Wines from Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Vineyards in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azurwere introduced by the Phocaeans and developed in this former Greek colony by the Romans. As is common throughout much of France’s wine-growing regions, viticulture in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur was sustained after the fall of the Roman Empire by numerous monastic estates and later by the great noble families settled in the region. Affected by phylloxera, the vineyards of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur gradually recovered from this crisis during the 20th century. Today, wine production is protected by various appellations, notably including the regional appellations of Côtes de Provence, Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, and Coteaux Varois, as well as prestigious local appellations such as Bandol, Palette, Cassis, and Bellet.

The Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azurwine region spans the departments of Var, Bouches-du-Rhône, and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, particularly around Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, and Toulon. The climate is, of course, Mediterranean—warm and dry. However, the Mistral, a strong wind, brings valuable benefits to this terroir. In summer, it provides a welcome coolness. As a very dry wind, it protects the vineyards of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur from diseases caused by humidity.

The grape varieties used to produce red and rosé wines inProvence-Alpes-Côte d'Azurare primarily Syrah, Grenache, Mouvèdre, Carignan, and—native to the region—Cinsault and Tibouren. White wines from Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, on the other hand, are made from grape varieties of Italian origin, such as Rolle and Ugni Blanc, or local varieties such as Clairette.

Discover the wineries of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region: Simone, Saint Maur, Fontcreuse, Romanin, Château de Bellet, Pibarnon, Miraval, Mas de la Dame, Trevallon, Bagnol, Terres Blanches, Bormettes, Barbanau, Richeaume, Minuty, Bastide Blanche, Dalmeran, Sainte Roseline, Clos Sainte Magdeleine, Courtade, Revelette, Suffrene