🇫🇷The MIDI

  • GEOGRAPHY– France(South), REGION-Combination of Provence & Languedoc-Rousillon
  • TOPOGRAPHY– “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly/ Mountainous”, On~Coast/ Mediterranean~Sea~
    • **Refer to “PROVENCE/ LANGUEDOC/ ROUSILLON” For Detailed Information.
  • CULTURE– Synonymous For Provence & Languedoc-Roussillon.
    • ~Etymology~ Named After the Mid-Day Time of Extreme Heat and Inactivity.

🇫🇷FRANCE–Provence

PROVENCE IS–   AOC.- 12     IGP.– 10     @Mareille

  • BLANC= Rolle AKA=Vermentino 6%, Bourboulenc, Clairette, Coloombard, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Muscat a Petits Grains, Macabeu, Panse Muscade, Panse du Roy Rene, Pascal, Pignerol, Semillon, Spagnol AKA=Damaschino/ Mayorquin, Sauvignon Blanc, Terret Blanc, Ugni Blanc
  • ROUGE= Grenache 37%, Cinsaut 17%, Syrah 17%, Carignan 8%, Barbaroux, Braquet AKA=Brachetto, Brun Fourca, Cabernet Sauvignon, Calitor, Durif, Folle Noir AKA=Jurancon, Mourvèdre, Petit Brun, Pinot Noir, Tibouren, Tannat

GEOGRAPHY– France(South-East), REGION-Provence, LATITUDE: 44° ‘N‘

  • South of Rhone Valley, (200 km. Long), BETWEEN-Southern Alps and Mediterranean Sea
  • DEPARTMENTS-Alpes-Haute-Provence, Hautes-Alpes, Alpes-Maritimes, Var, Vaucluse, Douches-du-Rhone
  • AOC.’s- Aix-en-Provence AOC., Ballet AOC., Bandol AOC., Les Baux de Provence AOC., Cassis AOC., Coteaux Pierrevert AOC., Coteaux Varois en Provence AOC., Cotes de Provence AOC., Frejus AOC., La Londe AOC., Notre-Dame-Des-Anges AOC., Palette AOC., Pierrefeu AOC., Ste.-Victoire AOC.
  • IGP.’s- Alpolles IGP., Alps de Haute-Provence IGP., Alpes-Maritimes IGP., Bouches-du-Rhone IGP., Cote Catalanes IGP., Gard IGP., Maures IGP., Mediterranee IGP., Mont Caume IGP., Dable de Camargue IGP., Var IGP.

TOPOGRAPHY– “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly”, On~Coast/ Mediterranean~Sea~

SOILS– “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”,“Volcanic”, Limestone, Clay, Sandstone Red Sandstone, Granite

  • Cretaceous Age(Calcareous Sandstones and Sandy Marl),  Jurassic Age
  • Triassic Age(Red/ White Limestone)

CLIMATE– “Mediterranean”,  Summers– Long/ Warm  |   Winters– Mild

VITICULTURE

  • CHALLENGE– +WINDS/ ~Mistral~, Make Pollination Difficult
    • ~Overripeness~ Sunburn and Accumulation of Sugar Needs to Be Monitored.
  • ADVANTAGES– +WINDS/ ~Mistral~, No Mildew Pressure
  • Restanques- Stone Terraces Use In Steep Vineyards

VINICULTURE– Wine Produced In “PROVENCE” Non-Conforming to AOC.

  • *STYLE– Generally Provence Rose is Dry, Elegant, Light, Lower ABV., Not Overly Fruity, With Good Acidity.

HISTORY– Greeks Introduced in

  • 600 BC. @Province– Wine Culture Influence by Romans, Gauls, Catalans.

CULTURE

  • Cote d’Azur- The Coastal Area of Provence AKA=The French Riviera/ Cote d’Azur Includes the Famous Glamorous Beach Areas of Cannes, Nice, Saint-Tropez and the Country of Monaco.
  • GASTRONOMY… Bouillabaisse, Tapenade, Truffles, Rice, Lavender
    • CHEESE… Banon(Goat/ Fresh-Aged)
  • ~Garrique~ Provençal Scrubland Landscape, Garrigue is Said to Infuse In Grapes/ Wine In Close Proximity.
  • ACADEMIC~ ~Centre du Rose~  @Lidauban
    • Mission~ Cross Breeding Projects to Optimize the Performance of Provencal Varieties.

PROVENCE WINE CLASSIFICATION (1955) (Classified by Estate)

  • Based On Evaluation of the Estates History, Winemaker and Cellar Reputation, Overall Vineyard Quality. In 1955 There Were Originally 23, Now There Are 18 Estates
    • Domaine de L’Aumerade     |     Chateau de la Clapiere
    • Domaine de la Croix     |     Domaine du Noyer
    • Chateau de Bregancon(Cotes de Provence)     |     Clos Cibonne(Cotes de Provence)
    • Chateau du Galoupet     |     Chateau de Saint-Martin
    • Domaine du Jas d’Esclans     |     Chateau de Mauvanne
    • Chateau Minuty     |     Clos Mireille
    • Domain de Rimauresq     |     Chateau de Roubine
    • Chateau Sainte-Marguerite     |     Chateau Saint-Maur
    • Chateau Sainte-Roseline     |     Chateau de Selle

**Refer to “FRANCE/ Home” For Detailed Information On France as a Country.

**Provence Wine Map Images Courtesy of Delong Maps, Purchase Maps at Delongwine.com

AIX-En-PROVENCE AOC.     @Aix

  • BLANC= Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Rolle, Sauvignon Blanc, Ungi Blanc
  • ROUGE= Bourboulenc, Cinsaut, Counoise, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah
  • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Provence(West), West of Aix-en-Provence-City(      km.)
    • Sub-Zone- Les Baux de Provence
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly”, SLOPES/ Montagne du Luberon
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”, Limestone
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean”
  • VITICULTURE- 4,100 ha. Planted
    • Estate/ Producers- Adnams, AIX, Bardebelle, Beaulieu, Commanderie de la Bargemone, La Coste, Paradis, Pigoudet, Saint Aix
  • Les BAUX De PROVENCE AOC.      @Baux
    • BLANC= Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Vermentino
    • ROUGE= Carignan, Cinsaut, Counoise, Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah
    • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Provence(North–West), In Aix-en-Provence AOC.(North-West)
      • South of Avignon-City(   km.)
      • COMMUNES-Fontvieille, Maussane-Les-Alpilles, Mouries, Paradou, Saint-Etienne-du-Gres, Saint-Remy-de-Provence
    • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly”, SLOPES/ Alpilles Hills, +Alt. ?, South of Rhone Delta
    • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”, Limestone
    • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean”
    • VITICULTURE- 280 ha. Planted
    • VINICULTURE- Rose
      • Estate/ Producers- Estoublon, Hauvette, Mas de Gourgonnier, Mas de la Dame, Romanin

PALETTE AOC.     @Palette

  • BLANC= Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Panse du Roy Rene, Terret Gris, Ugni Blanc
  • ROUGE= Mourvedre 30%, Grenache 20%, Cinsaut 15%, Bun Fourca, Carignan, Castet, Syrah, Tibouren
  • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Provence(Central-Interior), DEPARTMENT-?
    • Hills East of Aix-en-Provence
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly”, On~Arc~River~
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”, Limestone Outcrop
  • VITICULTURE- 45 ha. Planted
    • Estate/ Producers- La Badiane, , Cremade, Henri Bonnaud, Meyreuil, Simone

COTEAUX PIERREVERT AOC.     @Manosque

  • BLANC=  Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Ugni Blanc, Vermentino, Viognier
  • ROUGE= Carignan, Cinsaut, Grenache, Pinot Noir, Syrah
  • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Southern Rhone Valley, @Hw.#A51/ #D6
    • BORDERS-Luberon AOC.(West), (AOC. Laps)Southern Rhone ‘Region‘, “Non-Contiguous(2)”
    • DEPARTMENT-Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, COMMUNES-(11)-Greoux les Bains, Monosque, Pierrevert
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly/ Valley(Durance)”, SLOPES/ ?, +Alt. 1,000mt.
    • On~Durance~River~
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean” With “Continental” Influences, +WIND/ Le Minstral
  • VITICULTURE– 420  ha. Planted
    • Estate/ Producers- Blaque, Petra Viridis, Regusse, Rousset, Saint Jean Lez Durance
  • CULTURE- Pierreverts Culture, Boundaries and Identity  is Divided Between Rhone and Provence.
    • **Refer to “SOUTHERN RHONE/ Coteaux Pierrevert AOC.” For Additional Information.

COTEAUX VAROIS En PROVENCE AOC.     @

  • BLANC= Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Rolle, Semillon, Ungi Blanc
  • ROUGE= Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Cinsault, Syrah, Tibouren
  • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Provence(Central-Interior), DEPARTMENTS-Var, “Non-Contiguous(2)”
    • CITIES-Barjols, Brignoles, La Roquebrussanne, Salernes, St.-Maximim-la-Ste-Baume, COMMUNES-(28)-
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly”, SLOPES/ Sainte-Blume Massif, +Alt 600mt.- 1,000mt.
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”, Limestone
  • VITICULTURE- 2,600 ha. Planted
    • Estate/ Producers- Estandon, Grand’Vigne, Margui, Routas, Saint-Andrieu, Thuerry

COTES De PROVENCE AOC.     @Marseille, Toulon

  • BLANC= Roll
  • ROUGE= Cinsaut, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Tibouren
  • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Provence(East), DEPARTMENT-Var
    • “Non-Contiguous(5)”, “Multi-Appellation”, COMMUNES-(85)-
    • Sub-Zones/ AOC’s– Frejus, La Londe, Norte Dame des Anges, Pierrefeu, Sainte-Victoire
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling/ Terraced”, SLOPES/ Massif des Maures
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, Gravel “Sedimentary”, Limestone, “Volcanic”
  • VITICULTURE-  20,000 ha. Planted
  • VINICULTURE- 🌹
    • Estate/ Producers- Bregancon(Cru Classe), La Croix(Cru Classe), Du Dragon, Luke Belaire, La Mascaronne, Minuty, Clos Mireille(Domaines Ott), Mapliers(10ha.), De Pampelonne, Rimauresq(Cru Classe), Roubine(Kosher), Saint-Maur(Cru Classe), De Selle(Domaines Ott), Vie Vite
  • SUB-ZONES NOT IN DEDICATED AOC.– Saint Tropez
  • COTES De PROVENCE STE.-VICTOIRE AOC.      @Ste-Victoire
    • BLANC= ?
    • ROUGE= Carignan, Cinsaut, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Tibouren
    • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Provence, In Cotes de Provence AOC.(West), “Non-Contiguous”
      • COMMUNES-Chateauneuf-Le-Rouge, Meyreuil, Peynier,Pourcieux, Pourrieres, Puyloubier, Rousseau, Le Tholonet, Trets
    • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly”
      • SLOPES/ Ste.-Victoire Mountains(Monts Aureliens, Sainte-Baume), +Alt. ?
    • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”, Limestone Ridge
    • VITICULTURE- 506 ha. Planted
      • Estate/ Producers- Clos Cibonne(Cru Classe), Coussin, Estandon, Famille Sumeire, Ferrages, Gassier, Grand Boise, Mas de Cadenet, Mathilde Chapoutier, Terre de Mistral(50ha.), Triennes
  • COTES De PROVENCE PIERREFEU AOC.     @Toulon
    • BLANC= Rolle
    • ROUGE= Cinsaut, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Tibouren
    • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Provence, In Cotes de Provence AOC.
      • COMMUNES–
    • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly”, SLOPES/ ?, +Alt. ?
    • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, Schist, Quartzite, Sandstone
    • VITICULTURE-  ?  ha. Planted
      • Estate/ Producers- Peigros
  • COTES De PROVENCE LA LONDE AOC.     @La Londe
    • BLANC= Rolle
    • ROUGE= Cinsaut, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Tibouren
    • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Provence, In Cotes de Provence AOC.
      • COMMUNES-Bormes-les-Minosas, La Crau, Hyeres, La londe-les Maures
    • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly”, SLOPES/ Massif des Maures Hills, +Alt. ?
    • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, Schist, Quartzite, Sandstone
    • VITICULTURE-  ?  ha. Planted
      • Estate/ Producers- Les Valentines, Leoube, Ste.-Andre de Figuiere, Sainte Marquerite
  • COTES De PROVENCE NOTRE-DAME-DES-ANGES AOC.     @
    • BLANC= Rolle, Clairette, Semillon, Ugni Blanc
    • ROUGE= Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsaut, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Tibouren
    • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Provence, In Cotes de Provence AOC.
      • DEPARTMENT-Var
      • COMMUNES-(10)- Les Arce/Argens, Le Cannet-des-Maures, Carnoules, La Garde-Freinet, Gonfaron et Pignans, Le Luc, Les Mayons, Taradeau, Vidauban,
    • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly”, SLOPES/ ?, +Alt. ?
    • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, Schist, Quartzite, Sandstone
    • VITICULTURE- 3,800 ha./ 280 ha. Planted
      • Estate/ Producers-
  • COTES De PROVENCE FREJUS AOC.     @Frejus
    • BLANC= Vermentino
    • ROUGE= Cinsaut, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Tibouren
    • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Provence, In Cotes de Provence AOC.(East)
      • COMMUNES-La Motte, Le Muy, Puget-sur-Argens, Roquebrune-sur-Argens, Saint-Raphael, Frejus
    • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly”, SLOPES/ Massif de l’Esterei, +Alt. ?
      • On~Coast/ Mediterranean~Sea~
    • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”, Red Sandy Clay, Shale, Tufa, Yellow Loam
    • VITICULTURE- 250 ha. Planted
      • Estate/ Producers- Chateau d’Esclans(44 ha.), Paquette

CASSIS AOC.     @Cassis

  • BLANC= Bourboulenc AKA=Doucillon Blanc, Clairette, Marsanne, Pascal, Sauvignon Blanc, Terret Blanc, Ungin Blanc
  • ROUGE= Barbaroux, Bourboulenc, Cinsault, Grenache, Marsanne, Mourvèdre
  • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Provence(South), DEPARTMENT-Var
    • In Cotes de Provence AOC., West of Bandol-City(20 km.)
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly” SLOPES/ Montaigne la Canaille, +Alt. ?
    • On~Coast/ Mediterranean~Sea~
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”, Limestone
  • VITICULTURE- 168 ha. Planted
  • VINICULTURE- 🌹
    • Estate/ Producers- Bagnol, Clos Ste-Magdeleine, La Ferme, Fontcreuse, Paternel

BANDOL AOC.     @Bandol

  • BLANC= Clairette(+50%-90%), Bourboulenc, Marsanne, Ungi Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Rolle
  • ROUGE= Mourvèdre(+50%), Carignan, Cinsaut, Grenache, Syrah
  • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Provence(South-East), DEPARTMENT-Var, @Hw.#A57
    • In Cotes de Provence AOC., West of Toulon-City(15km.), LATITUDE: 43° ‘N‘
    • COMMUNES-(8)-Bandol, Le Beausset, La Cadiere-d’Azur, Le Castellet, Evenos, Ollioules, Saint Cyr-Sur-Mer, Sanary
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling, Hilly, Terraced”, On~Coast/ Mediterranean~Sea~/ Bay of Bandol
    • SLOPES/ Massif de la Sainte-Baume, +Alt. 400mt.,  BASIN/ Beausset
    • Surrounding Hills Form an Amphitheater Which Provides Micro-Climate.
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”, Limestone, Clay, Silicon
    • Cretaceous Age(Calcareous Sandstones and Sandy Marl)
  • VITICULTURE- 1,550 ha. Planted,  Restanques– Stone Terraces Use In Steep Vineyards
    • Vines Must Be +8 Years of Age For Non Rose Wines.
  • VINICULTURE- Blanc(10%),  Rose, (35%),   Rouge(55%),  All Blends Must Containing +50% of Main Grape.
    • Estate/ Producers- Antiane, D’Azur, Caves d’Azur, Des Baguiers, Barthes, La Begude(22ha.), Bunan, La Cadierenne, Cagueloup, Canadel, Castell-Reynoard, Le Clos du Cas, Costes Gallines, L’Estanol, Galantin, La Garenne, Jean-Pierre Gaussen, Gros Nore, Lafran-Veyrolles(Nat.Pro./10ha./1641), Lou Capelan, Marie Berenice, Maubernard, Du Moutin, Moulin de la Roque(Co.-Op./198 Growers/1,200ha.), La Noblesse, De L’Olivette, Romassan(Domaines Ott), Pey Neuf, De Pibarnon, Ray Jane, De La Ribotte, Sainte Anne, Salettes, Sorin, Suffrene, Tempier, Terrebrune, Vannieres, Vigneret
  • HISTORY- 600 BC. @Bandol– Phocaeans Brought Vines and Culture to What Would Be Bandol.
    • 1941 @Bandol– AOC. Officially Established
  • CULTURE- ASSOCIATIONS~ ~Les Vins de Bandol~
    • WINNER “Worlds Best”~ DtheV.com Awards “France’s Best AOC.”  (6th. Place)
      • **Refer to “WINE CULTURE/ Derek’s Top 6 List” For Detailed Information.

BALLET AOC.    @Nice

  • BLANC= Rolle 40%, Blanqueiron, Bourboulenc, Clairette, Mayorquin, Muscat Blanc a Petit Grain, Pignerol, Roussanne
  • ROUGE= Braquet, Fuella Nera AKA=Folle Noir
  • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Provence(East), DEPARTMENT– ?
    • In Cotes de Provence AOC.
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling”, SLOPES/ ?, +Alt. ?
    • On~Coast/ Mediterranean~Sea~
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”
  • VITICULTURE- 50 ha. Planted
    • Estate/ Producers- Cremat, Chateau de Bellet, Sicardi et Sergi, Domaine de Toasc
    • Vineyards- Candau, Cremat, Grand Bois, Golfan, Les Cappans, Lingestiera, Mont-Bellet, Saint-Romande Bellet, Puncia, Serre-Long, La Tour

Indication Geographiques Protegee IGP. of Provence

  • BLANC= Any White Grapes Varieties Approved For Production In Provence.
  • ROUGE= Any Red Grapes Varieties Approved For Production In Provence.
  • VITICULTURE- Wine Produced In “PROVENCE” Non-Conforming to an AOP.

COTES CATALANES IGP.     @

  • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Provence
    • Estate/ Producers- Chateau de Rey(Nat.Pro.)

ALPES-MARITIMES IGP.

  • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Provence, DEPARTMENTS-Alpes-Maritimes
  • TOPOGRAPHY– “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly”, SLOPES/ Alps(South)

MONT CAUME IGP.

  • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Provence, DEPARTMENT– Var

VAR IGP.

  • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Provence, DEPARTMENT-Var, Near Bandol
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly”, SLOPES/ Coastal Mountain Range/ Massif des Maures

BOUCHES-Du-RHONE IGP.

  • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Provence, Within Coteaux Aix-en-Provence

MAURES IGP.

  • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Provence

MEDITERRANEE IGP.

  • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Provence, DEPARTMENTS-Covers 10,  Including Corsica

ALPES-De-HAUTE-PROVENCE IGP.

  • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Provence, DEPARTMENTS-Alpes-de-Haute
  • TOPOGRAPHY– SLOPES/ Alps(South)

ALPOLLES IGP.

  • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Provence
  • TOPOGRAPHY– “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly”, On~Rhone~River~(East), SLOPES/ Chaine des Alpilles

SABLE DE CAMARGUE IGP.

  • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Provence, DEPARTMENTS-Herault, Gard & Bouches-du Rhone

GARD IGP.

  • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Provence, DEPARTMENTS-Gard

**Refer to “BIBLIOGRAPHY/ Sources” For Details On Scholarly Works Referenced.