Côtes de Provence : The best rosés of the world !

« The production of Rosé has long been a specialty in Provence, and an art of living. »

The Côtes de Provence appellation has been officially recognized since 1977 and is renowned as the premier appellation for rosé, constituting 90% of the wine produced in Côtes de Provence.

AOP Côtes de Provence Appellation: The vineyards of Provence, spanning over 200 kilometers from the Mediterranean to the Alps, are divided into three appellations: Coteaux Varois en Provence, Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence, and Côtes de Provence.

The Côtes de Provence appellation encompasses 20,000 hectares, or 84 villages, stretching from Bouches-du-Rhône to Alpes Maritimes via Var. Recognized for its rosés, it stands as the world's leading rosé-producing region, with an average production of 962,000 hectoliters per year, equivalent to 128 million bottles.

Within the Côtes de Provence appellation, there are 372 private cellars and 38 cooperative cellars.

Terroir in Côtes de Provence: The terroir of the Côtes de Provence appellation is characterized by complex geology, with two main geological units: limestone to the north and west, and crystalline to the south and east. This diversity results in several types of Côtes de Provence, each possessing a unique geological and climatic personality.

There are five main natural areas in the appellation: the maritime border, inland valley, hills of Haut Pays, Beausset basin, and Sainte-Victoire mountain. Within these areas, five terroir designations are recognized: Sainte-Victoire, Fréjus, La Londe, Notre Dame des Anges, and Pierrefeu. These terroir classifications signify the official acknowledgment by the INAO of the wines' typicity and the terroir.

Grape Varieties in Côtes de Provence: In Provence, blending different grape varieties is a longstanding winemaking tradition. For red and rosé wines, the appellation specifications mandate a list of main grape varieties and a list of secondary grape varieties.

Main grape varieties: Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, and Tibouren Secondary grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Clairette, Semillon, Ugni Blanc, and Vermentino (Rolle). The main grape varieties must constitute at least 70% of the vineyard, and grape varieties such as Clairette, Ugni Blanc, Sémillon, and Vermentino (Rolle) cannot exceed 20% of the vineyard.

For white wines in the Côtes de Provence appellation, the approved grape varieties are Vermentino, Clairette, Sémillon, and Ugni Blanc.