All about the wines of Provence

A few words about the region

Provence is known for its rocky mountains, its lavender-scented fields, but most of all for its wine! It all started 2600 years ago, when the Phoceans founded Marseille and introduced the vine. Four centuries after the Phoceans, with the settlement of the Romans on the land of Provence, the cultivation of grapes became prolific and spread rapidly throughout the country, making Provence the first wine region in France.

Its wine region stretches for nearly 200 km between the Mediterranean and the Alps, in the Var and the Bouches-du-Rhône, as well as a single village in the Alpes-Maritimes. Marked by a varied topography of natural sites, rocky and volcanic mountain ranges and a coastline alternating between fine sandy beaches and steep paths along the azure blue Mediterranean, the landscape of Provence is unique in the world. This landscape includes the restanques: steep terraces on which vineyards are planted, as well as the walls and groves of trees typical of the region. These elements structure the landscape and protect its biodiversity by sheltering all kinds of wild species.

In Provence,wine is not just a product; discovering a wine from Provence means understanding where it comes from, immersing oneself in the terroir and the environment.immersing yourself in the land that gave it its character, as well as meeting the people who made it...

The main appellations of Provence

Coteaux d'Aix enProvence:The Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence appellation covers more than 4,100 hectares (more than 10,300 acres) and is located in 47 communes in the Bouches-du-Rhône and Var departments. This area mainly includes: the western part of limestone Provence and extends from the Durance River in the north to the Mediterranean in the south, then from the Rhône in the west to the Sainte-Victoire Mountain in the east, encircling the city of Aix-en-Provence which gave its name to the AOC appellation. The landscape is relatively unified with a series of eroded mountain ranges (with peaks over 1000 meters), sedimentary basins and secondary limestone ranges. The rosés of Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence are light, supple, fruity and floral. Most of them are appreciated young. Their color is pale pink with a bright glow. The reds are balanced and fruity. Their nose presents floral notes of violet or notes of other plants such as hay, laurel or tobacco, which give way to more evolved nuances such as cinnamon. The whites are fresh with fruity and floral notes.

Côtes de Provence:The Côtes de Provence appellation is vast, covering more than 20,000 hectares (just under 49,500 acres) in 84 communities, of which 68 are in the Var department, 15 in the Bouches-du-Rhône and one community in the Alpes-Maritimes. The area extends from limestone Provence in the west and north (Montagne Sainte-Victoire), to crystalline Provence in the south and east (Maures and Massif de l'Esterel). The AOC region is subject to a Mediterranean climate characterized by unique winds (including the Mistral). The average annual temperatures vary between 12°C and 15°C and rainfall is very low (varying between 600 and 900 millimeters). The duration of sunshine remains very long and lasts from 2700 to 3000 hours.

The rosés of Côtes de Provence have a pale pink color. Depending on their origin, these very expressive wines present a palette of flavors that is either fruity (white fruits, citrus, exotic fruits, berries, etc.) or floral, combined with mineral or empyreumatic notes, supported by a balanced structure, between roundness and intensity.The red wines of Côtes de Provence have a dark color and are divided into two types: first, the fruity red wines that spend little time in the cellar and should be enjoyed quickly and, second, the cellar wines that have complex flavors of dark berries, cocoa, spices as well as powerful silky tannins, obtained through longer vatting times.The white wines of Côtes de Provence are dry, have a light yellow color with green reflections. They offer aromas of fruity citrus, floral (white flowers), balsamic or honey.

Coteaux Varois en Provence:The Coteaux Varois en Provence appellation covers more than 2700 hectares (6700 acres) in 28 communities in the Var department. The Coteaux Varois en Provence wine region is located in the heart of limestone Provence, between the Sainte-Baume massif to the south and the Gorges du Verdon to the north, around Brignoles, former summer residence of the Counts of Provence. The landscape is characterized by pronounced mountainous reliefs which culminate from 600 to more than 1000 meters in the Sainte-Baume massif. The altitude of the vineyards, varying between 350 and 500 meters, and the presence of rocky limestone mountain ranges that block the maritime influences, make the Mediterranean climate of this area a little more continental. The vines are also subject to the influence of the violent, cold and dry winds of the northern Mistral. Annual rainfall varies between 700 and 900 millimeters, and the average temperature hovers around 13°C. The rosé wines of Coteaux Varois en Provence are dry with a very bright pink color. They are characterized by aromas of fresh fruit - often berries - and spicy notes where the garrigue, evocative of thyme, rosemary, broom and juniper, further enriches the complexity of this aromatic capacity. These wines present a nice balance between freshness and structure in the mouth.The reds of Coteaux Varois en Provence are generous, structured and age well. Their tannins are rich and silky and they are marked by fruity notes that evolve towards a taste of spices and garrigue.The whites are dry and delicately aromatic. They present a nice balance between freshness and roundness.

The wines of Provence

Rosé wines:

With an average annual production of 150 million bottles of rosé, Provence is the leading French region for rosé production and supplies about 5% of the world's rosé wines. The region even has a center dedicated to rosé wine; the objective is to improve its quality through research and experimentation.

In Provence, there are two main techniques dedicated exclusively to its production: cold maceration or direct pressing. The choice between one of the two techniques is guided by several factors: the maturity of the harvest, the grape varieties vinified and their sensory potential, the choice of proportions during the blending and the desired flavor. In both cases, making a rosé requires as much meticulousness in order to obtain a color as well as attractive aromas that are both delicate and expressive; peach, melon, mango, grapefruit, tangerine and red currant are the six main colors that a Provence rosé can have.

The reds :

We shouldn't talk about Provence and forget to mentionits superb red wines. With their power and their robust character, these wines warm us up in winter. Their purple color has purple reflections in their youth while ruby hues appear with the years. They are divided into two types: first, the red wines that emit fruity notes reminding us of red fruits and that spend little time in the cellar and must be tasted quickly and, in the second time, the red wines that emit fruity notes reminding us of red fruits.The second type is the cellar wines, which have complex flavors of dark berries, cocoa, spices and powerful silky tannins, obtained through longer vatting times. With age, the red wines of Provence reveal a whole new character. You will find in Provence red wines that are supple in the mouth but also sometimes rustic and powerful.

White wines :

The white wines of Provence have long been the darlings of Provençal restaurateurs, going perfectly with Mediterranean cuisine and its fish. The white wines of Provence spoil us with their subtlety and finesse. They offer us a brilliant pale yellow color with green reflections. On the nose, this wine is discreet and sometimes emits aromas of citrus, flowers, and even some spices like pepper. They are structured, fresh and are also suitable for aging. For gastronomy, a white wine of Provence will perfectly accompany a good bouillabaisse!

The main grape varieties of Provence

The white grapes of Provence include: Rolle, Ugni Blanc, Bourboulenc, Clairette, Marsanne, Roussanne and Grenache Blanc. There are also the Bordeaux grapes of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon (which are sanctioned in some regions.) Regional grapes such as Pascal, Terret Blanc, Spagnol and Pignerol are still used but are rapidly disappearing.

Most of the traditional red grapes used in Provence can be found elsewhere in France, including: Grenache Noir, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Cinsault, Counoise, Tannat and Cabernet Sauvignon. There are, however, red varieties unique to Provence, including Tibourne, Braquet, Calitour, Folle Noir and Barbaroux.