Why Ventoux Belongs on Your Rhône Radar
If you enjoy Rhône reds but tend to stop at Châteauneuf-du-Pape or Gigondas, Ventoux is a region well worth exploring. Its higher elevations and cooler nights can bring a fresher, more lifted expression to Grenache and Syrah. When Nick from Areni Selections brought the 2022 Champ-Long Ventoux in for our team to taste this week, that balance immediately stood out. The wine had the ripe red fruit, pepper and spice we look for in a Southern Rhône red, but with an energy and freshness that kept it feeling lively rather than heavy.
2022 Domaine Champ-Long AOC Ventoux, from Ventoux in the Southern Rhône, comes from a family-owned estate in Entrechaux at the foot of Mont Ventoux. The domaine dates back to 1820 and today farms roughly 30 hectares across Ventoux and Côtes du Rhône, with vineyards planted on a mix of sandy soils and stony clay-limestone slopes. The estate is certified organic.
Ventoux has become an increasingly interesting appellation within the Southern Rhône. Grenache and Syrah remain the key red grapes, but elevation and varied exposures can give the wines a fresher profile than many people expect from this part of France. Ventoux's shift from simple volume production toward more individual, estate-driven wines that reflect specific vineyard sites and soils.
The 2022 vintage was warm and dry throughout much of the Southern Rhône. It produced ripe, concentrated reds, and Grenache performed particularly well in the heat. In Ventoux, altitude and cooler nighttime temperatures can help maintain balance, which is especially valuable in a vintage like 2022.
Champ-Long's style is rooted in traditional Southern Rhône varieties, especially Grenache and Syrah. Expect ripe red and dark fruit, dried herbs, pepper and warm spice, with supple tannins and enough freshness to keep the wine lively at the table.
For a seasonal pairing, take advantage of the abundance of late-summer vegetables by making a classic vegetable tian, a Provençal dish of layered tomatoes, zucchini and eggplant baked with olive oil and herbs. It is a natural match for Ventoux, echoing the wine's Mediterranean character while letting its freshness balance the sweetness of the roasted vegetables.
Recipe: Vegetable Tian à la Provençale | La Cuisine de Géraldine
