Provence is the most visited region in France and it is easy to understand why: blue skies, warm summers, singing cicadas and abundant sunshine are the norm. A great time is certainly guaranteed: whatever your favorite hobbies are, you are bound to find a related activity in one of the many touristic routes of Provence. Choose among the Cézanne Circuit for those art-inclined; the Heritage Route for a dose of history and culture; the Lavender Route (picture blue fields as far as the eye can see); the Perched Villages Route for those with a passion for yesteryear architecture and of course, the Wines of Provence Route for all of those who love and appreciate wine.
This Mediterranean region is commonly known for its refreshing rosés; however, the wines of Provence offer a lot more diversity than one might think. Sure, the millenary wine-growing traditions in the area combined with its climate, the vineyards’ location and apt grape varieties make up the ideal conditions for incredible rosés, but there is also an increasing number of strong reds and light, aromatic white wines that have earned their spot within the Provence wines. In fact, the region accounts for 6% of the French production of AOCs (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée: "Controlled Designation of Origin") in all three colors: white, rosé and red.
The wines of Provence are shaped by the region’s diverse landscape, the violent but beneficial Mistral wind, which at 90km/h dries and protects the vine against moisture-related sicknesses- and the dry Provençal climate with its 2,900 hours of sunlight per year (in comparison, Paris only gets 1,600).
The Provence wine region is the heart of the world’s dry rosé, responsible for 35% of the domestic production and 6% of the world’s “pink” wines. It encompasses the world-famous cities of Aix-en-Provence, Arles, Avignon, Marseille, Cannes, Nice, and Saint-Tropez. Three major appellations produce 96% of the wines of Provence: Côtes de Provence AOC (with its 4 sub-appellations), Côteaux d'Aix-en-Provence AOC and Côteaux Varois en Provence AOC.
Synonym of summer and easy to drink, French rosé wine is extremely popular in its home country: in fact, rosé outsells white wine in France. Provence rosé is a staple in the sun-drenched south: fresh, crisp, and dry it is a refreshing and welcome quencher, especially during the hot summer months, although it is drunk year-round. A match made in heaven for the Mediterranean cuisine served in the area and a great apéro option for when the sun starts to set, Provence rosé is the quintessential French seaside wine.
There are 430 vineyards and cooperative wine cellars along the Provence wine route, from the outskirts of Nice to the Camargue. They open their doors to visitors to allow them to take part in the “backstage” of how the most famous French rosé wines are made and, of course, to delight them with Provence rosé informative wine tastings.
The Provence wine region has it all for a memorable holiday: guaranteed sunshine, blue skies and crystalline waters, the occasional Hollywood star strutting down the red carpet in Cannes and the seemingly endless lavender fields. Come enjoy la vie en rosé while sipping on a glass of coral-hued Provence wine.
