Diary

Save these dates in 2024 for the Gigondas Appellation 

Saturday 25 May 2024

A La Croisée des Terroirs

It’s never too late for a make-over. For its 15th event, the traditional two-wheeled La Croisée des Terroirs is reinventing itself. Now designed for walkers and accessible to a broad-ranging audience, the trail offers an exciting way to explore the Gigondas appellation – it is informative and will appeal to lovers of fine fare and exercise. Ramblers will be accompanied by wine geologist Georges Truc and will be able to see first-hand all the different component parts of terroir, its typicity and variations. And there’s no better way to understand their significance than by feeling, treading and smelling the characteristics of the soil, the sub-soil, the lay of the land, the climate and biodiversity. A tasting of one or several local wines at each stop, in the very place where they were born, offers a chance to admire the landscape and experience sense of place in the glass itself.

And because every effort deserves a reward, walkers will be welcomed on the typical Provencal village square with some outstanding wines – the first white Gigondas freshly out of the cellars. The 2023 vintage was the first one where producers were entitled to append the appellation name to wines in all three colours. A country-style dinner in a festive, musical atmosphere will follow.

Practical information:

Distance: 9 kilometres.

Level of difficulty: average (300m incline).

Minimum age: 6.

Equipment: walking shoes

Times: from 3pm to 7pm for the walk and from 7:30 pm to 11:30 pm for the dinner and evening event.

Registration: Booking is required. The ticket office opens on 1 April 2024

www.billetweb.fr/croisee-des-terroirs

Prices: €40 per adult, €12 per child (up to age 12). Entry tickets provide access to the tastings throughout the walk, a glass of white Gigondas and dinner. For those who want to stay on in the evening, young winegrowers will be manning a bar (€5 a glass and €25 a bottle, irrespective of the winery).

 

Wednesday 12 June 2024

A tasting of the 2023 vintage 

This annual event aims to present a tasting of the vintage currently being matured in the same conditions for journalists, sommeliers and critics as for trade members who will be welcomed by the appellation. It is also an opportunity for attending winegrowers, trading companies, brokers and winemakers to discuss the appellation at their leisure in a friendly atmosphere.

Practical information: Trade only and by invitation only.

 

Thursday 20 June 2024

The Gigondas Paulée  

Over dinner on the village square, winegrowers and their guests share their most treasured wines, honouring not only the Gigondas appellation but also wines from around the world. Everyone brings their own, most highly prized wines in order to share them with other guests.

Practical information: Trade only and by invitation only.

 

Monday 1 July 2024

White Gigondas: press trip 

The press is invited to discover the appellation’s very first white vintage and to celebrate the culmination of many years’ efforts by Gigondas winegrowers and trading companies. It took over ten years for INAO to allow the appellation to be extended to include white wines.

Practical information: By invitation only.

 

12, 13 and 14 July 2024

‘Typoésie’

The fourth ‘Typography and Contemporary Poetry’ exhibition will take place at the Hospices de Gigondas on Friday 12, Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 July. Come meet the publishers of artists’ and painting books and take part in a workshop suitable for all audiences. Time will stand still for three days at the very top of the village, punctuated by readings and classical music and jazz concerts. Tastings of Gigondas wines will be hosted at the end of every morning by young winegrowers and the final evening will have a festive tone to it.

Practical information:

Free admission and no bookings required, refreshments available.

Times: from 10 am to sunset

Website: www.gigondas-typoesie.org

 

Monday 15 July 2024

Gigondas sur Table 

The high point of the summer, this is one event food lovers make sure not to miss. But what has made it so successful for the past ten years? Six chefs and talented artisans make the perfect foil for some forty or so winegrowers and trading companies from the appellation. Their savoury dialogue brings out the very best in Gigondas wines whilst at the same time turning the spotlight on local, seasonal produce. Wining and dining come together to offer enthusiasts from near and far a culinary and vinous treat. Every year, this eclectic crowd gets together to seize a rare opportunity to taste these precious pours in their birthplace with the person who crafted them. And on the Provencal village square nestled amidst the foothills of the majestic Dentelles de Montmirail, everything comes together as the sun goes down.

The icing on the cake for attendees of the 2024 event is an opportunity to taste the first vintage of white Gigondas. This is a unique chance to discover many wines that have only recently left cellars and have yet to step into the limelight. Their colour, their minerality and their freshness broaden the spectrum even further for food pairings. And that has to be a match made in heaven.

Practical information:

Times: from 8pm to 11:30 pm

Registrations: Bookings are required. The ticket office opens on 1 June 2024 www.billetwweb.fr/gigondas-sur-table

Price: 60 euros

 

From Saturday 6 July to Saturday 31 August 2024

Gigondas sensory workshop

Come to Gigondas to test your sense of smell in a bastion of mediaeval history – the Hospices de Gigondas. The winegrowers of Gigondas have partnered with Editions Jean Lenoir to create a tour revolving around scents. Twelve notes in three steps are provided so that visitors can discover the variety of aromatics in the appellation’s wines. An area has been specifically designed to stimulate children’s awareness and sense of smell. A terroir and biodiversity space with an incredible animated film about the geological formation of the Dentelles de Montmirail offers an alternative perspective on our mountain range.

Practical information:

Free admission

Times: From Tuesday to Sunday, from 11 am to 2 pm, and from 3 pm to 7 pm (closed on Mondays)

 

Monday 25 November

The Gigondas Experience in Zurich, Switerzland

Exports are the main sales outlet for Gigondas wines, accounting for 47% of volume sales and Switzerland has a 14% share. The Gigondas appellation continues to conquer the world’s major capitals to develop its reputation and its image among members of the Swiss wine trade. The Gigondas branch of the marketing board is hosting an image-centric event in Zurich, Switzerland, on Monday 25 November 2024.

Practical information: Trade only