Provence rosé: appellations, grapes and cru classé

Provence has three major AOCs. Côtes de Provence is by far the largest, with about 20,000 hectares and 73 percent of the wine region. It lies in the Var, the Bouches-du-Rhône and one commune in the Alpes-Maritimes, spread over 84 communes. The appellation was recognised in 1977.

Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence covers about 4,300 hectares around the Etang de Berre, between the Durance and the sea, and was recognised in 1985. Coteaux Varois en Provence is the smallest at about 2,900 hectares: 28 municipalities around Brignoles in the Var, at an average altitude of 350 metres, recognised in 1993.

Almost everything. For the three appellations combined, Vins de Provence gives a split of 89 percent rosé, 6 percent white and 5 percent red. The INAO puts the share of rosé for Côtes de Provence alone at 90 percent.

This makes Provence one of the few wine regions in the world where rosé takes the leading role and red and white are secondary. The vineyards stretch over almost 200 kilometres, between the Mediterranean Sea and the Alps. According to the same organisation, the Phocaeans, who founded Marseille around 2,600 years ago, brought the first vines to France.

For rosé and red in Côtes de Provence, the main grapes are grenache, cinsault, syrah, mourvèdre and tibouren. Cabernet sauvignon and carignan, among others, are also permitted.

The list differs slightly per appellation. In Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence counoise is among the main grapes, and in Coteaux Varois en Provence tibouren is among the complementary varieties. For white, rolle, known elsewhere as vermentino, is the most important grape, supplemented with clairette, sémillon and ugni blanc, among others.

Cru Classé is a title for a wine estate, not for a plot. The classification of the Côtes de Provence was established in 1955. Of the original list of 23 estates, 18 still carry the title today.

The designation applies to all wines that such an estate makes under the Côtes de Provence appellation, so to rosé, red and white. The label then shows Cru Classé next to the name of the appellation. It is therefore something different from the geographical designations within Côtes de Provence, such as Sainte-Victoire, Fréjus, La Londe and Pierrefeu, which may appear on the label alongside the name of the appellation.

Yes, although it is a small part of production: together about 11 percent. Red Provence is made from the same grapes as the rosé, with grenache, syrah, mourvèdre and cinsault as the base. White Provence is mainly about rolle.

The soil differs greatly within the area. In Côtes de Provence the north and west are rich in limestone and the south and east crystalline. Coteaux Varois en Provence lies higher and inland, on limestone soil between the mountain ranges of the Sainte-Baume and the Bessillons. Rosé from Provence is traditionally served with Mediterranean cuisine, such as fish, vegetables and olive oil.

In the shop on the Brink in Bathmen there are bottles from Provence. From Château de l’Aumérade, one of the 18 crus classés of the Côtes de Provence, the Marie Christine Rosé Cru Classé, the Sully Rosé and the Côtes de Provence Rouge are on the shelf, plus the Aumérade Style Côtes de Provence Rosé.

Anyone also looking for white from Provence will find the Hippy Roubine Blanc next to the Hippy Roubine Rosé. Not sure which bottle suits your occasion? Feel free to call us on 0570 541 278 or drop by at Brink 2 in Bathmen.

The shop is at Brink 2 in Bathmen. Open Tuesday to Friday from 09.00 to 18.00 and Saturday from 09.00 to 17.00. For advice, call 0570 541 278 or email info@bockje.nl.