27.6.2023
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
C 224/41
The whole is bordered to the west by the foothills of the Cévennes; to the north by the Lussan limestone massif which peaks at Mount Bouquet (630 m); to the east and south, by vast limestone plateaux, often wooded, separating it from the countries of Nîmes, Sommières, and the Rhône valley.
Lastly, the Gardon river, which is a major element in the local hydrographic network, crosses the area from the north-west to the south-east.
The geographical area lies on principally limestone substrates and the vineyards are generally planted on stony slopes in shallow soil.
The sector has a Mediterranean climate, albeit attenuated by its distance from the coast and by the mountainous terrain which curtails the influence of the sea.
As a result, there are greater temperature contrasts than on the coast, and a decrease of one to two degrees in average annual temperature between the south-east and the north-west of the area.
This transitional climate is reflected in particular by less severe summer drought; annual rainfall of around 700 mm is subject to significant inter-annual variation caused by the autumn rainfall, which is sometimes considerable (due to Cévenol episodes).
The geographical area thus extends from the heart of mixed-crop terrain, where vines are omnipresent on the slopes, and where the annual vegetation is divided between green oak and pubescent oak, reflecting the transitional climate of the area.
Over the centuries, vines have marked the history and agricultural life of the Uzès region and there has been ample evidence of vine cultivation on this land since Roman times.
Later, in the Middle Ages, vines were still present and took on strong symbolic meaning in the eyes of the Christian clergy, leading the first bishops to become winegrowers.
Reports on the quality of the vineyards and the noble wines on the territory of the Duchy of Uzès date back to the 15th century.
Since this time and despite the successive crises, the hillside vineyards, a landscape feature associated with the olive tree and flanking richer plains planted with cereal crops, have remained a constant.
The land ownership structure, dominated by small mixed-crop holdings, would encourage the development of hillside vines, a phenomenon which took hold in the 18th century through the practice of dual activity, where workers in the textile industries also cultivated small parcels of vines.
Since 1981, the wines have been recognised under the term ‘Vin de Pays de l’Uzège’, which in 1992 became ‘Vin de Pays Duché d’Uzès’, at which point production conditions were tightened and a Mediterranean grape variety was defined.
Taking into account the climate and soil conditions of the area, the Syndicat has been working on the identification of terroirs, thereby allowing producers to benefit from the best match between the wine-growing location and grape varieties, which reinforces the authenticity of the wines.
The vineyards will be restructured using the most noble Mediterranean varieties, namely Syrah N and Grenache N for red and rosé wines, and Grenache blanc B and Viognier B for white wines.
In 2010, almost 9 000 hectolitres were claimed by 32 private wineries and 11 cooperative wineries; red wines accounted for 60 % of production, rosé wines for 25 % and white wines for 15 %.
8.2.
Causal interactions The transitional Mediterranean climate of the particular geographical location of the PDO Duché d’Uzès, at the meeting point between Cévennes, Languedoc and Provence, allows the Mediterranean grape varieties to ripen slowly, giving the wines an original character marked by elegance, fruitiness and freshness.
The know-how of the winegrowers, the choice of only Mediterranean grape varieties and the studies of the terroir have thus made it possible for the various varieties to be planted in conditions which ensure optimal expression.
Indeed, well-exposed parcels with shallow, stony and well-drained soils are always preferred.
Moreover, thanks to the Cévennes foothills, the temperature varies significantly from day to night.
It is this temperature range, and in particular the cooler nights, which allows the grapes to ripen slowly, enhancing their colour and preserving the acidity and aromatic expression of the berries, which are distinguishing characteristics of the fresh and fruity PDO Duché d’Uzès wines.
The Grenache N variety provides smoothness, depth and highly elegant yet intense fruitiness.