Provence wines

Provence scores 7 areas of wine production, and the best way to understand them is to know each one’s own personality. The appellations of Provence Wines are located in the departments of Var, Bouches-du-Rhone and Alpes-Maritimes. Schematically, the white of Provence is rather floral and fruity, the Provence Rosé is dry and fruity, and the red is rather carpented and tannic.

COTES DE PROVENCE: THE FLAGSHIP APPELLATION

Although there are about ten appellations on more than 26,000 hectares, three appellations account for 96 % of the production: 74% in Cotes de Provence, 16% in Coteaux d’Aix en Provence and 10% in Coteaux Varois. Provence also produces Vins de Pays, today called PGI (Protected Geographical Indication), there are several according to the geographical area of origin and production. The specificity of certain soils on the Cotes-de-Provence appellation also led to the subdivision of the regional designation: the Geographical Denomination of Terroir or Climate (GDC). There are 5 “super appellations”: GDC Sainte-Victoire, Fréjus, La Londe, Notre-Dame des Anges and Pierrefeu.

THE STAR: ROSE OF PROVENCE

Provence produces mostly Rosé Wines. Indeed, approximately according to the vintages, there are 88% Rosé, 9% Red and only 3% White. With 42% of national production, Provence is the first region in France producing Rosé Wine. However, Provence Wines are also known and recognised for the Cassis Wines, Bandol Wines and appellations such as Palette or Bellet which have made themselves known for their high quality despite their small area.