Wines from Provence

The Provence region is located in southeastern France and is renowned for its premium rosé wines—elegant, dry and fresh, with flavors of red fruit, citrus and melon. The pale pink color of these wines mirrors the sun-soaked Provençal landscape. The region also produces robust, flavorful reds and aromatic whites. The diverse Provençal terroir, characterized by rolling hills, coastal influences and a warm, sunny climate, contributes to these wines’ high quality and distinctive character.

Provence is a wine region located along the Mediterranean coast in southeastern France. It is close to the border of Italy to the east and the region of Occitanie to the west. The area is known for its diverse landscapes—from the Southern Alps in the north to coastal cities in the south like Marseille and Nice.

The region has a typical Mediterranean climate. Long, hot summers and mild winters help the grapes ripen evenly and consistently, adding to its reputation for high-quality wines.

Provence also has a diverse landscape, with hills and mountains contrasting with flat, coastal areas. This diversity of soil types allows winemakers to grow a wide variety of grapes.

Provence is divided into eight major wine-producing areas: Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, Les Baux-de-Provence, Côtes de Provence, Coteaux Varois en Provence, Coteaux de Pierrevert, Bandol, Bellet and Palette.

The history of winemaking in Provence dates back over 2,600 years, making it the oldest wine-producing region in France. The Greeks, who founded the city of Marseille around 600 B.C., planted the region’s first vineyards and introduced winemaking. By the time the Romans arrived in 125 B.C., Provence had already earned its reputation for premium wines, and the region was the first Roman province outside of Italy. Through the Middle Ages, winemaking was largely conducted by the monastic orders, but the region’s reputation for wine continued.

In the late 19th Century, vineyards in Provence were devastated by the Phylloxera pest. Local winemakers recovered from the crisis by grafting Phylloxera-resistant American rootstock to the local vines.

It wasn’t until the French railroad system opened a connection between Provence and Paris in the 19th Century that the region became a tourist destination. This, combined with the efforts to encourage visitors to the French Riviera, boosted Provence rosé wine production to meet increasing demand and complement regional foods. As a result, rosé became synonymous with the joy of summer, with Provence earning a reputation as the home of world-class rosé.

Provence is home to several red and white grape varieties—both native and international.

Grape Varieties Used in Rosé and Red Wines

• Grenache—This grape is often used in blends and contributes to the fruitiness and body of the wine.
• Cinsault—Cinsault adds softness and bouquet and is frequently blended with Grenache.
• Syrah—Known for its dark fruit flavors and spice, Syrah adds color and structure to the red and rosé blends.
• Mourvèdre—This grape contributes structure and aging potential, along with dark fruit and earthy flavors.
• Cabernet Sauvignon—While not as common in Provence, it’s used occasionally, typically for red wines. Provence is also home to unique native red varieties, including Barbaroux, Braquet, Tibouren, Calitour and Folle Noir.

• Rolle (Vermentino)—The leading grape for white wines in Provence, Rolle is known for its floral and citrus fruit aromas.
• Ugni Blanc—Also known as Trebbiano in Italy, this grape adds acidity to the wine, making it refreshing and crisp.
• Clairette—This grape brings low acidity and high alcohol, often contributing floral notes to the wine.
• Bourboulenc—Known for its crisp acidity and citrus flavor, it’s typically blended with other varieties.

Other white grape varieties in Provence blends include Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.

Provence is most famous for its rosé wine, which is considered among the best in the world. Rosé accounts for more than half of the total wine production in Provence. These rosé wines are often known for their pale pink color, dry profile and vibrant flavors of red fruit, citrus and melon with a refreshing minerality. The region produces its rosé wines from various grapes, including Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvèdre and Syrah, among others.

Although rosé is the star, Provence also produces red and white wines. Its reds are typically robust and flavorful, made primarily from Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre. Although less common, fragrant and full-bodied white wines are made from varieties like Rolle (Vermentino) and Ugni Blanc.

Rosé wines from appellations like Côtes de Provence, Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence and Bandol are particularly well-regarded.

The best known Provençal rosé producers include:

• Domaines Ott—One of the most recognizable brands, Domaines Ott, produces premium rosés known for their elegance and delicate flavors. Their rosés are often seen in upscale restaurants and wine stores worldwide.
• Château d’Esclans—This winery is famous for its luxury rosé, Garrus, which many consider to be the greatest rosé in the world. Another renowned label from this estate is Whispering Angel, known for its high quality, luxurious packaging and reasonable price point.
• Château Miraval—Part-owned by actor Brad Pitt, this estate gained fame for the quality of its rosé wines.
• Domaine Tempier—Located in Bandol, Domaine Tempier is often cited as the benchmark for Provence rosé, producing top-tier wines that are fuller in body and more ageworthy than typical Provencal rosés.
• Château Minuty—This is one of the most esteemed estates in the Côtes de Provence, and it produces rosés that are appreciated for their balance and sophistication.
• Château Simone—Although Provence is not immensely famous for its red wines, Château Simone is an exception. Its red, white and rosé wines all have excellent reputations built on consistently high quality, age-worthiness and attention to detail.

Provence is divided into several distinct wine regions, each with its own characteristics. Some of the most well-known wine regions include:

• Côtes de Provence—The largest appellation of Provence, known for high-quality rosé wines made from the classic blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and small amounts of other varieties.
• Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence—This coastal region is the second-largest in Provence and is responsible for red, rosé and a small amount of white wines. The reds and rosés are typically made from Mourvèdre, Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault.
• Coteaux Varois de Provence: Located in the heart of Provence, this region is surrounded by mountains and produces complex, acidic rosé wines with excellent structure.
• Bandol—Situated near the coast, this region is known for its robust, full-bodied reds made primarily from Mourvèdre. It also produces high-quality, age-worthy rosé and a small amount of white wine.
• Cassis—Famous for its white wine production, a rarity in Provence, Cassis makes whites from Marsanne, Clairette and other local varieties with hints of citrus, peach, honey and dried herbs.
• Les Baux-de-Provence—This region is especially known for its focus on organic and biodynamic winemaking practices, producing primarily red wines from Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. This region is also the hottest in Provence, earning it the nickname Val d’Enfer (“Valley of Hell”).