Provence
Provence is one of the most beautiful region in France. Eventually the region is also one of the most popular and attracts many visitors and dwellers. Provence calls to mind sun, lavender, olive tree and rosé wine.
Provence vineyard is very old. The Roman were the first to grow vines there not far way from Marseille port. Caesar wrote about it in his memories. Provence is very well known for its rosé wine. The region produces almost half of the rosé french production. However red and white wines from provence are improving and some of them can compete with the best in France
This wine region is divided in 3 main parts.
Côtes de Provence Côtes de Provence is a wide area covering Côte d'Azur (French riviera) from Marseille to Nice cities. Soils, grapes and techniques may differ but one thing remain: the sun. Half of the rosé wine made in France is coming from Provence! And 80% of the wine made in Provence is rosé. Rosé de Provence are dry and fruity. They are perfect as summer wine, for aperitif, with a salad or with typical mediterranean meals. Some Red wines are also appealing as they keep on improving. Red wines from Côtes de Provence are generally quite strong however in some areas they can be light and delicate. White wines from Provence are excellent with local seafood. BandolBandol vines are located in the hills between La Ciotat and Toulon, facing at the Mediterranean Sea. Bandol is one of the oldest vineyards in France. The first vine was planted in Bandol 2,500 years ago by the Romans! With Marseille's port close-by and because of the special characteristics of its full body red wine, Bandol wine bottles could be found in India or Brazil already 2 centuries ago. Mourvèdre grape is a strong base of any Bandol Red wines. Mourvèdre gives to the wine body and spice. Bandol is obviously one of the best Red wines from Provence. Bellet
Bellet is one of the smallest appelation in France along with Château Grillet. Bellet vineyard is located just West of Nice city. The slope of the hills is so steep that no machine can work there. Therefore the production is limited, less than 100,000 bottles a year. All the wines from Bellet are of high quality and orginal. Wine makers use sometimes local grapes such as Pignerol and Mayorquin for the white, Fuella and Braquet for the red and rosé. Red wines are powerful, white are aromatic and rosés are fresh. However Bellet wines are very hard to find outside of Nice.
