Again, Rosés rule, crafted from Cinsualt, Mourvedre, Grenache and Syrah with whites dominated by Rolle. Vineyards at these slightly higher altitudes are cooler so the grapes benefit from longer, slower ripening, giving the finished wines good acidity, complex flavors and structure. The first plantings of this Bordeaux varietal were brought to the Provencal vineyards of Georges Brunet (owner of Chateau LaLagune) just after World War II.īrad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have a Côtes de Provence Rosé from Correns (by Brignoles) called Miraval, a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah and Rolle (Vermentino).ĪKA “The Heart of Provence”, this region in the middle of Provence features undulating limestone mountain ranges so there are a multitude of ‘meso-climates’. Today, Rosé is king and is usually a blend of Grenache, Mourvedre, Cinsault, Syrah and Counoise. The vineyards here date back as far as 600 BC and were prized by the Royal Courts of Europe in the 15th century. Second in size, this region is heavily influenced by the famous Mistral winds. Photo taken east of Aix-en-Provence in Vars, Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur. Each of these sub-regions has distinct characteristics that affect the grapes and wines made in them. Sainte-Victoire, La Londe, Fréjus, and Pierrefeu. There are four geographical “Sub Regions” in the Côtes de Provence, and they’re easy to identify as they are allowed to add their names to the label. The largest AOC, and the biggest producer with about 75% of wine production (of which 89% is Rosé), this region is also the most diverse.īecause of the region’s size, there are a variety of influences at work: differences in climate, altitude of vineyards, soils and rainfall, for example, can be so varied that there’s actually a difference of 60 days between the start of harvest in the southern coastal vineyards and their cooler, inland counterparts. They also must follow strict labeling protocol. Wines must be made to specific blending percentages with regulated levels of alcohol and residual sugar. A grower is restricted as to what kinds of grapes they can grow, how they are grown, and how many tons can be harvested. What is an AOC? It’s a specific area for growing grapes defined by many factors that establish its unique character –such as type of soil, climate, and geography. Viticultural Provence is comprised of 9 main regions or AOC (Appellation de’Origin Contrôlée). They originate from France, Spain, Italy, Greece and Hungary. Some of them will be familiar and some not so much as they are found only here.Ībout 36 wine varieties are allowed in Provence. With all these different soils, climate, altitude, and historical influences, it only makes sense that Provence is home to many varieties of grapes. Many say these plants, collectively called “Garrigue” (on limestone/clay) or ‘Maquis” (when growing on crystalline schist), influence the character of the wines. Throughout Provence, wild, resinous shrubs like rosemary, juniper, thyme, and lavender grow almost everywhere. A typical day in Coteaux Varois en Provence. Travel east, and the soil is mostly crystalline schist (granite) and volcanic in one small area. The western countryside is veined with limestone, where the land was covered in ancient times by a warm, shallow sea. The geography is diverse with numerous mountain ranges that texture the landscape providing gentle slopes (vines love hills!) and sheltered valleys. Provence averages 2700-3000 hours per year. Tons of Sun: Vines need a minimum of 1400 hours of sunshine (degree days) to produce ripe fruit. The Mediterranean moderates the temperatures, and the famous “Mistral” wind keeps the vineyards dry, free of pests, and the skies clear. Provence is blessed with a fantastic climate, especially for grapes! The region gets lots of sunshine and not too much rain with warm days and cool evenings. Getting a Lay of the Land: Provence Wine Region rocky mountain racing roads, wine and lavender are the exceptional hallmarks of Provence. Rocky mountain racing roads, wine, and lavender are the distinctive hallmarks of Provence. It is also the only place to focus on Rosé and is home to the only research institute dedicated to the style. Wine has been made here for over 2600 years, making Provence the oldest wine-producing region of France. Physically, it’s only about 150 miles long and 100 miles North to South, but its impact is profound. This fascinating region sits along the Mediterranean coast of France, bordered by the Rhone River to the west and the Côte d’Azur on the east. 88% of Provence wine production is dedicated to rosé!
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