The wine-growing region is located in the south-east corner of France and stretches along the Côte d'Azur from Marseille in the west to Nice in the east. It is bordered by the two large wine-growing regions of Languedoc in the west and Rhône in the north. Many sources consider the island of Corsica, 160 kilometres south-east of the coast, to be a common wine-growing area with Provence. In fact, there are many similarities. Together with the dual region of Languedoc-Roussillon, Provence is often referred to as Midi (meaning south).

History

Provence is one of the oldest wine-growing regions in France and Europe, as vines were planted and wine was pressed here by the Greeks as early as the 6th century BC. However, it is possible that the Celts (Gauls) were already doing this before them. The name comes from the Romans, who founded the "Provincia Romana" in 154 BC and supplied wine to Rome from here. Legionnaires who had been discharged from service received a small estate here as a reward, which they used for viticulture. The area has been hotly contested throughout history and belonged successively to the Roman Empire, the Frankish Empire, the Kingdom of Burgundy, the Spanish County of Barcelona-Arágon, the House of Anjou, the Kingdom of Sardinia and finally France.

Climate & Soil

The Mediterranean climate is characterised by mild winters, humid springs, hot summers and long, sunny autumns. In spring and autumn, the humid Marin sea wind blows from the south-east with heavy rainfall, while the dry, cold Mistral from the north has a fungus-inhibiting effect and dries the vines quickly. Today, the vineyards cover around 27,000 hectares of vines. The Côtes de Provence appellation in the east is by far the largest area, accounting for around four-fifths of the total. The soils are very varied and consist mainly of limestone, slate, loam and sand, often interspersed with pebbles or red clay.

Grape varieties

Numerous varieties are authorised, including many autochthonous vines, some of which are threatened with extinction. The most important red wine varieties are Barbaroux, Cabernet Sauvignon, Calitor Noir, Carignan Noir, Cinsaut, Grenache Noir (Garnacha Tinta), Mourvèdre (Monastrell), Rolle (Vermentino), Syrah and Tibouren, while the most important white wine varieties are Clairette, Grenache Blanc (Garnacha Blanca), Sémillon and Ugni Blanc (Trebbiano Toscano).

AOP and IGT areas

Around half of the production consists of rosé wines, which dominate due to the Mediterranean climate (up to 80% in some areas), around 40% of red wines and 10% of white wines.

• Alpes-de-Haute-Provence (IGP)
• Bandol (AOP)
• Bellet (AOP)
• Cassis (AOP)
• Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence (AOP)
• Coteaux de Pierrevert (AOP)
• Coteaux Varois en Provence (AOP)
• Côtes de Provence (AOP)
• Les Baux-de-Provence (AOP)
• Maures (IGP)
• Méditerranée (IGP)
• Mont-Caume (IGP)
• Palette (AOP)
• Principauté d'Orange (IGP)
• Var (IGP)
• Vaucluse (IGP)

Flûte à Corset

Some of the wines are bottled in a special waisted bottle shape known as a "flûte à corset" or "Provence bottle", which may only be used for wines bottled in Provence.

Map: By DalGobboM¿!i? - Own work, GFDL, Link
edited by Norbert F. J. Tischelmayer 2/2018