“A day without wine is like a day without sun.” Provençal proverb.
Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur – the beautiful locality we call home – is one of the oldest and largest wine producing regions in France. Under cultivation since 600 BC when the Ancient Greeks founded Marseille, wines in Provence are synonymous with diversity. This is the result of 18,000 hectares of vineyards, a uniquely varied terroir, plenty of sunshine and the vital dryness created by the famous Mistral winds. All of this on our doorstep at Parc du Cap!
Provence’s history with rosé
The area that became ‘Provence’ was originally named ‘Provincia Nostra’ or ‘our province’ when it was conquered by the Romans. Provence then became one of the first established vineyard regions in France, specialising in rosé and red wines. After the fall of the Roman Empire, local monks kept the winemaking traditions alive from the 5th to the 12th Centuries, producing wine in order to fund their monasteries.
Today, Provence is France’s leading producer of rosé wine, with around 140 million bottles produced each year. This accounts for over a third of the country’s total production (38%) and around 8% of global production. Such is Provençal rosé’s international reputation, that for the last decade France has been the world’s number 1 producer and consumer of rosé wine. As with Champagne, there is a quality guarantee with Provençal rosé – in large part due to the producers who have gone to great lengths to invest in and master rosé winemaking. It takes skill to deliver perfection.
The love affair with rosé
A distinguishing factor of Provençal rosé is its lighter colour than other rosés – a delicate orange-tinted pink that can sometimes verge on clear. It gets its pink colour from the skin of the grapes being removed before it turns red. Moreover, it has lower tannins and subtler flavours than red wine. But that doesn’t mean Provençal rosé lacks complexity. Largely thanks to the grapes used in its production, such as Grenache, Cinsault, and Mourvedre, you can get anything from classic berry flavours to citrus notes, florals, minerality and even spiciness.
Rosé consumption continues to grow, with sales showing this isn’t reserved purely for warm weather. With its dry, savoury edge that wakes up the taste buds, Provençal rosé can be paired with a variety of meals all-year-round. Seafood dishes, barbecued meats, salads and cheese platters all pair well with rosé. Most importantly, m rosé is usually moderate in ABV (averaging 12%), explaining why rosé is perceived as an easy drinking, fresher and social wine. It is meant to be shared!
There are many excellent producers in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, including Château Léoube and Château L’Escarelle. Notable Provence rosés include Côtes de Provence, a classic rosé with mineral and berry notes; Bandol, a refreshing and juicy vintage with ripe berry flavours; Cassis, with savoury, earthy tones and Grenache strawberry; and Coteaux Varois, light and fruity with bright acidity.
Beyond the pale pink
Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur isn’t purely a rosé region. It also produces gutsy, full-bodied red wines which can be cellar-aged for several years, as well as light, delicate and soft white wines. The months of September and October are a particularly auspicious time for Provence wines. Farmers get to work with harvesting the mature grape, filling the air with the sweet aroma of fruit and festivals and markets can be found throughout the season in celebration of this harvest. Whatever your tipple of choice, there’s no greater pleasure for wine appreciators than sharing a bottle of fine local wine with family and friends, on your terrace at Parc du Cap or your spacious indoor living area. In short, why wait until next summer to enquire? Get in touch to find out more today.
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