Grenache
Native to Spain and one of the world's most widely planted varieties. Known for high alcohol and rich fruitiness. It shows its finest expression in Southern France's Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Spain's Priorat.
Provence is renowned as the world's premier rosé wine region. Under the Mediterranean climate, beautifully pale salmon-pink rosés are produced. The delicate, fresh flavors from blends of Grenache, Cinsault, and Mourvèdre are beloved worldwide as a summer staple. The landscape of lavender fields and blue seas adds to the region's allure.
Climate / Soil
- Climate
- Mediterranean climate
- Soil
- Limestone, Schist, Sandy, Clay
Appellations
- Côtes de Provence
- Bandol
- Cassis
- Palette
- Bellet
History
Around 600 BC, Greeks brought grapes to Marseille, marking the beginning of French winemaking. The region developed during Roman times, and monasteries continued the winemaking tradition in the Middle Ages. A rosé quality revolution in the late 20th century established its current global status.
Sommelier Note
Provence rosé is captivating not just for its beautiful appearance but also for its delicate flavors. Serve well-chilled with grilled summer vegetables or seafood for the perfect pairing. Bandol red wines are also powerful—a must for Mourvèdre lovers.
Key Varieties
Mourvèdre
A late-ripening grape that demands intense sunlight. Firm structure and a wild, gamey edge define it, and in GSM blends (Grenache/Syrah/Mourvèdre) it supplies structure and spice. In Bandol in southern France it dominates blends that yield long-lived reds.
Vermentino
A white grape planted widely around the Mediterranean. Fresh citrus and herb aromas are joined by a faint bitterness and salinity on the finish, evoking the food of the coast. It goes by Rolle in Provence and Favorita in Piedmont.
Cinsault
A black grape planted widely in southern France. Pale in colour and low in tannin, with red fruit and floral perfume. That lightness makes it indispensable in Provençal rosé, and in reds it is blended with Grenache and others to lift the whole.