Influenced by sea
Born from land
Between the Cévennes, Rhône and Camargue is Costières de Nîmes: a surprisingly cool wine region.
Unveiling a Bold New Identity
In a bold and strategic move in 2024, the Costières de Nîmes appellation reveals a complete transformation of their image. This initiative, far more than a simple aesthetic change, marks a crucial step that aims to clarify the positioning of the appellation by looking to the future, uniting winemakers around a common vision, improving appellation recognition, faithfully reflecting the values and quality of Costières wines, and strengthening the personality of this singular terroir, the cradle of viticulture in France.
A bold visual identity reflecting renewed ambition
The new visual identity of the Costières de Nîmes is not just a change of look. It embodies a vision, that of an appellation evolving with the times while remaining true to its roots. The clean, elegant, and modern design of their new logo reflects the personality of their wines, while appealing to a broader and younger audience. This aesthetic evolution is the reflection of a thoughtful strategy, aiming to seduce a new generation of wine enthusiasts.
Influenced by sea
Born from land
Deepening the bond to its unique terroir
In the large family of the Rhône Valley Vineyards, the Costières de Nîmes are reflection of an outstanding terroir that blends character and freshness.
This new visual identity strengthens this connection, highlighting the unique personality of the marine breezes from the Mediterranean Sea and the iconic rounded pebbles from the Rhône Valley terroir.
Costières de Nîmes:
Embodying the Vibrant Spirit of the South
A true mosaic of cultures, histories, and traditions, the Costières de Nîmes stands out with a rich history spanning over 2,500 years. Each era has left its mark, influences reflected in the architecture, cuisine, language, and local customs.
Beyond these tangible aspects, it’s the spirit of the South that resonates here, an intangible heritage passed down from generation to generation. This unique lifestyle, bathed in sunshine and nurtured by generous land, defines the very essence of this southernmost terroir of the Rhône Valley.
A true mosaic of cultures, histories, and traditions, the Costières de Nîmes stands out with a rich history spanning over 2,500 years. Each era has left its mark, influences reflected in the architecture, cuisine, language, and local customs.
Beyond these tangible aspects, it’s the spirit of the South that resonates here, an intangible heritage passed down from generation to generation. This unique lifestyle, bathed in sunshine and nurtured by generous land, defines the very essence of this southernmost terroir of the Rhône Valley.
Where architecture and winegrowing intertwine
Monuments and landscapes tell the tales of past civilizations. Take the Nîmes Arena, for example, standing proudly among the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world. The Maison Carrée, a breathtaking Roman temple, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, testifies to the grandeur of Nîmes in antiquity. The vine – present five centuries before our era – since the time of the Greeks, flourished under Roman civilization and anchored the region, creating a living link between past and present.
Where the spirit of celebration comes alive
Festivals and celebrations punctuate the year, embodying this authentic festive culture. Ferias, music festivals, and village votive festivities are all opportunities to come together with a sense of celebration. Living in the Costières de Nîmes means embracing a state of mind, a philosophy of life where time flows peacefully. Here, simple pleasures are savored, and well-being, relaxation, and joy of living are valued. It’s a place where taking one’s time is not a luxury, but an art of living that is cultivated daily.
A unique cultural heritage
Mediterranean culture, a set of traditions, practices, and lifestyles, has flourished for centuries in this region. It manifests itself in the local cuisine, famous for its fresh, simple, and flavorful products celebrated for their health benefits.
The warm summers and mild winters, characteristic of the Mediterranean climate, play a central role in daily life. The omnipresent sun influences moods, casts vibrant colors across the landscapes, and shapes the cadence of daily activities. Village squares, café terraces, and open-air markets become favored gathering places, where people linger to chat, people-watch, and savor moments of conviviality.
A unique terroir shaped by the Rhône and influenced by the sea
Deeply rooted in the identity of the Rhône Valley vineyards with its iconic terraces of rolled pebbles, the terroir of the Costières de Nîmes is distinguished by a convergence of exceptional sunshine and cooling marine breezes. The significant thermal amplitude that ensues from this interplay of warmth and sea-driven airflow gives Costières de Nîmes wines their unique freshness and vibrant personality.
More than 2.5 million years ago, the Rhône, with the help of the Durance, sculpted this landscape at the gates of Nîmes, depositing a vast terrace of pebbles also found in the appellations of Lirac and Châteauneuf-du- Pape. Over time, rolled and polished by the river, these raw materials transformed under the influence of the climate. Only the most robust, the quartzites, resisted, while rich clays tinted with iron oxides took shape.
The climate of the Costières de Nîmes is marked by remarkable sunshine, with over 250 sun-drenched days each year. Precipitation, although rare, is concentrated mainly in autumn, giving rise to some spectacular late summer storms. As in the entire Rhône Valley, the mistral blows here throughout the year, playing a crucial role in the health and quality of the vines.
The clays provide the vine with the water and essential minerals for its development, while the rolled pebbles prevent water stagnation on the surface. The sea breeze, coming from the Mediterranean and the Camargue ponds, softens the intense summer heat and tempers the southern effect of the sun. It is in this natural alchemy that the magic of the Costières de Nîmes operates, resulting in generous, vibrant, and luminous wines, imbued with a remarkable history and atypical freshness.
How the thermal breeze is the appellation superpower
The paradox of the Costières de Nîmes vineyard is that it is the southernmost in the Rhône Valley but also the coolest. The situation of the Petite Camargue, outside the two arms of the Rhône delta, exposes the Costières directly to the sea influences.
Résult, when the cool, summer marine breezes meet the warm mass of the rolled pebble terraces, a convection effect creates strong ventilation, hence a significant thermal amplitude between day and night, hence preserving the freshness of the fruit. This specific climate of Costières de Nîmes has a profound effect on the appellation’s wines, developing their fruit aromas and giving them remarkable freshness.
Résult, when the cool, summer marine breezes meet the warm mass of the rolled pebble terraces, a convection effect creates strong ventilation, hence a significant thermal amplitude between day and night, hence preserving the freshness of the fruit. This specific climate of Costières de Nîmes has a profound effect on the appellation’s wines, developing their fruit aromas and giving them remarkable freshness.