France — wine

Costières de Nîmes AOC

The southernmost Rhône appellation on river-deposited galets (rounded stones) between Nîmes and the Camargue, producing Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre reds plus Clairette and Grenache Blanc whites. The galets act as a solar battery storing daytime heat and releasing it at night — the same mechanism as Châteauneuf. Costières de Nîmes offers Rhône Southern style at Languedoc prices, making it among France's best wine values for everyday Mediterranean drinking.

Year Rating Notes
2023 Good Southern French vintage; concentrated galets Grenache with herb freshness
2022 Outstanding year; Grande Cassagne Hippolyte showed exceptional depth
2021 Cooler than usual; aromatic, fresh reds and precise whites
2020 Hot Languedoc summer; concentrated, structured Grenache-Syrah blends
2019 Benchmark Costières vintage; best value Southern Rhône in a decade
2018 Early warm harvest; opulent, approachable style with genuine depth
2017 Drought year; reduced yields concentrated flavour in surviving vines