Key Grapes
White
Rolle (Vermentino) Primary white; aromatic
Clairette Traditional; soft
Ugni Blanc High acid; blending
Sémillon Richness; some AOCs
Bourboulenc Traditional variety
Red/Rosé
Grenache Rosé backbone; fruity
Cinsault Pale rosé; delicate
Mourvèdre Bandol star; tannic
Syrah Color; structure
Tibouren Indigenous; pale rosé
Rosé Production
| France rank | #1 (42% of French rosé) |
| World rank | #1 rosé-producing region |
| % of Provence | 88% of total production |
| Export | 40%+ exported (USA #1) |
Methods
Direct Press: Most common; pale color
Saignée: Bled from red; deeper color
Short Maceration: 2-20 hours skin contact
3 Major AOCs (96%)
| AOC | % | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Côtes de Provence | 75% | 1977 |
| Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence | 14% | 1985 |
| Coteaux Varois en Provence | 7% | 1993 |
All 3: White, rosé, red allowed; rosé dominates
Côtes de Provence: Largest; 5 DGCs
All 9 Provence AOCs
| AOC | Year | Style | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Côtes de Provence | 1977 | W, R, Rosé | Largest; 75% of region; 5 DGCs; 20,000 ha |
| Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence | 1985 | W, R, Rosé | Around Aix; limestone + clay; Cab Sauv allowed (30%) |
| Coteaux Varois en Provence | 1993 | W, R, Rosé | Inland; higher elevation; cooler; fresher style |
| Bandol | 1941 | W, R, Rosé | Min 50% Mourvèdre (red); 18 mo aging; restanques |
| Cassis | 1936 | W, R, Rosé | Oldest Provence AOC; white wine focus (70%); Marsanne |
| Bellet | 1941 | W, R, Rosé | Near Nice; Braquet + Folle Noire (indigenous); tiny (50 ha) |
| Palette | 1948 | W, R, Rosé | Near Aix; smallest (~50 ha); Ch. Simone dominates |
| Les Baux-de-Provence | 1995 | R, Rosé only | Red + rosé ONLY; organic leader; min 60% GSM |
| Pierrevert | 1998 | W, R, Rosé | Northern edge; Alpine influence; higher altitude |
Côtes de Provence DGCs
| DGC | Year | Style |
|---|---|---|
| Sainte-Victoire | 2005 | R + Rosé |
| Fréjus | 2005 | R + Rosé |
| La Londe | 2008 | R + Rosé |
| Pierrefeu | 2013 | R + Rosé |
| Notre-Dame des Anges | 2019 | R + Rosé |
Note: All DGCs red + rosé only (no white)
Bandol — Premier Red Wine AOC
| Aspect | Red | Rosé | White |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mourvèdre | Min 50% (often 80%+) | Min 20% | Not used |
| Aging | 18 months min | No min | No min |
| Style | Powerful; age 10+ yrs | Structured; gastronomic | Clairette-based |
Restanques: Stone terraces; retain heat; protect from mistral | Mourvèdre: Needs heat + maritime influence; late-ripening
Bandol Details
| Terraces | Restanques (stone walls) |
| Soils | Limestone, marl, sandstone |
| Aspect | Amphitheater facing sea |
| Maritime | Sea moderates temperature |
| Aging | Large oak foudres |
Producers: Domaine Tempier (icon); Pibarnon; Pradeaux
Cassis
| Year | 1936 (oldest in Provence) |
| Focus | White wine (70%) |
| Grapes | Marsanne, Clairette, Ugni Blanc |
| Terroir | Limestone cliffs; sea breeze |
| Pairing | Bouillabaisse (local dish) |
Note: NOT related to cassis (blackcurrant liqueur)
Bellet
| Location | Hills above Nice |
| Size | ~50 ha (tiny) |
| Climate | Maritime + Alpine |
Indigenous Grapes
Braquet Red/rosé; floral, delicate
Folle Noire Red; robust; local only
Rolle White; = Vermentino
Climate & Terroir
| Sunshine | 2,900 hours/year |
| Rainfall | Driest in France |
| Mistral | NW wind; dries vines |
| Marin | SE wind; brings humidity |
Key Soils
Limestone: Cassis, Palette, inland areas
Schist: Coastal areas; Maures massif
Volcanic: Les Baux-de-Provence
History
| 600 BCE | Greeks found Marseille; plant vines |
| 125 BCE | Romans establish Provincia |
| 14th c | Papal interest (Avignon) |
| 1936 | Cassis = 1st Provence AOC |
| 1941 | Bandol + Bellet AOCs |
| 1977 | Côtes de Provence AOC |
| 2000s | Rosé boom; celebrity estates |
Les Baux-de-Provence
| Year | 1995 |
| Styles | Red + Rosé ONLY |
| Grapes | Min 60% GSM |
| Organic | Leader; majority organic |
| Terroir | Alpilles mountains; bauxite |
Bauxite: Aluminum ore; named after Les Baux
No white: Only Provence AOC without white wine
Palette & Pierrevert
Palette
| Size | ~50 ha (smallest) |
| Location | East of Aix-en-Provence |
| Domaine | Ch. Simone (dominates) |
| Grapes | 25+ allowed; traditional |
Pierrevert
Location: Northern edge; Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
Climate: Alpine influence; cooler nights
Style: Fresher; higher acidity
Top Exam Points — Memorize These!
88% rosé; #1 in France42% of French rosé; world's largest rosé region; direct press = pale color
Bandol = min 50% Mourvèdre18 months aging (red); restanques terraces; Provence's premier red AOC
Cassis = oldest AOC (1936)70% white wine focus; Marsanne, Clairette; pairs with bouillabaisse
Bellet = Braquet + Folle NoireIndigenous grapes; hills above Nice; tiny (~50 ha); maritime + Alpine
Côtes de Provence = 75%Largest; 5 DGCs (Sainte-Victoire, Fréjus, La Londe, Pierrefeu, Notre-Dame des Anges)
Les Baux = red + rosé ONLYNo white allowed; organic leader; bauxite named after region
Tibouren = indigenous rosé grapePale color; delicate; unique to Provence; prized for top rosés
600 BCE = oldest French vinesGreeks at Marseille; "Provincia" = Roman province; 2,900 sunshine hours