Provence

Overview

A remarkable 88% of Provence's wine production is devoted to rosé! This captivating region stretches along France's Mediterranean coast, with the Rhône River to the west and the Côte d’Azur to the east. Though it spans just 150 miles in length and 100 miles from north to south, its influence is immense.

Provence boasts a winemaking heritage that spans over 2600 years, making it the oldest wine-producing area in France. It's unique for its singular focus on rosé and houses the world's only research institute dedicated to this style. Provence is distinguished by its rocky mountain racing roads, exquisite wines, and fragrant lavender fields. The region's soils range from limestone and clay to schist and sandy soils, each imparting distinct characteristics to the wines.

Classification

Provence has several wine classifications, including Appellations d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) and Indication Géographique Protégée (IGP) designations. These classifications ensure the quality and authenticity of the wines produced in the region. Côtes de Provence AOC is the largest AOC in Provence, covering a vast area and accounting for 89% of Provence's rosé wine production.

Key Grape Varieties

Provence is renowned for its rosé wines, primarily produced from key grape varieties such as Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Tibouren, and Carignan. Grenache contributes rich fruit flavours like strawberry and raspberry, adding body and warmth, while Cinsault offers lightness and aromatic qualities with fresh, fruity notes. Syrah enhances the blend with colour, structure, and spiciness, bringing darker fruit flavours and hints of pepper and herbs. Mourvèdre adds complexity and depth with dark fruit and earthy undertones, providing aging potential. Tibouren, a traditional but less common grape, imparts a distinctive herbal and floral character, along with red fruit notes, adding uniqueness. Carignan is included for its acidity and vibrant fruit flavours, ensuring freshness and balance in the wine. These varieties are expertly blended to create Provence's distinctive rosé wines, known for their pale pink colour, refreshing acidity, and complex flavour profiles, making them highly regarded worldwide.

Key Sub Regions

Provence's key wine subregions each offer unique characteristics that contribute to the region's renowned diversity. The largest subregion, Côtes de Provence, includes notable areas like Sainte-Victoire, Fréjus, La Londe, and Pierrefeu, each with distinct terroirs that produce exceptional rosés and other wines. Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence, the second largest, is celebrated for its vibrant, fruity rosés and robust reds. Coteaux Varois en Provence, located in the heart of Provence, benefits from cooler climates and higher altitudes, resulting in well-balanced and aromatic wines. Bandol is distinguished for its robust, age-worthy reds primarily made from Mourvèdre, alongside high-quality rosés and whites. Cassis is famous for its fresh, mineral-driven white wines, influenced by limestone-rich soils and maritime climate. Palette, though small, is prestigious for its diverse range of complex and aging wines. Lastly, Bellet near Nice produces unique, aromatic wines that reflect the coastal climate and diverse grape varieties. Each subregion's distinctive geography, climate, and grape varieties contribute to the rich tapestry of Provençal wines. 

Key Producers

There are 8 sub regions in Provence and we offer 1 of them.