Gigondas AC

[zhee-gawn-dah; zhee-gawn-dahss] Gigondas AC was upgraded from côtes du rhône-villages ac status to its own appellation in 1971. It surrounds the village of the same name, which is located northeast of châteauneuf-du-pape in France's southern rhône region. The wines are mainly red, with a small amount of rosé. The main grape variety is grenache, which is blended with cinsaut, mourvèdre and syrah. Gigondas wines are generally big and robust and require several years of bottle aging to soften.