Cotes du Rhone Villages Saint-Maurice-sur-Eygues is an appellation for the red, white and rose wines from the parish of Saint-Maurice-sur-Eygues in the southern half of the Rhone valley in France. The village itself is located 15 miles (24km) to the north-east of the town of Orange.
Saint-Maurice-sur-Eygues is one of about 20 names (this figure changes every few years) which may be added to the AOC Cotes du Rhone Villages appellation title, having been identified as a source of higher quality wines distinctive of the regional style. It is located between the more prestigious Rasteau and Valreas appellations, and its critics are quick to imply that this proximity was the cause of its recognition, rather than any particular distinction in local wine production. The wines of the Cotes du Rhone Villages appellation are generally a step up in quality from those of the Cotes du Rhone appellation, but are not regarded with such esteem as those of a unique, location-specific appellation like Cornas or Hermitage.
Clay and limestone are the predominant soil types around Saint-Maurice-sur-Eygues, with some lighter sandstone-based rocky soils also making up a significant proportion of the local soils. The excellent drainage qualities of looser, sandier soil types means that the vines grown on them are forced to grow deep, strong root systems in order to search for water and nutriment.
The climate in Saint-Maurice is strictly of the Mediterranean climate type, but the area is particularly affected by the cold Mistral winds which move along the Rhone from the north. Saint-Maurice-sur-Eygues is located right on the Aigues (historically spelled Eygues) river, which conducts the force of the Mistral along its valley. Aside from the sporadic winds the area still enjoys long, hot summers which bring excellent ripening potential to the Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre grapes which make up the majority of the appellation's red and rose wines, and the Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Marsanne, Roussanne, Bourboulenc and Viognier which make up the whites. Mourvedre in particular requires a hot, dry climate to fully ripen, as does Grenache. These two grapes are rarely found north of Montelimar, which marks the boundary between the northern Rhone and the hotter southern Rhone. Syrah, on the other hand, prefers the slightly cooler climate in Saint-Maurice-sur-Eygues, as it is more susceptible to heat damage.
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