 the grignan-les adhemar aoc (formerly the cÃ´teaux du tricastin) is the northernmost wine-growing aoc in the southern area of the rhÃ´ne wine region of france. the wines are produced in 21 communes in the department of drÃ´me on the east bank of the rhÃ´ne river in a triangle bounded by saint-paul-trois-chÃ¢teaux, montÃ©limar, and grignan; opposite the cÃ´tes du vivarais aoc on the right bank. the vineyards straddle both the true mediterranean and the continental climatic regions where in this part of france the transition is rapid, winter snow being frequent in montÃ©limar but rare some 20 - 30 kilometres further south. in this transitional area between the northern and southern rhÃ´ne wine regions that constitutes the northern limit of the provence, the climate in baume-le-transit and st paul are more typically mediterranean climate than the slightly cooler areas dominated by the lance mountain.inter rhÃ´ne retrieved 19 january 2010  according to archeological finds, particularly the remains of the largest roman wine villa in donzÃ¨re dating from the 1st century bc, wine has been produced in the region since the antiquity. tricastin wines were mentioned in the writings of the marquise de sevignÃ© in the 16th century. the wines were accorded an aovdqs on 19 march 1964, and were awarded their aoc on 27 july 1973. ==wines== a characteristic of the wines from this appellation is their great diversity due to the many and mixed soil types and varied climates. the central part of the region comprises sandstone hills, while the southeast is covered with stones or gravel. the west is mainly alluvial soil with calcairous stones, and the north is covered with large glacial pebbles. red wines which comprise 95% of the total production, are made from the principal varieties of grenache noir and syrah (10% minimum), with secondary varieties of cinsault, mourvÃ¨dre carignan. no single variety may be present at more 
1973_establishments_in_France RhA'ne_wine_AOCs