In the southeast corner of France, the famous region of Provence has an interesting viticultural sector focused on strong red wines.
The vineyards of Provence spread between the cities of Avignon and Cannes, east of Languedoc-Roussillon. The region consists of diverse landscapes with a few ranges of hills sheltering the vines against the harsh mistral. The region's appellations are fewer and less known than Languedoc-Roussillon's ones.
Côtes de Provence is the largest AOC, spreading from Toulon to Cannes and Draguignan and produces mostly rosé wines.
The main appellations of Provence
Near the city of Toulon, AOC Bandol is considered as the best appellation in Provence. The elevated south facing vineyards enable the grapes to reach their full ripeness and the maritime winds temper the extreme heat. The producers in Bandol make excellent strong red wines with sharp tannins and herbaceous notes.
The big appellation of AOC Coteaux d'Aix en Provence stretches from Luberon to the Mediterranean Sea with a production focused on rosé and red wines. Beaux de Provence's red and rosé wines have earned in 1995 the AOC status. Here the optimal climate allows the producers to use an organic viticulture to make fruity red wines.
Around the city of Brignoles, the inland AOC Coteaux Varois consists of elevated vineyards under cooler conditions. The wines made of the region's typical varieties are clearly more intense than the wines of Côtes de Provence.
Provence has a few small appellations like Cassis which produces refreshing light white wines. In the southeast of Côtes de Provence, AOC Palette has a few vineyards on chalky soils which make interesting rosé, red and white wines. In the north of Nice, AOC Bellet is located on a mountainous cold site and produces aromatic dry white wines.
Grapes in Provence
Mourvèdre in Bandol is used to make strong dark wines with powerful tannins. These wines have to age to reveal their succulent bouquet of berries, meat, spices and liquorice.
Syrah, Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon are also cultivated to make interesting red wines in Provence. The famous rosé of the region is a blend of Cinsaut and Grenache.
Best producers in Provence
Domaine Richeaume, Château de Pibarnon, Château Pradeaux, Domaine Tempier, Clos Sainte Magdeleine, Château Simone and Domaine de Trévallon are some of the most interesting wineries in Provence.
