During the recent decade marked differences in styre have appeared, and wines for drinking after 3-4 years have appered compared to the more traditional wines, which need a full 5-6 years or more cellaring. Our favourit domaines include: Domaine Le Clos des Cazaux and Domaine la Monardiére

When you leave A7 in Bolléne and take D8, it will take you to Vacqueyras at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail. For many years we used to rent a gîte above the village when visiting the region. These days, we prefer to stay in the scenic village of Lafare in the Dentelles.

Vacqueyras received its AC status in 1990 (red, white and rosé). To us, as foreigners, it is surprising that Vacqueyras and not Carianne has received its own AC! Geologically, Gigondas and Vacqueyras are broadly similar, but towards the soúth the soils in Vacqueyras become stonier. Compared with Gigondas, négociants and cooperatives account for more of the production than in Gigondas. AC rules for the reds state that Grenache, Syrah and Mouvédre should make up minimum 90%, and Grenache a minimum of 50%, while Mouvédre and Syrah alone or together should make up at least 20%. Other grapes are limited to 10%. The reds of Vacqueyras are dark in colour, robust and potent, sometimes with coarse tannin! They are not wines ment for the faint-hearted!