It’s a time-honored activity in the region. The wine comes from typical Mediterranean grapes which grow splendidly on the dry and sunny hillsides.
The best known generic AOC is the "Côte du Rhône" which dates from 1937.
Wines are classified into 3 groups :
The best known ones are the ones from the Meridional Côtes du Rhône: Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Lirac, Tavel, and Vacqueras.
Each wine is very distinctive. Raised primarily in oak barrels, the naturally wooded flavor of these wines will exalt your taste buds.
Other appellations of the Rhône Valley also exist under a composed name Côtes du Rhône + AOC.
Notably: Coteaux du Tricastin, Côtes du Ventoux, Côtes du Luberon, Diois (Die Wines), Costières de Nîmes.
These different AOC wines favor a quality approach which respects the unique identity of each one. Their original appellation is managed independently.
You can find different types of wine in every area of Provence :
Appellation d’origine Contrôlée (AOC) "Côtes du Ventoux", It’s made of different types of grapes:
For red wines and rosé : Main grapes: Grenache Noir, Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvèdre, Carignan. Secondary grapes : Picpoul noir, Counoise, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne.
For white wines : Clairette, Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne.
Appellation d’origine Contrôlée (AOC) "Côtes du Luberon" (red, rosé, white), It’s made of different types of grapes:
For red wines : Grenache noir, Syrah noir, Mourvèdre noir, Carignan noir, Cinsault noir, Counoise noir, Picpoul noir, Gamay noir à jus blanc, Pinot noir.
For white wines : Grenache blanc, Clairette blanche, Bourboulenc blanc, Ugni blanc, Vermentino or "Rolle", Roussanne blanc, Marsanne blanc.
You can also find the AOC COTEAU D’AIX, in particular in the ALPILLES
The AOC COTEAU D’AIX was created in 1985. It is made of different grapes: Cabernet-Sauvignon, Carignan, Cinsault, Counoise, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah for red and rosé wines..
Then in 1995, the AOC Les Baux de Provence, essentially made with Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah grapes for red and rosé wines.
Red wine, fine and fruity, is drunk at room temperature (18°) with meat or cheese.
Rosé is to be served very cool (7 to 8°), but not freezing, with appetizers and cold meat.
White wine, dry and lustrous, does wonders with fish and other seafood.
