5 key facts about Beaumes-de-Venise wines
Have you heard of Beaumes-de-Venise, a hidden gem in the Rhône Valley? If not, you're about to discover something truly special. This appellation deserves your full attention, especially if you're passionate about exceptional wines.
Let’s dive into five compelling reasons why these wines should be on your radar.
1. What’s the story behind the name Beaumes-de-Venise?
Have you ever wondered where the unique name Beaumes-de-Venise comes from?
"Beaumes" comes from the Provençal word "balma," meaning cave, a reference to the natural caverns found throughout the region. These caves have been part of the landscape for centuries.
As for "Venise," there's no link to the Italian city. It’s actually a linguistic evolution of “Venisse,” which comes from Venaissin, the Comtat region near Carpentras.
The name captures both the area's natural beauty and rich history. Though the appellation was officially created in 1945 for sweet wines and in 2005 for reds, winemaking here dates back to Roman times. Over the centuries, local winemakers have honed their craft, making Beaumes-de-Venise a true symbol of tradition and quality.
2. What grapes are used in Beaumes-de-Venise wines?
Beaumes-de-Venise produces two types of wines: still reds under the Beaumes-de-Venise AOC and sweet wines under the Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise AOC.
The reds get their distinctive character from a blend of grape varieties, with Grenache Noir and Syrah leading the way. Grenache thrives in the region’s windy, dry conditions, delivering ripe red and black fruit flavors and a smooth, rounded texture. Syrah adds structure, spicy aromas, deep color, and great aging potential. Mourvèdre often joins the mix, adding extra depth and complexity.
Secondary varieties like Carignan, Cinsault, and Counoise can also be used, adding a unique twist to the blend.
The Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise wines are made entirely from Muscat à petits grains, either white or black. The white Muscats are vibrant with tropical fruit, citrus, and honey notes, while the reds bring out rich red fruit and spice, and the rosés offer delicate floral aromas.
3. What makes the terroir of Beaumes-de-Venise so unique?
The uniqueness of Beaumes-de-Venise’s terroir lies in its complex geological diversity. Three main types of soils shape the character of the wines.
- First, we have the red Triassic soils found at the surface of the Dentelles de Montmirail. Elsewhere in the region, they’re buried over 1500 meters deep. These fine ochre soils retain water well, ensuring the vines don’t suffer from water stress.
- Then, there are the grey Jurassic soils located to the north of Lafare. Made up of silt, clay, and sand, these soils are sheltered from the wind and benefit from East-Southeast exposure, which allows for even ripening of the grapes.
- Lastly, we have the white Cretaceous soils, found primarily on terraces in the commune of La Roque-Alric. These clay-limestone soils get maximum sun exposure, making them perfect for the two main grape varieties, Grenache and Syrah. This blend of soil types gives Beaumes-de-Venise wines distinctive complexity and balance.
4. What are the best food pairings for Beaumes-de-Venise wines?
Beaumes-de-Venise wines are incredibly versatile and pair beautifully with a wide range of dishes.
The reds from Beaumes-de-Venise shine with rich, flavorful meals. Think slow-cooked stews, grilled meats, dishes with hearty sauces, or even spicy cuisine. Their tannic structure and complex aromas make them the perfect match for these foods.
On the other hand, the sweet Muscat wines are ideal for desserts. Pair them with fruit tarts, sorbets, or even blue cheeses for a sweet-salty contrast. Their natural sweetness and fruity notes make them an excellent choice as an aperitif. Interestingly, they are one of the few wines that pair beautifully with asparagus!
5. What is the aging potential of Beaumes-de-Venise wines?
The sweet Muscat wines from Beaumes-de-Venise are celebrated for their remarkable ability to age, often lasting for several decades. In their youth, they are vibrant, with expressive aromas of fresh fruit and flowers. As they mature, these wines take on more complex layers, developing notes of dried fruits, honey, caramel, and occasionally roasted hazelnuts.
If you prefer bright, fruity flavors, it’s best to enjoy Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise in its early years, when it shines with freshness and aromatic intensity. For those who appreciate deeper, more nuanced flavors like dried fruit and honey, letting the wine age for a few years—or even decades—will reveal its full complexity.
The still reds of Beaumes-de-Venise also age beautifully. Thanks to their firm tannic structure and rich flavor profile, they can improve over 5 to 15 years, with top vintages lasting even longer and developing further depth over time.
Don't wait to discover and savor our Beaumes-de-Venise wines:
The red Beaumes de Venise by Xavier Vignon: A blend of 50% Grenache, 35% Syrah, and 15% Mourvèdre, sourced from the diverse terroirs of the appellation.
The vineyard plots, located at altitudes between 100 and 600 meters, give this wine remarkable depth and complexity. The equal aging in 3- to 5-year-old barrels and stainless steel tanks ensures a perfect balance of structure and aromatic purity. For a great pairing, try it with slow-cooked lamb shank with dried fruits and almonds, followed by a salted caramel chocolate tart for dessert. These pairings will enhance the wine’s fruity and spicy notes while perfectly balancing its tannic structure.
Muscat de Beaumes de Venise Xavier Vignon: A blend made primarily from 90% Muscat à petits grains blancs and 10% Muscat à petits grains noirs.
Most of the grapes come from clay-limestone soils, with a smaller portion from sandy soils. The wine is aged in Wine Globe, which helps preserve the purity of the fresh fruit aromas. Pair it with a Thai coconut chicken curry—the fruity notes perfectly balance the dish's spices, while its sweetness enhances the exotic flavors. For dessert, it’s an ideal match with a vanilla crème brûlée.
Cheers!