I was reading an article on the most famous cycle race in the world, the Tour de France, it’s history and specifically it’s toughest stages last week and having recently added a cracking new, absolute bargain of a Rhône red to the Inspiring Wines list, ‘Domaine Bresquières ‘Les Contreforts’ – Ventoux’ (@ £4.99) as the name suggests from the Ventoux region of Provence, it got me to thinking about the famous, or should that be infamous, Mont Ventoux and the notoriety that surrounds it with cycling fans everywhere for the part it has played over the years in ‘Le Tour’.
Whilst Mont Ventoux may send a shiver down the spine of any Tour competitor who has ever had to climb it, and for that matter all the regular club riders and have-a-go amateurs who try every year. (You too can have a go if you wish? There are loads of organised tours up the mountain or you can just turn up with your bike! The road summit is a mere 1617m over 21.8km with an average gradient around 7.4%. No? Okay…)
But having researched the mountain and the area, it is clear that it is so much more than just somewhere Le Tour passes through each year.
The Grenache and Syrah grapes for the ‘Domaine Bresquières ‘Les Contreforts’ are grown on ‘Les Contreforts’ or the granite foothills of the mountain, hence the name. This Southern Rhone terroir with protection from the mountain is perfect for growing these and many other grape varieties, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Syrah and Red Carignan to name but a few and there are many great wines produced in the area.
Take a look at the Ventoux AOC site for lots more information on the region.
All the Ventoux vineyards primarily sit to the east of the Rhône Valley, extending over 51 communes in the Département of Vaucluse. Bordered to the south by the commune of Cavaillon and protected from the mistral winds by Mont Ventoux itself and the Dentelles de Montmirail range.
The entire area is recognised by UNESCO as a ‘Biosphere reserve’ to protect it and the nature it supports. If you are ever find yourself in Provence, somewhere near Avignon, go and see for yourself, Ventoux and the surrounding area is without doubt a place of outstanding natural beauty. And you can treat yourself to some fabulous wines at the same time.
But really and if I am honest why my interest was piqued in the first place, for anyone who has even a passing interest in ‘Le Tour’, and I do, will be fully aware of Mont Ventoux and its legend.
It has often been said that it is the toughest climb on the tour gaining the nickname ‘The Beast of Provence’ but whilst it is no doubt a very tough climb, it is down to one incident that much of its infamy is attributed.
On 13th July 1967 a 29 year old Englishman named Tom Simpson collapsed and died on the climb up Mont Ventoux during that stage of the 1967 Tour, he had been the first British rider to wear the coveted yellow jersey and was an extremely talented and promising rider, who, no doubt had a great career ahead of him. His death was later attributed to a combination of factors including a stomach bug, heat exhaustion, alcohol and amphetamines in his bloodstream.
Even though it is 50 years ago, it has remained a sad loss to the world of cycling, a memorial now sits close to where Tom died which is a place of pilgrimage for many Tour fans every year. They leave cycling mementos on the stone in his memory.
Somewhat annoyingly whilst researching this post I found out that the ‘Beast’ is not actually included on the route for the 2017 Tour, (the tour route often changes from year to year), which is a real shame in what would be the 50th anniversary of Tom Simpsons tragic death and would have been a fitting tribute.
But Mont Ventoux is not just the site of a cycling tragedy it is also a place of incredible beauty, rising up to a peak of 1912 metres, it has been venerated by poets over the years, is loved by walkers and has long been a region for scientific study.True to its name, it can get extremely windy on top, venteux meaning windy in French, although there is a school of thought that links the name to an ancient Gaulish god of the mountain ‘Vintur’ or is based around the Gallic phrase ‘Ven-Top’ (snowy peak).Wherever its name comes from it definitely gets very windy up there, especially with the mistral wind speeds which have been recorded at more than 320 km/h. In fact, the wind blows at over 90 km/h for an average of 240 days a year and the roads over the summit are regularly closed.
Whilst geologically part of the Alps it is not really considered an Alp as such as it stands alone to the north of the Luberon range, the top of the mountain is totally bare, primarily limestone which makes the mountain’s barren peak appear from a distance to be snow-capped all the time and it is regularly snow covered between December and April.
So, Mont Ventoux is unquestionably a sad place, a stunningly beautiful place and a very windy place. It is also a place you should take the opportunity to visit if it ever comes about. But you may not have been aware it is also a place that produces some amazing wines, maybe not one of the Rhône Valleys most well know wine regions but certainly one you should be looking out for.
Wines from this region, especially reds, don’t command the prices of their counterparts from further north up the Rhône Valley but do display all the qualities of a great Rhône red.
Our ‘Domaine Bresquières ‘Les Contreforts’ is a perfect example and currently available at an amazing price of £4.99. (Which at the moment with our free delivery on 6 offer, means you can get 6 bottles delivered to your door for less than 30 quid!) We have very limited stock at this price so don’t miss out.
It is an extremely tasty red with elegance and balance, offering bright and juicy Grenache streaked with Syrah spice. Black cherries, woody herbs and a backbone of tannin give the wine structure. It displays natural acidity which adds longevity and it will mature further in the bottle, this one will be good for some years to come however once you’ve tasted it you’ll do well to keep them very long.
Le Tour 2017 begins in Dusseldorf on 1st July – Take a look at the official site to find out more about the 2017 Tour de France, the route, the riders and the teams.
Written by Dean Spencer – Director – Inspiring Wines
