Provence (98)

Longing for Provence?

What inspired Picasso to buy a castle in Provence? What other region than Provence could have produced the leisurely sport of Pétanque? Perhaps it's not a bad idea to agree on a wonderfully fresh Provençal rosé and only then discuss the countless unique aspects of this unimaginably beautiful landscape.

The Wine Styles of Provence

One could almost speak of a single wine style: More than 600 wineries produce around 1.2 million hectoliters of wine each year - and nearly 90 percent of that in a single, strikingly pale color: The typical rosé from Provence is a wine whose light salmon pink gives no clue to its strong, yet usually delicate mineral character. The probably most prominent example in recent times is the excellent Miraval Rosé Côtes de Provence AOC from Château Miraval, the vineyard owned by Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. 

Rosé - and nothing else? Not quite.

Some AOPs like Rasteau and Bandol stand for spirited, lush red wines and refined-elegant white wines, such as the Rasteau AOP from Domaine Notre Dame des Pallieres or the Blanc Bandol AOP from Château de Pibarnon.

The Sun of Provence and the Mistral 

What does an ideal wine-growing area look like? 3,000 hours of sunshine per year and locations close to the sea, at altitudes of up to 500 meters, or in sheltered valleys are no bad conditions. In addition, limestone- and gravel-infused sandy soils such as around Mont Sainte-Victoire or in the catchment area of Alpes Maritimes. Despite fierce storms from autumn to spring, the vines thrive beautifully. This is ensured by the Mistral, which begins gently and warm but soon brings severe cold. It sweeps excess moisture from the plants and the already permeable soils. This natural protection against fungi, parasites, and other decay-related diseases benefits the increasingly common organic viticulture in Provence.

Provence: The Layout of the Vineyards

As much as the Mistral helps keep the vineyard healthy, it can be destructive to tender shoots and ripening grapes. In unprotected locations in Vaucluse, in the Bouches du Rhône, along the Côte d'Azur, and in the flatter foothills of the Alpes Maritimes, one can still occasionally find the traditional, wind-sensitive bush or gobelet training. This is increasingly being replaced by modern trellising systems; rows of trellises aligned in the direction of the wind offer less resistance to the fury of the Mistral. Typical for the Provençal viticulture style are the "restanques": For centuries, vineyards have been established on steeper slopes in narrow terraces supported by walls built - even today - manually, reducing erosion from water and wind. 

The 13 Most Important Grape Varieties in the Realm of Rosé

A total of 36 grape varieties are authorized for vinification in the AOCs and IGPs of Provence, most of which, including Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, are not found everywhere. Several regional varieties like Pascal, Terret Blanc, Spagnol, or Pignerol are gradually disappearing from the vineyards.  

Red Grapes

Besides Mouvèdre, Grenache, and the indigenous grape variety Tibouren, predominantly Syrah, Cinsault, Carignan, and Cabernet Sauvignon are used for Provence wines. 

White Grapes

As the oldest known (but not indigenous) grape variety of the region, the Rolle, closely related to Vermentino, gives Provence wines a character reminiscent of citrus fruits and ripe pears. The Côtes de Provence AOC Rosé from Château d'Esclans, for example, combines it with four red grape varieties - Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah, and Tibouren - into an excellent cuvée. In addition to Rolle, the white varieties Clairette, Marsanne, Sémillon, and white Bourboulenc are grown.

Interesting Facts about Provence

Which important AOCs can be found in Provence?

For those walking in the footsteps of wine critic Hugh Johnson, in Provence "only the name of the estate or winemaker counts." Nevertheless, the AOCs have now become "a significantly more reliable quality guide than before." Among the most famous are, on one hand, gems like the AOCs Bandol, Cassis, and Palette, but also larger denominations like AOC Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence or Les Baux-de-Provence (only for red wines). From the large AOC Côtes de Provence with its sub-appellations Sainte-Victoire, La Londe, Fréjus, and Pierrefeu come some of the best rosés of southern France. Perhaps it is indeed best to follow Hugh Johnson's advice? Alternatively, you can simply browse the wine shelves of VINELLO.

How did Provence come to wine?

Rosé, the trend wine of the 21st century, has a long tradition. More than 2,600 years ago, Greek traders founded the port of Massalia (present-day Marseille). They not only brought the first grapevines into the Rhône delta, but also a recipe for rosé wines. Blue grapes were processed just like white ones immediately after pressing. This gave the wine a light pink tone; a longer maceration, from which red wine derives its strong color, was only developed later in Europe. When the Romans annexed southern Gaul in the second century BC, rosé wines had already become among the most coveted commodities of the region.

What methods are used in Provence to produce rosé?

Short Maceration

The typical delicate salmon pink of Provençal rosé wines results from short fermentation: After the grapes are pressed, the juice stays in contact with the skins for six hours to a maximum of two days. In this relatively short time, color pigments and tannins dissolve only to a limited extent from the skins. This is different in the production of red wine - here, maceration lasts between four days and four weeks.

Saignée Method

The "bleeding" (French "saigner" = "to bleed") provides the basis for robust red wine and delicate rosé in one go: A portion of the must is drawn off after no more than 48 hours from the mash and vinified separately into rosé wine. The mixture remaining in the tank has a higher concentration of skins in the juice, resulting in a red wine of denser structure and deeper color. Rosés produced using the saignée method are usually light and fruity, with fresh citrus and strawberry aromas.

Cuvées

IGP or AOC rosés may contain a small proportion of white grape varieties - provided that the latter are fermented together with the red grapes. EU law prohibits blending after maceration; an exception applies to rosé sparkling wines, including Champagne Rosé.

Discover Wines from Provence Online at VINELLO

Enjoy top wines from Provence at affordable prices in our online shop. At VINELLO, you will find a representative selection of winemakers and wineries from Provence. With us, you can shop securely and look forward to a fast delivery of your order. We also offer you a variety of payment options from which you can choose your preferred method.

Another advantage at VINELLO: Our sommeliers are available by phone for a detailed consultation to help you discover the world of Provence wines. This way, you can more easily and quickly find your favorites, whether for a special occasion, an evening with friends, or for your own private enjoyment.