All About Provence Rosé
By Indira Vegel Published August 2021
Some wine connoisseurs believe French wines are the exemplar of quality and finesse in winemaking. One might first think of Champagne or Bordeaux as stand-out wine regions in France, but there is another region we believe should behold a similar fame to the Southeast – Provence. The region of Provence is most widely known for its captivating history, vivid culture and of course, its world renounced rosé wine!
What Makes Provence Rosé So Special?
Tradition and culture are deeply rooted in France, and winemaking is at the forefront of both. Provence is the birthplace of France’s wine growing tradition, dating back to 600 B.C., when the Greeks first introduced vines into the country. Provence is home to the most sustainable vineyards in the country, setting a record high with 32% of sustainable vines. Most notably, rosé wine represents 91% of the overall wine production in Provence (and 4.2% of the world’s, with the United States being the second largest consumer.)
Each terroir of Provence plays an important role in the characteristics of the crop and personality of the wine. Understanding the terroir of the wine is truly understanding the wine itself. The region is home to three protected appellations that represent 96% of the total Provence AOP (Appellation d’Origine Protégée)- Côtes de Provence, Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence and Coteaux Varois en Provence. Within Côtes de Provence, there are five terroir designations: Sainte-Victoire, Fréjus, La Londe, Pierrefeu and Notre-Dame des Anges.
Provence’s Mediterranean climate ranges from sunny to dry to windy; the grapevines can expect about 300 days of sunshine, and some days of violent mistral wind that cools down the vineyards and protects them from humidity-related illnesses. This particular climate along with the terroir influences all aspects of the wine, from color, body and flavors. Provence wines are a staple of what a good, refreshing pink wine should be - pale in color, dry, vibrant, crisp, acidic, and of course, food-friendly.
Winemakers in this region are subject to strict laws governing the geographical origin of the grapes and methods of production, including the varieties and percentages of grapes used in the wine produced in a particular Appellation d'Origine Protégée (AOP). AOP ensures the consumer a recognizable style due to the origin and a certain level of consistency in quality. Additionally, Provence’s dedicated Rosé Research Center carries out scientific research and experiments on rosé wine. This highly professional agent provides better knowledge of terroirs and varietals, and greater mastery of winemaking and conservation techniques, with a concern for constant improvement of quality, and adaptation to climate change.
If you’re anything like me after all this talk about Provence, you’re most likely craving a nice, chilled rosé. ABC offers a wide selection of rosés from this notable region. Shop them at your local store or online at abcfws.com. My recommendation is to accompany it with a cheese board or Mediterranean dinner, but they also taste superb sipped solo – after all, the beauty of the wine is its versatility.
Pricing, selection and vintages may vary by location.