Provence attracts thousands of tourists every year. Between its magical landscapes, its sunny gastronomy and its Mediterranean climate, this region offers the best. Among the Provençal delights, it is impossible to miss the wines. Let's find out which are the best wines of Provence.
HOW DO YOU RECOGNISE A GOOD PROVENCE WINE?
Faced with the multitude of wines produced in Provence, one must admit that one does not always find oneself tasting a very good bottle. The good wine from Provence can be recognised by several typical criteria.
Characteristics of a good white wine from Provence
The white wine from Provence is recognised by its freshness and smoothness. The best white wines from Provence develop floral notes, but also aromas of white fruit and citrus. When aged in oak, it becomes more complex and full-bodied, offering notes of dried fruit, honey and quince.
The characteristics of a good Provence rosé wine
Rosé wines represent 90% of the wine production in Provence. There is a great diversity of wines, from the lightest to the most robust. However, the best Provençal rosé wines are rather fresh and light, with subtle aromas of small red fruits, a bouquet of flowers, or citrus fruits. The Provence rosés winey, more structured, develop aromas of potpourri and sweet spices.
Characteristics of a good red wine from Provence
The Provençal red wines The wines are fresh and supple, and the tannin content depends on the dominant grape variety. Notes of red fruit are present, with additional aromas of liquorice, sweet spices and garrigue.
THE BEST ROSÉ WINES OF PROVENCE
A wine from Provence is chosen according to its colour. The terroir inevitably guides us towards a good bottle of rosé from Provence a world-renowned speciality.
Rosé wine from Provence: food and wine pairing
Fresh and subtly revealing notes of citrus and red berries, rosé wine is an ideal choice to accompany dishes and recipes that are not too spicy. It will therefore be served with seafood, white meats, or vegetables. We appreciate a good glass of rosé de Provence As an aperitif, with fresh appetizers, but also as a starter, with a fresh salad, or as a main course, with a Provencal veal sauté. For dessert, Provence rosé goes well with all fruit-based recipes.
The best vintages and grape varieties of Provence rosé wine
The best provençal rosés are generally made from 6 traditional grape varieties: Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Tibouren, Mourvèdre and Vermentino.
In single-variety or blended wines, these varieties manage to produce exceptional vintages, as is the case with the 1998, 2018, 2017, 2016 or 2015 vintages. Let us note the very beautiful year 2019, which gave exceptional rosé wines, like the Château de Berne Côtes de Provence, which obtained the excellent score of 90/100 by the wine enthusiast.
The best rosé wine estates in Provence
It must be said that some vineyards stand out from the rest, and produce very high quality rosé wines. Here are some of them:
- The Château de Pibarnon, in the Bandol appellation;
- Domaine Commanderie de la Bargemone, in AOC Côteaux d'Aix-en-Provence;
- The Château des Bertrands, in AOC Côtes de Provence ;
- Domaine Bagnol, in the Cassis appellation;
- Château Simone, AOC Palette ;
- The Domaine de Berne, in AOC Côtes de Provence.
THE BEST RED WINES OF PROVENCE
Although the red wine Although it is not the majority production in Provence, it is nevertheless a quality wine, to be enjoyed all year round.
Red wine from Provence: food and wine pairing
We recognize the Provençal red wines to their red fruit aromas, which quickly give way to more spicy notes. This makes the red wine from Provence A wine of choice to accompany spicy recipes. It can be enjoyed with typical Mediterranean dishes based on lamb or beef, but also with seafood.
The best vintages and grape varieties of red wine in Provence
In viticulture, one year follows another and no two are alike. The red wines The quality of the wines produced varies, and some vintages stand out from the rest, with exceptional red wines from Provence. This is the case of the 1986, 1996, 1990, 1992, 1988 and 1989 vintages (classified in order of exception).
The quality of the wine depends on the climate, but also on the different grape varieties. The red wine from Provence is usually produced from :
- Syrah ;
- Cabernet Sauvignon ;
- Mourvèdre ;
- Grenache ;
- Cinsault ;
- Carignan.
The best red wine estates in Provence
It is difficult to make a choice of red wine There are so many vineyards. To ensure that you taste a quality wine, you can rely on certain winegrowers with undeniable know-how:
- Domaine Maubernard, in Bandol AOC ;
- Domaine Ultimate Provence, in AOC Côtes-de-Provence (in organic conversion);
- The Château de Crémat, in the Bellet AOC;
- Domaine Hauvette, in AOC Les Baux-de-Provence.
THE BEST WHITE WINES OF PROVENCE
Less cultivated in the vineyards of Provence, the white wine. However, it offers a fresh and light drink that appeals to connoisseurs.
White wine from Provence: food and wine pairing
With its white fruit and citrus aromas, the white wine from Provence brings freshness and lightness to fine and delicate Provencal dishes. It can be enjoyed as an aperitif, but also as an accompaniment to lobster, seafood, white meat or fatty fish. For dessert, the white wines of Provence are perfect for sweet recipes, whether fruity or chocolate.
The best vintages and grape varieties of white wine from Provence
Each year, the winegrower cultivates the vines taking into account the weather and the terroir, to offer exceptional Provencal white wines. Produced from the grape varieties Clairette, Vermentino, Sémillon, Rolle, Ugni blanc and Marsanne, the finest white wine vintages are undeniably :
- The 1998 vintage ;
- The 2006 vintage ;
- The 2007 vintage ;
- The 2000 vintage ;
- The 2011 vintage ;
- The 2017 vintage.
The best white wine estates in Provence
In the midst of the rosé wine vines are vineyards producing quality white wines. To find them, here is a selection of the most important wineries:
- The Domaine du Paternel, in the Cassis AOC;
- The Château de Bellet, on the heights of Nice, in the Bellet AOC;
- Château de Beaupré, in AOC Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence;
- Château Crémade, in AOC Palette ;
- Château Saint Roux, in AOC Côtes de Provence (organic farming).
You are looking for best wines of Provence ? Go directly to the cellars of the various winegrowers to discover the best that Provence has to offer.
