IGP Ardèche French wine appellation guide: location, history, wines, climate & soil
IGP Ardèche is a protected geographical indication in the wild, rugged Ardèche department, producing fresh, fruity and great-value reds, whites and rosés, including some of France's best-known Chardonnays outside Burgundy.
More info about IGP Ardèche
Geographic position
Southeastern France, in the Ardèche department on the right bank of the Rhône, mostly in the south around the Ardèche Gorges, Vallon-Pont-d'Arc and Ruoms, between the Cévennes foothills and the Rhône Valley.
Origin & history
The region is home to the Chauvet Cave, with some of the oldest cave paintings in the world, and vines have been grown here since Roman times. In the 1980s Burgundy producer Louis Latour planted Chardonnay here, helping to put the area on the map. The Vin de Pays des Coteaux de l'Ardèche became the IGP Ardèche in 2009.
Wines & grape varieties
Reds from Syrah, Grenache, Gamay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon; whites from Chardonnay, Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc. Expect bright red fruit and spice in reds, citrus, peach and white flowers in whites.
Climate & soil
Mediterranean climate with continental influence. Limestone plateaus, clay, sandstone and granite.
Wine region: Rhône
Grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Gamay, Grenache Noir, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Viognier