Ventoux: White, Red, and Rosé Wines
You may be familiar with wines of the Southern Rhone Valley, such as the fresh white or rosé wines, and the deep delicious red wines made from Grenache, Syrah, and other blending grapes.
Provi, an online marketplace that simplifies the complex process of ordering wholesale alcohol by connecting buyers, distributors and suppliers all in one place, organized a dinner with Ventoux producers, local retailers, and the media at the Quality Bistro in New York for an introductory tasting and dinner to showcase the Ventoux appellation.
The Ventoux AOC was established in 1973, 54% of the production was red, 38% rosé, and 8% white. It is one of the oldest wine regions in France’s Southern Rhone Valley, with a history dating back to Roman times.
The appellation covers a total area of approximately e acres and is home to over 500 wine producers. Many inherited their wineries from their parents or grandparents, while others arrived from Paris and beyond, seeing the region’s potential for producing great wine,
Wines Grown in the Shadow of Mount Ventoux
A good example of such a vigneron is Patrick Chene, a Parisian who recognized that the region’s unique terroir (especially the rocky soils and different altitudes) could produce grapes rich in flavor.
After a successful career in the media, Patrick and his wife Laurence, a pastry-maker, settled in Ventoux in 2014 to give birth to Domaine Dambrun.
They had been charmed by the land and an 18th century farmhouse, where they raised their five children.
The vineyards of Domaine Dambrun are in four communes: Caromb, Modène, Mazan and Bédoin. The terroirs present a rich diversity with a majority of limestone clay and loamy sand soils, ranging from 100m to 450m high. M. Chene brought his red wine Domaine Dambrun L’Echappee Rouge 2019 (a blend of Grenache and Syrah) to the tasting, served with the three (shared) appetizer courses of tuna tartar, spicy Caesar salad, and crab cake.
The two other wines served with those courses were two rosé wines, one Marrenon Ventoux ‘Rosace’ rosé 2022 and the other Domaine de la Pigeade rosé 2021.
Many other Ventoux wine producers also told their stories at the dinner, each a unique pearl in a priceless necklace. Stories varied on the expected theme, of children taking over and modernizing a winery that had been in their family for generations.
The three wines chosen for the main courses (branzino, filet mignon, roasted mushrooms) were all rad, including:
Xavier Vignon Rouge 2020
Domaine de la Bastidonne, Coutilles Rouge 2020
Chene Bleu, Abelard 2014 (their current vintage)
Ventoux
Notes about wines of Ventoux
The Ventoux appellation is committed to sustainable and organic farming practices. Many of the region’s wine producers have embraced environmentally friendly farming techniques, including the use of cover crops, natural pest control methods, and minimal use of chemicals. This commitment to sustainability not only helps to protect the environment but also produces wines that are of the highest quality and flavor.
Culture and History
The appellation is located in the shadow of Mont Ventoux, one of the most iconic landmarks in the region. Aside from its wine, the region is well known for its cycling for races and pleasure. Visitors to the area can also explore the ancient Roman ruins that dot the landscape besides tasting wine by appointment at Ventoux wineries.
