Our red wines
The red wines are distinguished by their elegance and finesse, with a particular focus on the purity of the fruit. They have aromas of red and black fruits, subtly enhanced by notes of spice.
On the palate, the softness and smoothness of the tannins dominate, revealing a balanced and complex finish. These wines can be enjoyed young or after several years of aging – 10 years or more.
Main grape varieties :
- Black Grenache, the dominant and flagship grape of the vineyard, gives the wines aromas of red fruits – strawberry, raspberry, sour cherry – and fragrant spices. Its textured palate reveals an excellent depth.
- Syrah brings balance and complexity with fruity and floral notes of blackcurrant, violet, and licorice. It enhances the visual profile by adding nuance and depth to the wine’s colour.
- Mourvèdre enhances the aromatic richness with its freshness, tannins, and spices—black pepper, clove, and cinnamon. It improves the balance of the wines and increases their ageing potential.
Other grape varieties, inherited from the past, such as Cinsault, Counoise and old Carignan vines, each add an extra touch of elegance and complexity.
Our white wines
A perfect balance of freshness and harmony, Cairanne’s white wines reflect the uniqueness of their terroir. Whether aged in vats or barrels, they offer a wide range of white fruit and floral aromas, with a fruity, mineral palate enhanced by citrus notes.
Pleasant to enjoy when young, these wines gain in complexity with a few years of ageing.
Main grape varieties :
- Clairette, a historic grape variety, is appreciated for its aromatic finesse and freshness, enhanced by a hint of white flowers and anise.
- Roussanne brings smoothness to the wines with citrus notes enhanced by a hint of salinity.
- White Grenache adds delicacy to the wines. With its subtle spices—saffron, nutmeg—it elevates both the structure and intensity of the wines.
Other grape varieties such as Marsanne, Piquepoul, Viognier and Bourboulenc add richness and liveliness to the wines.
1088 HA
Production area
35%
Organic area
10%
HEV surface area
30 000 HL
Average annual production
94%
Red wine
6%
White wine
Our beliefs
From the very beginning, the work of the winegrowers has been driven by respect for and dedication to preserving an exceptional natural heritage. With a strong commitment to building a sustainable future for the vineyard, they have established one of the most ambitious specifications in the Rhône Valley. Rooted in tradition and practice, these commitments involve respect for nature, vines, and consumers alike.
Respecting soil
Total herbicide use is prohibited to ensure soil sustainability, deep vine rooting, and the preservation of biodiversity.
Respecting typicality
The winegrowers follow a strict planting regimen to ensure the presence of traditional and local grape varieties :
| Red | White |
| Grenache : 50 % minimum Syrah and Mourvèdre : 20 % minimum Other grape varieties such as Carignan, Cinsault, Counoise… : 30% maximum | Clairette : 30 % minimum White Grenache : 20 % minimum Roussanne : 20 % minimum Other grape varieties such as Bourboulenc, Viognier, Marsanne, White Picquepoul : 20% maximum |
Respecting plants
Harvesting by hand enhances the quality of the grapes and helps preserve the traditional goblet pruning method.
Respecting wines and consumers
Grapes must be sorted to ensure the quality of the harvest. The sulphite level is limited to that of wines made from organic farming.
OUR EMBOSSED BOTTLE
You can instantly recognize Cairanne AOC by its distinctive embossed bottle!
This reflects the AOC’s philosophy, blending tradition with modernity. The delicate engraving on the central seal, closely linked to the village’s history, is inspired by the town’s old coat of arms. The key would symbolize Cairanne’s affiliation with the Comtat Venaissin (a medieval state). The wall and its gate could represent the Porte d’Autan. The five-pointed star would embody the religious symbol of Man and Eternity.
Our vintage wines
2016 – An exceptional vintage
The year 2016 marked a historic turning point for Cairanne, with its elevation to the status of a Cru of the Côtes du Rhône.
This vintage benefited from exceptional weather, with a warm spring followed by light rains allowing the vines to grow at their best. The intense summer heat, balanced by rainfall at the end of August, contributed to the perfect ripening of the grapes. The harvest combines both quality and quantity. Tasting experts are unanimous: it’s a dream vintage! All the elements come together: aromas, concentration, and balance. This vintage, recognized as one of the best of the decade, embodies the pride and expertise of Cairanne’s winemakers.
2017 – An atypical vintage
The 2017 vintage stands out for its challenging climatic conditions. A hot spring and a dry summer marked the season, leading to significant berry drop on the Grenaches. The scorching summer put the vines under severe stress. Although the grapes came from normal-sized bunches, they turned out to be particularly small, resulting in a decrease in yields.
In response to these challenges, the winemakers had to reinvent their blends, giving greater emphasis to Syrah at the expense of Grenache.
The wines are characterized by their concentration, smoothness, and spicy aromas. Despite limited yields, this vintage offers a singularity that fits perfectly within the continuity of the remarkable 2016 vintage.
2018 – A vintage which defies Mother Nature
The year 2018 will remain memorable. A look back at a year full of twists and turns!
The vineyard faced a significant downy mildew attack, resulting in one of the lowest harvests in the past thirty years. Despite these challenges, a successful flowering and a hot, dry summer enabled the vines to reach optimal ripeness, though slightly later than usual. The efforts and perseverance of the winemakers were crucial.
The wines stand out for their freshness and finesse. The tannins provide an elegant structure, combining smoothness with vibrant fruitiness. The 2018 vintage demonstrates the resilience and expertise of winemakers faced with nature’s challenges. A vintage as rare as it is precious.
2019 – A powerful vintage
The year 2019 benefited from favourable weather conditions. Autumn and winter rains replenished the groundwater while nourishing the soils and vines. Harvest began at the end of August for the white grape varieties, followed by the red varieties from mid-September to mid-October. The perfect health of the berries provided ideal conditions for controlled vinification. The winemakers skilfully incorporated a higher proportion of ripe stems, enhancing freshness and smoothness.
The wines are a perfect blend of generosity, exotic flavours, and richness, with a tannic structure that is both sustained and (velvety?). This vintage highlights all the qualities of Grenache and evokes the great years of the appellation. A real pleasure!
2020 – A charming and well-balanced vintage
The year 2020 may have played with the nerves of the entire planet, but its climate nonetheless cradled the Cairanne vineyards warmly. The season was marked by an early harvest, with healthy, fruit-filled grapes. The rapid growth of the vineyard, with optimal flowering for each grape variety, required the winemakers to focus on green work and soil management. A dry summer, punctuated by cool nights and light rain before the harvest, allowed for perfect grape ripening, resulting in a remarkable balance between acidity, fruit, and alcohol. Harvesting began at the end of August and finished in early October. The health of the grapes already promised an excellent vintage.
The red wines stand out for their silky tannins, generous Grenaches, and intense aromas. Colourful and fruity, they gain in finesse and delicacy. When tasted, the purity of the fruit is striking. The white wines, fresh and expressive, also make their mark.
This vintage, crafted in a unique context, combines strength and character, and has not been defeated by the determination and passion of our winemakers.
2021 – A late vintage
The 2021 vintage will forever be remembered for the historic frost that hit a large part of the vineyard; an unprecedented event in decades. These extreme weather conditions delayed the vegetative cycle, resulting in late ripening and significantly reduced yields. Despite these challenges, winemakers skilfully adapted to this complex year to produce remarkable wines.
Red wines stand out for their subtle balance, delicate tannins, and moderate alcohol levels, offering smooth and elegant profiles. White wines, meanwhile, are magnificent, so much so that some wine experts consider this to be one of the greatest white vintages of all time.
The 2021 vintage combines finesse, elegance, and exceptional control in the face of climatic challenges.
2022 – A deep vintage
The year 2022 was marked by a prolonged drought, but the vineyard benefited from timely rainfall at the end of the summer, allowing the grapes to reach optimal ripeness. All in all, this vintage provided favourable conditions for producing wines of great quality. The red wines are distinguished by their aromas of red fruits and spices, such as pepper. On the palate, they reveal a beautiful roundness, silky tannins, and a refined structure. This astonishing 2022 vintage combines both finesse and depth, promising great ageing potential.
2023 – A subtle vintage
The 2023 vintage stands out for its finesse. A relatively rainy spring favoured the good development of the vineyard, while the summer was marked by a heatwave at the end of August. The perfect health of the grapes enabled the vinification to proceed without a hitch, with well-controlled fermentations.
On tasting, the wines reveal elegance, with aromas of red fruits rather than black fruits, and silky tannins. The Grenache, the emblematic grape variety, showcases its full generosity in this vintage. 2023 is an ideal year for accessible wines.
2024 – A fine, elegant vintage
The year 2024 was marked by contrasting weather conditions. Heavy spring rains increased the phytosanitary pressure from downy mildew, leading to significant losses, estimated between 15% and 30% depending on the region. However, the vineyard was preserved thanks to a dry, hot, and sunny August, which allowed the grapes to ripen under perfect conditions. The harvest, slightly delayed, began in mid-September.
The wines are distinguished by their freshness, smoothness, and great finesse. They showcase intense fruit aromas and vibrant colours.
2024 is shaping up to be a delightful vintage, captivating with its aromatic complexity and immediate pleasure on the palate.
