with Provençal herbs. Young bottles are better kept for a few years, when the tannins soften.