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Costières de Nîmes

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Costières de Nîmes

Costières de Nîmes wine, a PDO well worth the detour

Of Roman origin, the Costières de Nîmes vineyard is one of the oldest in Europe, at the junction of Occitania and Provence. Costières de Nîmes wines were appreciated by the Greeks, then the Romans, served to the Popes of Avignon and exported from the 16th century onwards. Geographically in the Languedoc-Roussillon region, but more closely linked to the Côtes du Rhône, Costières de Nîmes stretches from Nîmes to the banks of the Rhône. Costières du Gard became VDQS in 1950, AOC in 1986 and Costières de Nîmes in 1989. Today, the terroir covers 24 communes and extends over 25,000 hectares of hills and plateaus at altitudes of between 20 and 100 metres, of which only half is planted.

On the slopes of the sunny Camargue mountains, the grape varieties that produce these delights benefit from optimal conditions. Villafranchian gravel, low altitude, seaside... 
Given the region's weather conditions, it's not surprising that the Costières de Nîmes appellation is home to some of the world's finest wines.

The Mediterranean climate with maritime influences is characterized by 3 components: sunshine with over 250 days of sunshine a year, rainfall concentrated over a reduced number of days and the Mistral wind, which blows and cleanses the vineyards. Thanks to the water table, the vines avoid summer drought. The terroir of Costières de Nîmes wines, the largest Villafranchian terrace in Europe, is made up of pebbles. This layer, several meters thick, stores up the sun's heat and releases it again at night, as in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. However, unlike its fiery neighbor, the warm mass formed by the pebbles here reinforces the convection effect of the thermal breezes. In fact, from mid-afternoon onwards, the cool sea breezes flowing across the Petite Camargue meet the warm mass of pebbles on their way up the Costières, creating a veritable suction of air. The tempering effect of these breezes reinforces the thermal amplitudes between day and night, which is renowned for preserving the freshness and purity of the fruit in the wines. These different elements produce grapes with great potential and high sugar content.

The grape varieties behind Costières de Nîmes wine

To make an outstanding costières de Nîmes rosé wine, you need exceptional grape varieties. Fortunately, there's no shortage of them in the Rhône region.

To qualify for the Costières de Nîmes appellation, vineyards must use one of the following grape varieties: 
  • Le Bergeron 
  • Carignan  
  • Cinsault 
  • La Clairette 
  • White Grenache 
  • Grenache noir 
  • La Marsanne 
  • Mourvèdre 
  • Le Rolle 
  • La Rousanne 
  • Shiraz 
  • Syrah 
  • Vermentino 
The finest Costières de Nîmes vintages come from Château Mourgues du Grès and Château Mas Neuf.

Cellaring potential of Costières de Nîmes wines

Although costières de Nîmes rosé is the best-known PDO wine, it's far from the only one. In fact, wine enthusiasts will be surprised to discover that the winery also produces red and white wines. 

Despite its exquisite flavor, costières de Nîmes rosé wine is an alcoholic beverage that should be drunk young, just like its white counterpart. A costières de Nîmes red wine, on the other hand, can be kept for 4 to 5 years. 

For lovers of the terroir, it's good to know that costières de Nîmes wine is a beverage that doesn't keep for long. Whether white, red or rosé, it's when it's young that it reveals its finest aromas. 

Characteristics of the appellation costières de Nîmes

The Bordeaux wines covered by the Costières de Nîmes appellation have a color that leaves no one indifferent. Deep, sparkling, with violet highlights when young.

White wines are bright, light yellow. Costières de Nîmes rosé wines range in color from pale pink to violet, before evolving into shades of salmon. 

Costières de Nîmes wine, a delicate beverage on the nose

On the nose, Bordeaux wines from the Costières de Nîmes appellation have an aroma in which red and stone fruits mingle. After a few seconds, this sweet aroma gives way to candied fruit and spices. 

When Costières de Nîmes wine is made with Syrah, it reveals aromas of red fruit and violets. On the other hand, when it includes Grenache, it reveals spicy aromas. 

Costières de Nîmes rosé wines are floral and fruity, with hints of ripe banana. White wines, on the other hand, are filled with floral aromas, notably acacia, and hints of citrus and exotic fruit.

Whether rosé, white or red, the beverages grouped under the costières de Nîmes appellation are well worth the detour. 
More information on the Costières de Nîmes

Buy the best Costières de Nîmes wines in private sale!

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Our latest sales of Costières de Nîmes wines

Château Mourgues du Grès - Costières de Nîmes Capitelle rouge 2020

Wine rated 4.3/5Wine rated 4.3/5Wine rated 4.3/5Wine rated 4.3/5Wine rated 4.3/5

4.3/5 (3 reviews)

91/100 James Suckling

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90/100 Bettane & Desseauve

spicy
irresistible
meat in sauce
old vines

"Refined structure, volume and complexity characterize this wine for laying down".

"A dense, compact, textured red made from old Syrah, Grenache and Carignan vines. The nose presents notes of black fruit, licorice, grilled herbs and cloves. Full-bodied, with fine, firm tannins. Robust and concentrated, with a chalky finish." (James Suckling 2024)

Château Mourgues du Grès - Costières de Nîmes Galets Rouges 2023

90/100 James Suckling

(Vintage 2022 notes)
gourmet
barbecue
quality-price

"A consensual cuvée that's both generous and fruity!

Cuvée Galets Rouges evokes the minerality of the pebbly terroir with its reddish hues. The wine's intensity is already evident in its deep, purplish color. Generous in black fruit and supported by spicy, licorice notes, this Costières de Nîmes is greedy and full-bodied. A true red pleasure!

Château Mourgues du Grès - Costières de Nîmes Galets Dorés 2023

Rated 4/5Rated 4/5Rated 4/5Rated 4/5Rated 4/5

4/5 (5 reviews)

91/100 James Suckling

white fruit
fish
spring

"Generous and lively, this is the estate's must-have white!"

"A fresh, lively, textured blend of Grenache Blanc, Roussanne and Vermentino. Notes of fresh lemon, warm herbs and stones on the nose. Medium-bodied, with a fresh core of blanched almonds and sliced green pears for freshness and balance. Lively and well composed." (James Suckling 2024)

Domaine de Poulvarel - Costères de Nîmes rosé 2023

delicate
tangy fruits
rosé de saignée

"Notes of raspberries, wild strawberries and pink pepper for a smooth, gourmet mouthfeel!"

This Costières de Nîmes rosé de saignée has a pretty pomelo-pink hue. The nose reveals pretty red fruits and delicate floral notes. Ideal with Provencal cuisine!

Domaine de Poulvarel - Costières de Nîmes blanc 2023

Rated 3/5Rated 3/5Rated 3/5Rated 3/5Rated 3/5

3/5 (1 review)

charmer
citrus
goat's cheese

"A true pleasure wine, ideal as an aperitif".

White fruit and citrus aromas with a fresh touch of menthol. Tasty and well-balanced on the palate. A lovely, well-balanced Grenache Blanc and Roussanne duo!

Domaine de Poulvarel - Costières de Nîmes rouge 2022

Wine rated 4.3/5Wine rated 4.3/5Wine rated 4.3/5Wine rated 4.3/5Wine rated 4.3/5

4.3/5 (3 reviews)

2*Étoiles Hachette

(2020 vintage notes)
gourmet
long finish
Gem

"Fruit, mocha and peppercorns!"

A fine representative of Costières de Nîmes reds! Fresh black fruit, plum, pepper with very "garrigue" notes. The palate is energetic, with lots of fruit and structure! A pleasant finish with chocolate accents.

Château Mourgues du Grès - Costières de Nîmes Galets Rosés 2023

Rated 3.6/5Rated 3.6/5Rated 3.6/5Rated 3.6/5Rated 3.6/5

3.6/5 (8 reviews)

90/100 Wine Enthusiast

-

89/100 Vinous

(Vintage 2022 notes)
exotic cuisine
rosé de saignée
gourmet wine

"A surprising rosé with fine strawberry notes enhanced by a hint of salt, the ideal table rosé!"

This rosé de saignée from the southern Rhône Valley is revealed in a garnet-red color. Luscious aromas of wild strawberry, raspberry, redcurrant and lemon mint mingle in the glass. The palate, supported by fine acidity, presents mineral and fruity notes, with great breadth, depth and freshness.

Château Mourgues du Grès - Costières de Nîmes Equinoxe rouge 2019

Double Médaille d'Or Gilbert & Gaillard

fruity
elegant
to be penned
racy
meat in sauce

"The refinement of Costières

"Deep red with purple streaks. Discreet nose combining stone fruit, redcurrant, fine spices, liquorice and dried vegetables. A velvety, full-bodied palate that expresses itself more readily, displaying beautiful, pure, refined intensity and a long finish." (Le Guide Gilbert & Gaillard 2022). A very fine Costières for laying down.

Château Mourgues du Grès - Costières de Nîmes Capitelle rosé 2021

Rated 4/5Rated 4/5Rated 4/5Rated 4/5Rated 4/5

4/5 (1 review)

92/100 Bettane & Desseauve

-

89/100 Wine Enthusiast

(2020 vintage notes)
fish
Sweet and Sour
Asian cuisine
rosé de saignée
originality

"A winter rosé to discover.

A rosé in winter? Perfectly! This rosé has incredible aromatic richness. Have fun tasting it blind, you might mistake it for a white. On the palate, it's a veritable concentrate of wild strawberry and rose, enveloped in a beautiful minerality. This cuvée is perfect for food and wine pairings; try it with sushi, red mullet with tomato, sweet and sour dishes... This rosé, known as "de saignée", meaning a few hours of maceration before extraction of the lightly colored juice, can be kept for several years. An original wine to discover!

Château Mourgues du Grès - Costière de Nîmes Capitelle blanc 2021

90/100 James Suckling

elegant
concentrate
fish
old vines

"A perfect white for gourmets".

"A medium-bodied, fruity blend of Grenache blanc and Vermentino, this wine has aromas of peach and quince jelly, as well as a round, spicy finish. Produced from biodynamically grown grapes." (James Suckling 2024)

Domaine de Poulvarel - Costières de Nîmes Les Perrottes 2020

generous
long finish
expressive
lamb shoulder

This blend of predominantly Syrah, Grenache and Cinsault offers an expressive nose with notes of truffle, black fruit, cocoa bean and menthol. The palate is full and generous, fresh and silky, with a long finish. Les Perrottes 2020, a real treat!

Domaine Gassier - Costières de Nîmes Lou Coucardié rouge 2017

Wine rated 3.3/5Wine rated 3.3/5Wine rated 3.3/5Wine rated 3.3/5Wine rated 3.3/5

3.3/5 (3 reviews)

93-95/100 Jeb Dunnuck

-

90-92/100 Robert Parker

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91/100 James Suckling

-

15,5/20 Bettane & Desseauve

full-bodied
rich
long finish
red meat

"The 2017 Costières de Nîmes Lou Coucardié reminds me a little of a classic old-school Bandol with its ripe, seductive and incredibly fleshy profile. Loaded with fruit and offering plenty of spicy meat, garrigue, pepper and new saddle leather aromas, as well as full-bodied richness, soft tannins and a great finish, this is one hell of a Costières de Nîmes. It can be drunk now, but it has enough tannin to justify short cellaring and should evolve nicely for more than a decade. (Jeb Dunnuck)

Château d'Or et de Gueules - Costières de Nîmes Les Cimels blanc 2021

Rated 3.4/5Rated 3.4/5Rated 3.4/5Rated 3.4/5Rated 3.4/5

3.4/5 (5 reviews)

citrus
white flowers
goat's cheese

From the latest vintage, this fresh white is explosively fruity, with a very pleasant nose of citrus fruit and white flowers. On the palate, it's taut and fresh, with fruit that's best enjoyed young. A pleasure cuvée, full of pep!

Château d'Or et de Gueules - Costières de Nîmes Les Cimels rouge 2020

Rated 3.9/5Rated 3.9/5Rated 3.9/5Rated 3.9/5Rated 3.9/5

3.9/5 (7 reviews)

syrah
red berries
guaranteed fun

"Bouquet de fruits en Occitan

Les Cimels is a predominantly Syrah cuvée with 30% Carignan vinified in carbonic maceration, to give it a fruitier, more approachable character. A veritable bouquet of fruit, this pretty red is supple and silky with delicate spicy nuances. A well-balanced wine that goes perfectly with a piece of red meat!

Château d'Or et de Gueules - Costières de Nîmes Trassegum 2017

Rated 3.7/5Rated 3.7/5Rated 3.7/5Rated 3.7/5Rated 3.7/5

3.7/5 (6 reviews)

91/100 Wine Enthusiast

-

Cité Hachette

spicy
fleshy
silky
black fruits
character

"Enveloping notes of fresh green herbs and menthol lend invigorating freshness to the crisp black cherry and raspberry notes in this blend of Syrah, Mourvèdre and Carignan. Full-bodied and ample, yet vibrantly balanced. The finish is marked by a touch of cassis and fine tannins. Drink now through 2027." (Wine Enthusiast 2020)