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
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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.
Quick links Wine reviews | Top restaurants chosen by the winemakers
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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Sale speculation returns at Brad Pitt & Jolie's Château Miraval
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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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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
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Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie plan 'Super Provence' red wine with Perrin family
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Provence 'will go the way of Beaujolais' if bottled too early, producers warn
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French harvest begins early in Provence
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