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All About Wines from Provence

  • Yasmin Coles
  • March 7, 2011

The prestige of French wine is such that many of its variations have claimed exclusivity when it comes to certain bottles.  For instance; a Champagne must be made in the province of Champagne whereas as a Bordeaux should be made from grapes grown in Bordeaux, France.  These claims are based on the established concept of terroir and the Appellation d’origine controlee (AOC) system which marks a particular bottle as unique in terms of origins and properties.  This is to say that a Champagne is a Champagne because of the unique characteristics of Champagne soil (from the notion of terroir) and that the particular bottle passes the Champagne standards set by the AOC certifying that a specific bottle is indeed a true champagne.

Wines from Provence, in this regard, is not called Provence wine, but rather this southern region of France has claimed a special niche in the wine domain with its world-famous rose.

Unlike other French wines, rose is not “exclusive”to France based on terroir and the AOC standards.  However, the definition of a French rose is usually associated with the wines from Provence, the place considered as the “heart of rose wine production”.  Making a rose is actually a distinct process; unlike the misconception that rose is a mere combination of red and white wine (with the exception of the champagne rose), this pinkish”wine attains its color and flavor based on two distinct processes: skin contact and saignee.  These two processes are based on how the crushed grapes are treated, from the duration of skin contact with the juice to having the grapes “bleed”to attain a certain tint.

All About Wines from ProvenceProvence’s rose is of course distinct because of its terroir attributes in addition to its makers’ processes according to the AOC guidelines.  In addition, Provence has been significant in rose wine production because making this particular wine has been ingrained in the region’s culture.  The history of rose traces its long roots from the pale-colored wines that were already present in ancient Greece.  The practice of Greek and Roman winemaking would eventually make its way to France through the coastal towns of Provence.  In fact, the French vineyards are believed to have begun in the soils of Provencal soil.

Because winemaking became a practice that was embraced in Provence, the region further developed this art through monastic orders during the Middle Ages.  At this point, Provencal winemaking was already establishing the rose winemaking process.  When the French kings and aristocrats saw this booming industry, rose winemaking was further developed as the demand increased, and Provence opened its roads for new markets.

As Provence is located in southern France with its geography known for its hilly terrain that combines dry hills, lush river valleys and coastal features thanks to the waters of the Mediterranean, its grape varieties are considered perfect for rose wine.  Provence makes its rose wines using its different red grape varieties.  Famous grapes grown in Provence that are turned into rose include Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Mourvedre, Tibouren, Carignan, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The Provencal terroir boasts of its great combination of substantial sunshine, soil from the Mediterranean Basins, coastal breeze, and the unique vegetation which Provence is known for such as lavender fields and rosemary- and thyme-covered hills.  This physical environment and geographic elements make the different grape varieties being grown in Provence quite unique, thus making these fruit perfect for making rose wine.

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