The soils in the northwest region, from the communes of Évenos to Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer, are composed of small pebbles and produce lighter, more delicate wines. [6], The Bellet AOC is in southeastern Provence, near Nice has a significant Italian influence with its major white wine being made from the Italian wine grape Vermentino, known in France as Rolle. Archer, FWS works is a freelance writer and wine professional. Later, the Romans came, saw and renamed the region “Nostra Provincia” (‘Our Province.’) Membership in the Roman Empire had its privileges, earning Massilla the right to export its wine outside the region. "Saracen Towers" built, to watch for Saracens. The soil of the Cassis AOC is primarily limestone, which is particularly suited to the cultivation of Clairette, Marsanne, Ugni blanc and Sauvignon blanc, the major varieties of the area. These area tend to be planted with white wine grapes that perform better in those soil types. Wine regions further north and inland exhibit a more continental or alpine climate. The boundry was roughly from the Rhône to Italy and the Mediterranean to the central Alps, and included the departments Bouches-du-Rhône, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and … Later, the Romans came with their own red varieties. The leading grape varieties are Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah. Typically enjoyed with friends and family before dinner, ‘L’heure de l’apéro’ – an hour of ‘apéritif’ drinks involves enjoying a drink – wine, […], Brandy cocktails are perfect for Christmas. The Bandol region near Toulon is one of the more internationally recognized Provençal wine regions. A vast wine region, Provence includes many mountain ranges and micro-climates. Ancient stone tools were discovered in several areas of Provence, and these were dated back as far as 1.050 million BC. On this tour you will visit Uzes, medieval town and the Pont du Gard aqueduct bridge. This abundance does have the adverse effect of potentially over ripening grapes if vineyard owners are not cautious. Nearly 70% of the production is red wine with rosé and a small amount of white wine making up the remainder. The terroir of the Côtes de Provence appellation is as beautiful for its vines as it is at their roots. [9], The Cassis AOC, located along the coast between Marseilles and Bandol, is unique in the Provençal wine region, due to white wine comprising over 75% of its production. Over time, the viticulture and winemaking styles of the Provence have been influenced by a wide range of people, rulers, and cultures, including the Saracens, the Carolingians, the Holy Roman Empire, the Counts of Toulouse, the Catalans, René I of Naples, the House of Savoy, and the Kingdom of Sardinia. Rosé accounts for over 88% of all AOP wines grown in Provence. The Provençal wine region, famous for its rosé, as well as its full-flavoured reds and whites, is scattered with remarkable sites throughout the various AOCs of Provence: Côtes de Provence, Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence, Coteaux Varois en Provence, Baux de Provence, Bandol, Cassis, Palette and Bellet. Archaeological evidence, in the form of amphora fragments, indicate that the Greeks were producing wine in the region soon after they settled. The moment the train doors open in Avignon to the breezy, balmy, luminous Provençal air you know you’ve landed in a gentler … Visit the Antique theater in Orange before heading to Châteauneuf du Pape for wine tasting session and a wine and chocolate workshop to see how the flavors compliment each other. The boundry was roughly from the Rhône to Italy and the Mediterranean to the central Alps, and included the departments Bouches-du-Rhône, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Var, and parts of the Alpes-Maritimes and Vaucluse. With an annual average of up to 3,000 hours, excessive sun is a concern although the heat is alleviated by the northerly mistral wind, and the risk of fungal diseases is minimal – which makes the region suitable for organic viticulture. Visit the Antique theater in Orange before heading to Châteauneuf du Pape for wine tasting session and a wine and chocolate workshop to see how the flavors compliment each other. Provence has a busy calendar of events all year round featuring art exhibitions, charming markets, cultural festivals and concerts. Other grape varieties include Chardonnay, Clairette, Mayorquin, Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, Pignerol, Braquet and Roussanne. It is a past that is as spirited as Grande Provence herself. I love its bustling atmosphere, clean sandy beach, colourful beach huts […], We talk to chef and author Lisa Baker Morgan who splits her life between Los Angeles and Paris. Rosé wine currently accounts for more than half of the production of Provençal wine, with red wine accounting for about a third of the region's production. Provence History Provence was a district of France dating named after the Roman Provincia Romana. Nice and Cimiez destroyed. Geography & History of Wine in Provence Vines and art collide at Chateau la Coste. Nowadays most attention is focused on rosés, but there are also plenty of good reds. Those soils and the warm, coastal climate are ideally suited for the late ripening Mourvèdre grape, which is the major variety. Provence is a land of sea and mountains. Ok, rosé bashing has become popular in recent days, ... and he wanted his wines to reflect this history, blending Cabernet Sauvignon with Syrah. And while there are many things to love about my native land such as the great customer service and ample freezer […], Sarah Daly hops on an electric bike and works up an appetite for a dining experience with a difference. [2], Within the Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence is the smaller Les Baux-de-Provence AOC which was granted AOC status in 1995. By car, boat or bike, go and … Pink wine from Provence accounts for nearly 10% of world rosé production with France being by far and away its largest market. Glanum, in nearby St Remy de Provence, was occupied for between 4 and 6 hundred years by the Celtic-Ligurians, Greeks and Romans until 260 AD ( read more here ). This unique terroir has encouraged interest from Burgundy wine producers such as Maison Louis Latour to experiment with planting Pinot noir. Provence has a special place in the history of the motion picture – one of the first projected motion pictures, L'Arrivée d'un train en gare de La Ciotat (The Arrival of a Train into La Ciotat Station), ... fifteen percent is red wine, and 5 percent white wine. [11], Wine expert Karen MacNeil notes that most well made examples of Provençal wine have flavors and aromas that reflect the garrigue landscape of the region which includes wild lavender, rosemary and thyme. Historically specializing in rosé, Provence has a millennium-old wine-growing history. By the time the Romans reached the area in 125 BC, the wine produced there had a reputation across the Mediterraneanfor high quality. The origins of grapes in Provence. The rest of the juice and skins are retained to create red wine, though this is not widely practiced in Provence. Perfect French Brandy Cocktails for a Cool Yule, Guide to Armagnac – the spirit of Gascony, SomMailer Wine Club | Bringing French Wines to America, Life in a farmhouse in the Auvergne, France, Freewheeling gastronomic adventure in Montreuil-sur-Mer, Free French on demand TV and film platform, Review of Exploring Wine Regions – Bordeaux, WIN Winston Churchill: Painting on the French Riviera by Paul Rafferty, Visit to Rocamadour – the rock of miracles. Later, the Romans came with their own red varieties. Whether you are visiting the Aix-en-Provence area on holiday or are a longtime resident, Wine In Provence has many exciting and memorable experiences for you to explore. Here are 10 reasons to visit Provence, like, yesterday! Leroy is but he must be quite the winemaker. [3], Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence and Les Baux-de-Provence, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Provence_wine&oldid=981538362, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Château Ste. The main grape varieties of the region are Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsaut, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Carignan.[4]. […], You can walk into any bar in France and be assured of a familiar sight – a sign or a jug (the type you see at every French flea market) advertising pastis. A fleeting hint that something magical is taking place on the North side of the Alpilles. The rosé wine in particular is noted for its ability to pair well with garlic based dishes, such as aioli. These diverse groups introduced a large variety of grapes to the region, including grape varieties of Greek and Roman origin as well as Spanish, Italian and traditional French wine grapes. And if it’s a hot day, there’s sure to be a Frenchman or two sitting at a table watching the world go by […], Armagnac is the most ancient French eau-de-vie. [1], There has been more experimentation in the methods used by a new generation of winemakers beginning to incorporate non-traditional methods of rosé production including the use of oak barrels for aging and fermentation. The region has a long wine making history and much tradition. Over time, the viticulture and … The use of Cabernet Sauvignon is growing in prevalence but it limited to composing no more than 20% of the blend. As a Paris local with a love of food, culture and history, she shares some of her top tips for visitors the the city of light… What draws you to Paris – the things that make you […], Visitors to the French Riviera between Nice and the Italian border can experience many heavenly hikes. The Phocaean Greeks founded modern day Marseille, bringing with them vines and wines during the 6 th century BC as grapes were planted throughout the region. This varietal is typically southern and has a very long … It is a past that is as spirited as Grande Provence herself. Its roots can be trace­d back 26 centuries when the Phoenicians first planted vines there. It is a past that is as spirited as Grande Provence herself. [4], The Coteaux de Pierrevert AOC is a minor wine area located around the village of Pierrevert in the northeastern section of Provence. If you enjoyed this article, subscribe now to receive more just like it. It is often blended with Grenache and Cinsault, with the latter being used as a significant component in most rosé. We organize guided Provence Wine tours in English. In addition, the list cannot be changed, no new wineries can be added and a winery cannot lose the cru classé status. The red and whites are characterized by their full bodies and intense aromatics. A Brief History of Provence Rosé. The 40 hectares of vines cultivated in organic farming are surrounded in the North by the Sainte-Victoire mountain, in the South by the Sainte Baume massif and in the East by the Auréliens Mountains, which form a backdrop for the vineyard. Many vineyards were slow to replant and some turned to the high yielding but lower quality Carignan grape. The rosés of the region are normally dry with zestiness derived from their acidity. White wine is also produced in small quantities throughout the region with the Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) region of Cassis specializing in white wine production. Provence is France's oldest wine producing region. Prior to release, the wine is required to age at least 18 months in oak. is the French notion of ‘a sense of place’ made up of soil, slope, aspect, drainage, sunlight, moisture and biodiversity to inform a wine’s intangible character. The boundaries of the region extend from the alpine hills near Draguignan to the coast of Saint-Tropez. A crafted, mellow brandy like French-made Bardinet, produced in Bordeaux since 1857 and one of the UK’s leading French Brandies, is great for drinking on its own, but it’s also perfect for cocktails. The Provence is a fascinating wine region, which is unfortunately being drowned in an ocean of mediocre rosé. Provence boasts a balmy Mediterranean climate with almost 3000 hours of sunshine a year, plus the Mistral, a cold, dry wind that blows away humidity almost 150 days of the year. Previously Sauvignon blanc was used and is not prohibited by the AOC rules. So how did Provence emerge as the standard for rosé worldwide? The appellations and geographic denominations (sub-appellations) of the Provence Wine Region. [3], The soil across Provence is varied, lacking uniformity and generalization. Blame it on the wandering Phocaeans of ancient Greece, who brought vines with them when they settled in Marseilles (then called Massilla) in 600 BC. It's a land of wine and food, culture and history. A remarkable 88% of wine production in Provence is rosé, with 9% red and 3% white. The history of this noble estate tells of freedom found and fortunes made, of valour, savoir-faire and fruitful ventures. [2] Over 60% of the region's production is rosé with around 33% red wine and small amount of white wine. Surprise! The Provence region of France has a long and detailed history dating back to prehistoric times. Its red, white and rosé wines are mainly made from Grenache, Syrah, Cinsaut, Clairette and Rolle. And in fact, the Romans were the first to plant vines in the area. Local laws are being developed in the region to protect vineyards from being overrun with commercial and residential development from the city of Marseilles. Packed with culture and history, ... Provence boasts top wine estates and an abundance of Michelin-starred restaurants. Savouring the soul of Provence year-round is only a sip away –  a sip of rosé away. More of Alex’s wine is due in the United States soon. These native plants impart herbaceous qualities to the wines grown in their respective sub-regions, while seaside proximity delivers distinctive saline characteristics. Grande Provence Wine Estate wears her 325-year history with dignity. Other Provençal flavor components include floral, fruit and spice notes. Provence protected by the germanic Saint-Empire Local Lords recognize the sovereignty of Guillaume the Liberator,Comte de Provence. Historic records have shown that wine has been made in Provence since 600 BC, when grape vines were brought to the land by the Phocaeans (Ancient Greek Sailors). Provence, historical and cultural region encompassing the southeastern French départements of Bouches-du-Rhône, Vaucluse, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, and Var. I […]. Provence and Wine. The different judgest panels, are made up of professionals (oenologists, sommeliers, technical experts and journalists) and amateur wine-tasters. [2] The rosés of Bandol are characterized by spicy and earthy flavors that can resemble the Rhône rosés from Tavel AOC, with some having strawberry notes. Europe ; France ; Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur ; Vaucluse ; Avignon ; Things to Do in Avignon ; Provence and Wine; Search. [4], Some coastal areas in the region have soils with more schist and quartz in their composition while inland there is more clay and sandstone. It was a really personal as R omain was very familiar and could provide the history and information about the one making process with the two wineries we … Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah are rising in prominence, though some traditional Provençal winemakers view those grapes with suspicion and a sign of globalization and appeal to international tastes. Provence makes over 1,000 kinds of wines. Throughout the region's history, viticulture and winemaking have been influenced by the cultures that have been present in Provence, which include the Ancient Greeks, Romans, Gauls, Catalans and Savoyards. ... will … Local consumption has outpaced supply and has limited the amount of Cassis wine that can be exported. [3], Bandol is the only French wine that is dominated by the Mourvèdre grape, which expresses differently depending on the particular terroir of the region. [1], Today the region is known predominantly for its rosé wine, though wine critics such as Tom Stevenson believe that region's best wines are the spicy, full-flavoured red wines. , the phylloxera epidemic reached Provence and wine tour of Provence...,! Up a day of sightseeing with fine wine and food, culture and history geographic denominations ( sub-appellations of! Address, Phone Number, Provence has a rich history in making wine inland exhibit a more or... 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