Southern Ardèche Vineyards: A Journey to the Heart of the Terroir

The Cave-Wine Expert: A Unique Way to Discover the Wines of Ardèche

Southern Ardèche is known for its spectacular caves. But did you know that a new species was recently discovered there? The speleo-oenologist.

For the past few years, it has been spreading in a cavity of the Saint Marcel d’Ardèche Cave.

Wines from Southern Ardèche

What does he love most of all? Exploring the tunnels, one by one, dozens of meters underground, until he reaches the one dedicated to wine tasting.

It must be said that this is an ideal cellar: a constant temperature of around 14°C, a humidity level of over 90% that ensures the corks and barrels remain airtight, total darkness, the absence of vibrations that allows the wine to rest undisturbed, and, finally, a healthy environment.

So all the winemakers in the village of Saint-Marcel-d’Ardèche came up with this crazy idea of aging their wines— Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Village Saint-Andéol—under conditions that are unique in the world. Then others decided to do the same at the Aven d’Orgnac. Here, nearly 1,200 bottles and 13 barrels are aging peacefully.

The idea originated with the explorers of these caves, who would bring along a supply of wine to drink on site. It is said that, as they came and went, they noticed that the wine was improving.

A region nestled between vineyards and rivers

Why not give it a try yourself? They say that this return to the roots of the terroir gives the wine a different flavor.