Sale speculation returns at Brad Pitt & Jolie's Château Miraval
Talk of sale is re-ignited by media reports...
Provence
The picturesque southern French region of Provence on the Côte d’Azur is famous for its rosé wines, sunshine and glamour.
Bordered by the Mediterranean, it is home to towns and cities such as Bandol, Cassis and Marseille.
Decanter travel guide: Cassis & Bandol
Decanter travel guide: Provence
Scroll down to see the latest Côte d’Azur content
Grapes
The primary grapes used for the production of rosé and red wines are Mourvèdre, Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault, Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Ugni Blanc, Rolle, Semillon and Clairette are used for white wines.
The region is known predominantly for its rosé, which accounts for nearly 75% of wine production.
Bandol produces the region’s most highly-regarded reds, while the only area known for its white wines is Cassis.
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There are three main appellations in the region:
• Côte de Provence
• Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence
• Coteaux Varois en Provence
The climate here is hot, sunny and dry with little rain, and the brisk mistral wind helps to ripen the grapes quickly.
There are different soil types throughout the region: In the northwest there are rocky hogbacks sculpted by erosion. In the east there is crystalline rock near the sea.
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The South of France wine quiz - test your knowledge
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Forest fire breaks out near Brad and Angelina's Château Miraval
A forest fire has broken out in Provence close to Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s Château Miraval.
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Michel Chapoutier buys Provence rosé Château des Ferrages
Maison Michel Chapoutier, the well-known producer of Tain-l’Hermitage in Northern Rhône, has bought Château des Ferrages in Provence.
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Rosé wine trend taking off in US
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Anson on Thursday: Miraval and the fight for Provence
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International Trophy Rosé over £15 - Château La Tour de l’Evêque, Pétale de Rose, Côtes de Provence, France 2014
Although Château La Tour de l’Evêque wine is a classic Provence rosé, it does have a touch of Bordeaux in its DNA. It was created by Régine Sumeire after she visited her friend (and then estate manager) Jean-Bernard Delmas at Château Haut-Brion in 1985
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International Trophy Rosé under £15 - Château Salettes, Bandol, Provence, France 2014
One of the most venerable estates in Provence’s Bandol appellation, Château Salettes produces a benchmark rosé, given extra depth and character by the estate’s sun-kissed Mourvèdre vines.
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Decanter travel guide: Cassis & Bandol, Provence
Stunning coastline, great wines, superb gastronomy, protected national parks...
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Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie plan 'Super Provence' red wine with Perrin family
Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and their winemaking partner, the Perrin family, are considering making a red Provence wine in the style of Italy's Super Tuscans, decanter.com has learned as the new 'Jolie-Pitt & Perrin' rosé vintage is released.
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Provence 'will go the way of Beaujolais' if bottled too early, producers warn
Provence rosé could suffer the same fate as Beaujolais Nouveau if the region’s producers chase profits ahead of quality and bottle too early, some producers are warning.
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Decanter travel guide: Provence, France
Read the full travel guide to Provence, including the best wineries to visit, plus top places to stay, eat, shop and relax...
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French harvest begins early in Provence
The French wine harvest began 15 days early yesterday in the southern region of Provence.
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Great wine route: Bandol, Provence
Think Provence, think beautiful villages and sun-kissed hillsides strewn with wild thyme and rosemary – think Bandol. nigel buxton visits the beautiful southeast of France��
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Rising above Rose: Red wines
The reputation of the Côtes de Provence is entrenched in its rosés. JOHN DOWNES MW goes in search of red wines with top-quality terroir credentials
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Tales of the unexpected: Coteaux Varois
The hitherto little-known Coteaux Varois has lived in the shadow of Côtes de Provence. STEVEN SPURRIER tells the tale of the Cinderella region
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Midi 20 of the best: Red wines
The reputation of the Côtes de Provence is entrenched in its rosés. ANTHONY PEREGRINE goes in search of red wines with top-quality terroir credentials
