Grignan-les-Adhémar: the rebirth of the Tricastin hills

Updated on December 14, 2022

In the heart of the Rhône Valley , an AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) has been making a slow but remarkable comeback for just over five years now. This is the Grignan-les-Adhémar appellation, an 1,800-hectare vineyard known until 2010 as the Côteaux du Tricastin. Henri Bour, president of the appellation, tells us about his passion for the region's wines and the pairing of wine and truffles.

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The revival of the Tricastin hills

In an effort to restore the appellation's image, the winemakers have joined forces to give the Grignan-les-Adhémar AOC a second chance. Henri Bour, president of the appellation, confirmed this to us yesterday during a press luncheon attended by winemakers, wine industry professionals, and members of the Parisian press: "All the indicators are green for us today, provided that the winemakers maintain the enthusiasm, conviction, and drive that have motivated us since the end of 2010."

Indeed, the vineyards of Grignan-les-Adhémar benefit from an ideal geographical location: winters are mild, with a little wind, and summers are hot and dry, with cool nights. The soils are diverse: pebbles, sand, clay, and limestone.

All the conditions are in place to produce quality grapes and distinctive, well-balanced wines. And that's the word that always comes up in conversation with Henri Bour: "balance." A winemaker for 20 years at Domaine de Grangeneuve, he mentions two wines that have particularly impressed him:

• The "Vieilles Vignes 2011" vintage from his estate – Domaine de Grangeneuve – is for him synonymous with pleasure and balance. With a well-balanced blend of Grenache Noir and Syrah, it is a simple wine that is not too tannic.
• For Henri Bour, the "La Chapelle" vintage from Domaine Jaboulet perfectly embodies balance and elegance, while preserving the power of the wine.

And it is this desire to make and share balanced, high-quality wines that drives him today to champion the Grignan-les-Adhémar appellation. And they are doing well, because the share of Grignan-les-Adhémar wines exported nearly tripled in 2015. The leading importer of the appellation's wines is the United Kingdom, followed very closely by Belgium, the Netherlands, China, and Denmark.

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What do we eat with Grignan-les-Adhémar wines?

In the Drôme Provençale region, to put it somewhat simplistically, there's lavender, wine, a bit of grain, and… truffles. So it's quite natural that when Henri Bour is asked what food and wine pairing he recommends, he immediately turns to a local product: the truffle.

A rare and precious product, the aromas of the truffle can easily be masked if care isn't taken with the choice of wine and accompaniment. Henri Bour has a slight preference for raw truffles and advises pairing them with a white wine (avoiding Viogniers, which are too rich). For a dish with cooked truffles, opt for a more powerful white wine, and you can even venture into red wines, avoiding those that are too fruity or too oaky. To put it simply:

• Choose a white wine
• Keep in mind that truffles don't like fruit!

Never forget that the truffle is queen and that both the cook and the wine must respect it!

A sneak peek at our favorite vats

Our team of specialists had the pleasure of tasting three wines from Grignan-les-Adhémar, and they were completely captivated. They are true gems! We love them, which is why we're sharing them with you!

Domaine du Chardon Bleu, Brigand BIO, red: The nose is very inviting, with pronounced notes of small red fruits. The attack on the palate is supple and fresh: the fruit gradually takes center stage! The wine reveals itself with notes of sweet spices and pepper. The tannins are supple and well-structured.

Château de la Robine, Mille Écus d'Or, white, 2019: We love this wine that transports us straight to the Rhône Valley! Its color is brilliant with golden highlights. The nose is explosive with aromas of peach, apricot, and honey. On the palate, it's extraordinary; this wine has an elegant balance where the Clairette refreshes the intense aromatics of the Viognier.

Domaine du Chardon Bleu, Ritournelle Organic Rosé, 2021: We are proud to present this rosé that we love! The Ritournelle cuvée is a rosé wine that is both dry and delicate. On the nose, this wine is marked by its luscious and fruity character! The palate is fresh with lovely citrus notes.

Shamini for Les Grappes