Taste our wines

Nowadays, Provence, the most ancient vineyards of France, produces wines of quality in the three colors even if rosé prevails. Among the eleven appelations of Provence, some are very prestigious like the labels of the southern of the Rhône Valley.
Others are worth discovering. They all give a good opportunity to make unforgettable trips through the marvelous Provençal domains, crossing fabulous countrysides, delightful villages, seeing many ancient monuments, meeting passionate wine growers; a good occasion to discover Provence.

The Greeks from Phocée introduced the grape plants in Provence from the sixth century BC. Afterwards, the Provençal vineyards were widely developed by the Romans. In the middle ages, monastic communities continued this activity, taking important incomes from their vineyards. Later, noble wealth families bought domains.

After this rapid development, viticulture eased. And only during the 19th century, there was a new takeoff. Unfortunately, the insect phylloxera destroyed the French vineyards. The reconstruction was very difficult and a crisis of overproduction followed which lead to the bad reputation of Provençal wine.

Clik here for the Wine Classification

In spite of these ups and downs, history of the grape in Provence can be explained by the perfect growing conditions: a poor earth , the sun, perfect ventilation with the wind called "mistral", a good rainfall.

Now the bad reputation has turned into a very good one because in the beginning of the century a great effort has been successfully made to produce wines of quality which is still rising :
- Great attention given to the culture itself, good fruits produce a good wine,
- There is more and more organic culture,
- Harvests are picked manually and late,
- Strict selection of the grape,
- Small productivity,
- The "savoir-faire" of the art of wine-making using traditional methods.

Some famous names :
Chateauneuf-du-Pape developped its vineyards in the thirteenth century when the popes arrived in Avignon. Vine plants are everywhere on this extraordinary plateau of boulders called "galets roulés" that store warmth during the day and return it during the night allowing the grape plant to ripent. All are long lived wines.

Bandol, the best area of Mediterranée for red wines which are grown so that they can be kept for at least ten years from principally the capricious grape of "mourvèdre".
Cassis, with its vineyards settled on hills falling into the sea in a sumptuous spot surrounded by impressive cliffs, produces an excellent and original white wine ideal with the typical Provençal cooking like "bouillabaisse".

Palette is a minuscule appelation near Aix-en-Provence, one of the smallest in France but it produces exceptional wines in the three colors considered by many people as the best of Provence. Red wines can be kept more than thirty years. white wines reach their fullness after ten years.

Clik here for the map of wines areas