Cotes du Luberon is an appellation for wines made in the picturesque surroundings of the Luberon National Park in south-eastern France. Geographically wedged between the Rhone and Provence regions, AOC Cotes du Luberon wines are also stylistically caught somewhere between the styles of these two regions. More specifically, Cotes du Luberon is situated between the Cotes du Ventoux and Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence appellations, to the north and south respectively. All Cotes du Luberon vineyards are located within 20 miles (31km) of the Mediterranean coast, and enjoy the benefits of the gentle, south-facing slopes which run from the Mont Ventoux foothills to the sea.
The Cotes du Luberon appellation was created in 1988 and continues to produce significant quantities of red, white and rose wine today. Varietal wines made in the same area must be labeled under the title Vins de Pays du Vaucluse, as the Cotes du Luberon appellation laws do not permit blended wines.
Syrah is the dominant variety of the appellation (used in its red and rose wines), and is accompanied by Grenache, Mourvedre, Cinsaut, and a maximum addition of 20% Carignan. The better Cotes du Luberon wines are concentrated, full-bodied, herb-scented red wines which develop reasonably well with age.
Whites are made from Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Ugni Blanc, Vermentino, and occasional inclusions of Marsanne and Roussanne. Rose wines made under the appellation may incorporate up to 20 per cent of these white varieties.
The Mediterranean climate brings the long, warm days so characteristic of the wider region, but Luberon has cooler nights than most Rhone wine-producing areas. This higher diurnal temperature variation helps to produce some of the crisper, more interesting white wines of the southern Rhone.
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