Côtes de Provence – AOC –

The Côtes de Provence appellation spans more than 20,000 hectares (nearly 50,000 acres) and three departments: the Var, the Bouches-du-Rhône and one village in the Alpes-Maritimes, for a total of 84 communes.

The terroir of the Côtes de Provence appellation is as beautiful for its vines as it is at their roots. The sub-soil represents complex geology that is particularly conducive to wine-making. Two large geological areas coexist in Côtes de Provence: one, to the north and West, is calcareous and the other is crystalline, to the south and east.

The entire northern and Western zones of Côtes de Provence are made up of alternating hills and limestone ridges sculpted by erosion. Further east, facing the sea, sit the crystalline Maures and Tanneron Mountain Ranges. This crystal series is formed in part of eruptive rocks.

Because of the terroir’s size and variety, there is not one but several types of Côtes de Provence. Each has its own geological and climatic personality. Eight production areas make up the appellation: Bordure Maritime, Notre-Dame des Anges, Haut Pays, Bassin du Beausset, Sainte-Victoire, Fréjus, La Londe and Pierrefeu.

Four terroir designations are currently recognized there, each of which produces wines with a pronounced typicity: Côtes de Provence Sainte-Victoire, Côtes de Provence Fréjus, Côtes de Provence La Londe and Côtes de Provence Pierrefeu.

For the Côtes de Provence Appelation, five main grape varieties are used:

• Cinsault: Flavourful and attractive, this Provençal varietal has long been used as a table grape. It is widely used to make rosé in Provence. its Character: It adds a fresh, delicate, fruity touch to wines, nuancing the power of other varietals.

• Grenache: This variety comes from Spain originally. It is very high-yield and resistant to violent winds and drought. Character: Grenache brings fatness, a full body and power to wines. It gives young wines elegant hints of berries, and spicier, meaty notes to more evolved wines.

• Mourvèdre: Its small berries prefer warm, calcareous terroirs. This varietal ripens slowly: it is happiest when facing the sea, where it can ripen properly. It has been planted in Provence for a very long time. Character: Mourvèdre produces robust wines with delicate, assertive tannins. While young, wines made with this varietal offer touches of violet and blackberry. Its smooth suppleness, accompanied by characteristic notes of spices, pepper and cinnamon, are only revealed after several years of cellar ageing. Mourvèdre is often used in blends with Grenache and Syrah.

• Tibouren: An authentic Provençal grape. In fact, the only place in France where it can be found is in the Var department. Character: Tibouren produces delicate, elegant wines. It is perfect for rosés, in which it offers finesse on the palate and a rich bouquet. It is the preferred grape for blends made with other Provençal varietals.

• Syrah: Syrah is a grape made up of small black berries with bluish reflections, with a thin but fairly resistant skin. Its character: Syrah gives solid and colorful wines, harsh in the first years because they are rich in tannins, but particularly suitable for prolonged ageing. Over the years, its evolution gives the wine characteristic notes of vanilla, Havana cigar and candied red fruits.

Orders with a minimum von 30 bottels (5 x 6 Bttls) per delivery are possible.