Tucked in the south east corner of France, Provence is a region known for setting rosé standards. It is the oldest wine region in France, and it is the only place in the world that has a research facility dedicated to creating the perfect rosé. In this region, rosé is not a fad or a trendy summer drink, it is a staple beverage that has been crafted for decades. If you are looking for some of the best in the world, it is safe to say this is where to look for it! The signature rosé style here is dry, earthy and snappy with notes of fresh red fruit. In addition to being consumed without food, these rosés can complement rich foods such as olives and heavier fish.

When shopping for Provence wines, keep an eye out for Bandol, a small region within Provence that is known for producing some of the best dry rosé and emerging red wines. The primary grape used in rosé blends is mourvédre which gives the blends more structure and some spice. Rosés from Provence can range from $20-$50 and red blends can range from $60-$90. Here are some of the wines from this region on my list:

1. Maison No. 9 Rosé
2. Commanderie de la Bargemone Cuvée Marina Rosé
3. Domaines Ott Chateau de Selle Rosé (Coueur De Grain)
4. Domaine Tempier Bandol Cuvée Cabassaou

Many of the rosé bottles in this region look like water bottles with a clear, slender body and glass “cork”. This is to show the consumer the beautiful color of the wine and can be reused (bonus points for Provence!). Be aware that wines stored in clear glass bottles should be kept away from sunlight to prevent premature aging and should be consumed within a year of purchase.

Rosé gains its pink pigmentation from the skins of the red grapes it is made with. During fermentation, the wine is left in contact with the skins for a short period of time and then the skins are taken out for the remainder of the process. The majority of red wines are left in contact with the skins for the entire process and white wines are rarely fermented with skins. Here are some of the major grapes that can be found in Provence wines:

White

• Grenache Blanc
• Roelle - said to be the secret to creating amazing rosés in this region!

Red

• Cinsault
• Grenache
• Mourvédre

These grapes thrive in Provence’s climate because they are able to ripen throughout the warm, long summer season. The climate is heavily influenced by the temperature moderating Mediterranean Sea, the rolling foothills of the Alps, endless amounts of sunshine and the famous Le Mistral winds that keep the vineyards dry to prevent rot. Throughout the region, the grape vines grow alongside lavender fields and rosemary bushes. Author Karen MacNeil claims that the best rosés from this region are influenced by these surroundings and reflect them in the aromas. Many of the vineyards are planted on limestone bedrock which was once the floor of the Mediterranean Sea. This is one of the reasons wines grown here pair so well with seafood! If it grows together, it goes together.

Some of the recognized AOC’s (appellation d'origine contrôlée – a defined area of land with a unique climate/soil that produces wines according to French standards) in this region are:

1. Bandol: The smallest and best AOC in Provence. Known to produce excellent dry rosés that have some structure.
2. Côtes de Provence: The largest AOC where the easy drinking, simple rosés are made.
3. Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence: Some Cabernet Sauvignon is grown here and blended into the rosés to make them unique to this AOC.

These AOC’s make up Provence - a beautiful, old world, dreamy place that has cultivated the standards for rosés across the globe. If you have the chance to try a rosé or a mourvédre red blend from this region, you definitely should. I hope to travel to Provence in the next couple of years and experience the wine firsthand. Until then, I can travel there vicariously by sipping on a Bandol rosé!

Photo Creative Commons Licenses

*Photo: Aurel, France by ER Bauer

**Photo: Le Mont Aurélien by x1klima

***Photo: Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence by decar66