Ventoux AOC is a wine

Wine

Wine is an alcoholic beverage, made of fermented fruit juice, usually from grapes. The natural chemical balance of grapes lets them ferment without the addition of sugars, acids, enzymes, or other nutrients. Grape wine is produced by fermenting crushed grapes using various types of yeast. Yeast...

-growing AOC

Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée

Appellation d’origine contrôlée , which translates as "controlled designation of origin", is the French certification granted to certain French geographical indications for wines, cheeses, butters, and other agricultural products, all under the auspices of the government bureau Institut National...

 in the southeastern region of the Rhône wine region

Rhône (wine region)

The Rhône wine region in Southern France is situated in the Rhône river valley and produces numerous wines under various Appellation d'origine contrôlée designations...

 of France

France

The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...

, where the wines are produced in 51 communes

Communes of France

The commune is the lowest level of administrative division in the French Republic. French communes are roughly equivalent to incorporated municipalities or villages in the United States or Gemeinden in Germany...

 of the Vaucluse

Vaucluse

The Vaucluse is a department in the southeast of France, named after the famous spring, the Fontaine-de-Vaucluse.- History :Vaucluse was created on 12 August 1793 out of parts of the departments of Bouches-du-Rhône, Drôme, and Basses-Alpes...

 département along the lower slopes of the Ventoux

Mont Ventoux

Mont Ventoux is a mountain in the Provence region of southern France, located some 20 km northeast of Carpentras, Vaucluse. On the north side, the mountain borders the Drôme département. It is the largest mountain in the region and has been nicknamed the "Giant of Provence", or "The Bald...

 mountain and at the foot of the Vaucluse Mountains. The neighbouring appellation of Côtes du Luberon AOC

Côtes du Luberon AOC

Côtes du Luberon is a French wine-growing AOC in the southeastern extreme of the Rhône wine region of France, where the wines are produced in 36 communes of the Vaucluse département. The neighbouring appellation of Côtes de Ventoux AOC stretches along its northern border and is separated by the...

 stretches along its southern border and is separated from it by the Calavon

Calavon

The Calavon is an long river in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Vaucluse départements, southeastern France. Its source is near Banon. It flows generally west-southwest...

 river.

The three main areas of the region, the Malaucène

Malaucène

Malaucène is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-Geography:Malaucène is a typical provençal village located in Provence at the foot of Mont Ventoux.-Sights:...

 basin, the foothills of the Mont Ventoux to the east of Carpentras

Carpentras

Carpentras is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.It stands on the banks of the Auzon...

 and to the north of Cavaillon

Cavaillon

Cavaillon is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-Geography:The Calavon, a tributary of the Durance locally called Coulon, flows westward through the middle of the commune....

 are less ravaged by the Mistral

Mistral (wind)

The mistral is a strong, cold and usually dry regional wind in France, coming from the north or northwest, which accelerates when it passes through the valleys of the Rhone and the Durance Rivers to the coast of the Mediterranean around the Camargue region. It affects the northeast of the plain...

 due to some shelter afforded by the Ventoux

Mont Ventoux

Mont Ventoux is a mountain in the Provence region of southern France, located some 20 km northeast of Carpentras, Vaucluse. On the north side, the mountain borders the Drôme département. It is the largest mountain in the region and has been nicknamed the "Giant of Provence", or "The Bald...

-Vaucluse

Monts de Vaucluse

The Vaucluse Mountains are a mountain range of the French Prealps located in the departement of Vaucluse, between the Luberon Massif and Mont Ventoux.The highest peak is Signal de Saint-Pierre, which reaches the height of ....

-Luberon

Luberon

The Luberon or Luberon Massif , also called Lubéron, has a maximum altitude of 1,256 m and an area of about 600 km²...

 mountain range.
Archeological discoveries of wine making equipment have dated that wine has been produced in the area at least since around 30 AD.

Wines

Red and rosé wines are made from, Grenache

Grenache

Grenache is one of the most widely planted red wine grape varieties in the world. It ripens late, so it needs hot, dry conditions such as those found in Spain, the south of France, and California's San Joaquin Valley. It is generally spicy, berry-flavored and soft on the palate with a relatively...

, Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvèdre

Mourvèdre

Mourvèdre , Mataró or Monastrell is wine grape variety used to make both strong, dark red wines and rosés. It is an international variety grown in many regions around the world....

, and Carignan (maximum 30%). Other varieties which may be used to a maximum of 20%.The red wine is distinctly characterised by its aromas of black fruit, spice, and pepper.
White wines are produced from Clairette

Clairette

-People:*Clairette , a French-Canadian actress and singer-Wines:*Clairette de Die AOC, a French sparkling wine appellation*Clairette blanche, a white grape variety* Clairette Ronde, synonym for the grape variety Trebbiano...

, Bourboulenc

Bourboulenc

Bourboulenc is a white wine grape variety primarily grown in southern France. The variety is found in the regions Southern Rhône, Provence and Languedoc....

, and Grenache Blanc

Grenache Blanc

Grenache blanc is a variety of white wine grape that is related to the red grape Grenache. It is mostly found in Rhône wine blends and in northeast Spain. Its wines are characterized by high alcohol and low acidity, with citrus and or herbaceous notes. Its vigor can lead to overproduction and...

, and Roussane (maximum 30%)
A Primeur wine is also produced in all three colours
The minimum alcoholic content for all wines is decreed at 11%.
The reds, which comprise approximately 80% of the production, are light and fruity. All wines are generally consumed while they are still young.

Economy

The Ventoux wines are produced by a total of 1,339 concerns which include 1,315 growers, 113 private wineries, 16 cooperative wineries, and 8 producer/merchants.

The vinyards are in the communes of Apt

Apt, Vaucluse

Apt is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.It lies on the left bank of the Calavon, east of Avignon...

, Aubignan

Aubignan

Aubignan is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-References:*...

, Beaumettes

Beaumettes

Beaumettes is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-Geography:The village lies on the right bank of the Calavon, which forms all of the commune's southern border.-References:*...

, Beaumont-du-Ventoux

Beaumont-du-Ventoux

Beaumont-du-Ventoux is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-References:*...

, Bédoin

Bédoin

Bédoin is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-Geography:Located at the base of Mont Ventoux, it is the starting point of one of the three routes to the summit of the mountain .-Sights:Bédoin contains a large Spanish-style church,...

, Blauvac

Blauvac

Blauvac is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-References:*...

, Bonnieux

Bonnieux

Bonnieux is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-Geography:Bonnieux is one of the many historic "hill villages" in the region. Dating back to Roman times, it rests on top of the Luberon hills casting a watchful gaze across the rest of...

, Cabrières-d'Avignon

Cabrières-d'Avignon

Cabrières-d'Avignon is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-History:The Château and the village were the scene of the massacre in 1644 of about 700 Vaudois, or Waldensians—a reformist group declared heretical by the Catholic church....

, Caromb

Caromb

Caromb is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-References:*...

, Carpentras

Carpentras

Carpentras is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.It stands on the banks of the Auzon...

, Caseneuve

Caseneuve

Caseneuve is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-References:*...

, Crestet

Crestet

Crestet is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-References:*...

, Crillon-le-Brave

Crillon-le-Brave

Crillon-le-Brave is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.Like many of the older villages in the region, it was built on a hilltop for defensive purposes and to provide more farmland on the plains below. It is a very small town, with...

, Entrechaux

Entrechaux

Entrechaux is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-References:*...

, Flassan

Flassan

Flassan is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-Demography:Flassan is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-Demography:...

, Fontaine-de-Vaucluse

Fontaine-de-Vaucluse

Fontaine-de-Vaucluse is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-Heraldry:...

, Gargas

Gargas, Vaucluse

Gargas is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.Gargas is the site of old ochre mining operations. In 2009 the Mine d'Ocre de Broux was opened for tourists.-References:*...

, Gignac

Gignac, Vaucluse

Gignac is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-References:*...

, Gordes

Gordes

Gordes is a commune in the Vaucluse département in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.The residents are known as Gordiens...

, Goult

Goult

Goult is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-Geography:The commune lies in the parc naturel régional du Luberon.The Calavon flows westward through the southern part of the commune....

, Joucas

Joucas

Joucas is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-Démography:-Places to see:image:Joucas - église.JPG|Joucas churchimage:Joucas - autel église.JPG|inside the church...

, Lagnes

Lagnes

Lagnes is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.This charming village lies at the very south west tip of the Plateau de Vaucluse, which rises behind the village, and on which one can walk or climb for miles.The road through the village...

, La Roque-sur-Pernes

La Roque-sur-Pernes

La Roque-sur-Pernes is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-References:*...

, Le Barroux

Le Barroux

Le Barroux is a village and commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France. It had a population of 615 in 2006.- History :Its current name derives from the latin Albaruffum....

, Le Beaucet

Le Beaucet

Le Beaucet is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-See also:*Communes of the Vaucluse departmentLe Beaucet is a small settlement located in the South of France....

, Lioux

Lioux

Lioux is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-References:*...

, Loriol-du-Comtat

Loriol-du-Comtat

Loriol-du-Comtat is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-References:*...

, Malaucène

Malaucène

Malaucène is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-Geography:Malaucène is a typical provençal village located in Provence at the foot of Mont Ventoux.-Sights:...

, Malemort-du-Comtat

Malemort-du-Comtat

Malemort-du-Comtat is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-References:*...

, Maubec

Maubec, Vaucluse

Maubec is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-References:*...

, Mazan

Mazan

Mazan is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.Mazan is one of the chateaus of the de Sade family. Today this chateau is a luxury hotel.[1]-References:**...

, Méthamis

Méthamis

Méthamis is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-References:*...

, Modène

Modène

Modène is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-References:*...

, Mormoiron

Mormoiron

Mormoiron is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-Geography and geology:Mormoiron is located 12 km East of Carpentras; also nearby are Mont Ventoux and Avignon...

, Murs

Murs, Vaucluse

Murs is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-References:*...

, Pernes

Pernes-les-Fontaines

Pernes-les-Fontaines is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-References:*...

, Robion

Robion

Robion is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-Geography:The Calavon, locally called Coulon, flows westward through the middle of the commune.-References:*...

, Roussillon

Roussillon, Vaucluse

Roussillon is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.Roussillon lies within the borders of the Parc Naturel Régional du Luberon. In the French natural regional parks, new economic activities may be developed only if they are...

, Rustrel

Rustrel

Rustrel is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-Sights:This village is famous for its ochre, which many people come to visit in the French Colorado.-References:*...

, Saignon

Saignon

Saignon is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.The nearest town is Apt.There is a bakery/cafe, two restaurants, and a general store. The school has about 100 students, and is attached to the post office.-History:The area was first...

, Saumane

Saumane-de-Vaucluse

Saumane-de-Vaucluse is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-References:*...

, Saint-Didier

Saint-Didier, Vaucluse

Saint-Didier is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-References:*...

, Saint-Hippolyte-le-Graveyron

Saint-Hippolyte-le-Graveyron

Saint-Hippolyte-le-Graveyron is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-Sites and Monuments:*Stone column topped by an iron cross.*Chateau Juvenal XIXth century...

, Saint-Martin-de-Castillon

Saint-Martin-de-Castillon

Saint-Martin-de-Castillon is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-Geography:The river Calavon flows westward through the middle of the commune and forms part of its western border.-References:...

, Saint-Pantaléon

Saint-Pantaléon, Vaucluse

Saint-Pantaléon is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-References:*...

, Saint-Pierre-de-Vassols

Saint-Pierre-de-Vassols

Saint-Pierre-de-Vassols is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-References:*...

, Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt

Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt

Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-References:*...

, Venasque

Venasque

Venasque is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.The area has many tourist attractions, such as the nearby Mount Vaucluse, a park with several tennis courts, and many open areas. The town of Venasque stands on a hill, surrounded on...

, Viens

Viens

Viens is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-References:*...

, Villars

Villars, Vaucluse

Villars is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-References:*...

 and Villes-sur-Auzon

Villes-sur-Auzon

Villes-sur-Auzon is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-References:*...

.