Gran Aven Grenache/Syrah 2020, Vignerons Ardechois, Cotes du Vivarais

A full-bodied, earthy, dry, Rhône red, this Côtes du Vivarais wine has a bouquet of dark hedgerow berries that precedes a full-bodied palate of black fruit with warming undertones of earth and spices.

The Vignerons Ardéchois Cave Co-opérative (also known as U.V.I.C.A – Union des Vignerons des Coteaux de l’Ardèche) has its roots in the late 1960s when the Presidents of 7 major Cave Co-opératives agreed a unified policy of modernisation, re-planting and marketing. Based in the town of Ruoms, 20 kilometres south of Aubenas this forward-thinking, modernist collective has done much to revive the fortunes of this ancient vine-area, which dates back to Roman times. Today the Vignerons Ardéchois co-operative represents some 2000 grape growers from 21 different smaller co-operatives. U.V.I.C.A is a terrific source of keenly-priced, well made single variety wines and accessible, fruit-driven blends.

Grapes from low-yielding old vines grown on a limestone soil are harvested at optimum maturity and vinified in thermo-regulated stainless steel vats.