Definition: Nîmes AOC (Costières-de-)

Languedoc region. Production area located within 24 municipalities in the Gard department, from south-east of Nîmes to north of the Camargue, between the Gardon and Vidourle valleys on one side and the Vistre valley on the other. Classified as an AOC in 1986. Area under production: nearly 3,400 hectares. White grape varieties: Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache, Macabeu, Marsanne, Rolle and Roussanne. A blend of at least two grape varieties is mandatory for producing white wines. These seven grape varieties can also be used to produce rosé wines, up to a maximum of 10%; red wines: Carignan (maximum 40%), Grenache (minimum 25%), Mourvèdre and Syrah together or separately, minimum 20%. Vinified as: white (5%), rosé (15%) and the vast majority as red. It can be kept for: 2 to 3 years for whites and rosés; 2 to 5 years for reds. Ideal serving temperature: between 8 and 10°C for whites and rosés; between 16 and 17°C for reds. Pair with: white wines with shellfish and crustaceans, monkfish skewers; rosé wines with cold meats, served with or without raw vegetables; red wines with roast chicken with lemon or grilled red meat.