What does the name Provence bring to mind? Lavender, olive trees, sun and wine of course. Lots of it! White, red and the famed rosé! Nearly 90% of the area's production is rosé. The wine region of Provence lies along the Mediterranean coast of France, tucked between the Rhone River to the west and the Côte d'Azur on the east. One of the lesser-known wine regions of France, its popularity is constantly growing.
The vines soak up the sun during the long, dry summers thanks to the Mediterranean climate that provides around 3000 sunshine hours per year, together with an annual average temperature of 58°F (14,5°C). The harvest conditions are generally ideal, enabling the winegrowers to pick perfectly ripe grapes to produce the best wines. Unlike regions such as Bordeaux, rot and other vine diseases are not a problem for the majority of winegrowers as the Mediterranean influence moderates the scorching temperatures while the "Mistral" wind keeps the vines dry and free of pests.
Provence is nothing if not diverse. Mountain ranges, slopes and sheltered valleys provide a great variety of soils - limestone in the west and crystalline schist in the east. With such a variety of soils and altitudes, it makes perfect sense that Provence should be home to many varietals. White grape varieties include Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne and Clairette while the red and rosé wines are often made with Mourvèdre, Grenache Noir, Cinsault and many more.
Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence is the second-largest wine-growing region of Provence, dating back as far as 600 BC. The wines produced here were greatly favored by the Royal Courts of Europe in the 15th century. Covering about 9900 acres of land to the north and west of the town of Aix-en-Provence, it produces mainly rosé wine. But that's not all there is to see here, for every day is market day in Aix-en-Provence! Locals and visitors alike love to gather in the beautiful squares to hear the chatter of the merchants inviting them to taste their produce: fruit, vegetables, flowers, herbs and wine.
Then it's time to cook!
For those who don’t feel comfortable cooking, you will have the opportunity to relax and enjoy a conversation over a glass of Provence wine while you watch your meal being prepared.
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