Everyone knows that France is the leader for providing some of the best wines in the world, Châteaux Margaux and Pomerol in Bordeaux have certainly made the headlines in some of the most reputable wine magazines but what about the noble wines of Provence? Provence wines tend to be the hidden secret in France and what a secret to discover. Rosé wine is one of the most precious luxuries of Provence and is something that has definitely become more and more well-known over the years. Its delicate aromas and pastel shades make it appealing for a chilled aperitif or even to accompany a main meal. But that’s not all Provence is hiding from us, Provence also offers excellent red wines as well as white wines.
What’s deeply interesting here is that the wines are like budding flowers, their flavours go from tannic, to dry, cherry, blackberry and softly fruity and the region is now seducing wine lovers locally and internationally because of its ideal location and intense flavours that come from the Mediterranean coast. In Southern Provence some of the most noble reds are from Bandol. These luxury reds which provide us with a taste of the local garrigue (wild, herby scrubland) are packed full of surprises and really are the queen of the region. Wines from Cassis and Bandol are produced in extremely small quantities (making them even more attractive) so booking a wine tour in Provence is often the key for a tasting session. What’s interesting is that wines from Northern Provence (Ventoux, Luberon appellations) which are essentially part of the Provence-Alpes-Côtes d’Azur region but are as a matter of fact managed as part of the Rhône. But let’s not forget, wherever the wine is managed it is always savoured with all the senses. And is always coupled with the most beautiful regions in France!
For us here at Planet Provence, the essential estates are:
– Domaine de Suffrène
– Domaine de la Source
– Domaine du Bagnol
– Château Simone
– Château Dalmeran
– Château Vignelaure
– Château Margui
– Domaine Richeaume
– Château Saint-Jean-Lez-Durance
What’s exciting about the wines of Provence is their great diversity. There are plenty of different appellations in this region that produce very different wines. They are also grown upon various magnificent landscapes.
9 well-known appellations from Provence :
1. Bandol (A.O.C)
2. Bellet (A.O.C)
3. Cassis (A.O.C)
4. Palette (A.O.C)
5. Les Baux de Provence (A.O.C)
6. Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence (A.O.C)
7. Coteaux Varois (A.O.C)
8. Côte de Provence (A.O.C)
9. Pierrevert (A.O.C)
The list is endless and to find out more please do book a wine tour with us, visit planetprovence.com to find out more.