Château d’Astros, Amour rosé BIO 2024

Region

Provence: A benchmark wine-growing region

Provence is one of France’s oldest and most prestigious wine-growing regions. Located in the south of the country, it stretches from the Rhône Valley to the Mediterranean Sea. It is world-renowned for its rosé wines, which account for the majority of its production.

Climate and soil

Provence enjoys a Mediterranean climate, characterised by hot, dry summers and mild winters. The Mistral, the region’s prevailing wind, plays an essential role in drying out the vines, limiting disease and ensuring the good health of the grapes. The soils vary from sub-region to sub-region and are made up of a mixture of limestone, clay, sand and schist, contributing to the diversity of the wines.

Rosé : An emblematic product of the region

Rosé is Provence’s flagship wine, accounting for around 90% of total production. These wines are distinguished by their pale colour, refreshing acidity and fruity aromas. The main grape varieties used are Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Mourvèdre.

Other wine styles

Although rosé dominates, Provence also produces excellent red and white wines:

-The reds, made mainly from Syrah and Mourvèdre, are often structured and marked by spicy notes.

-The whites, made from Rolle (Vermentino), Ugni Blanc and Clairette, are fresh, mineral and popular with seafood and fish.

The main PDOs and sub-PDOs of Provence

Provence has several Protected Designations of Origin (PDOs), each with its own specific characteristics:

1. Côtes de Provence PDO

The largest and best-known appellation, accounting for around 75% of production. It is mainly devoted to rosé wines, with a few reds and whites. This PDO comprises four sub-zones with distinct terroirs:

-Sainte-Victoire – Structured rosés and reds, influenced by limestone soils which give them a fine minerality.

-Fréjus – Situated near the Mediterranean, this area with volcanic soils produces expressive rosés and reds.

-La Londe – A coastal area with sandy soils, producing elegant, aromatic rosés.

-Pierrefeu – Benefiting from a warmer climate, this sub-zone produces more powerful and generous rosés.

2. Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence PDO

The second largest appellation in Provence, it is renowned for its well-structured rosés and reds, often with a high proportion of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon.

3. Coteaux Varois en Provence PDO

Situated in a cooler part of Provence, this appellation produces mainly fresh, aromatic rosés with a marked acidity.

4. Bandol PDO

Renowned for its Mourvèdre-based red wines, Bandol also produces rosés that are more complex and structured than in the rest of the region. These red wines are powerful, spicy and have great ageing potential.

5. Cassis PDO

A small coastal appellation specialising in the production of white wines made mainly from Rolle and Clairette grapes. These wines are fresh and mineral, perfect with seafood.

6. Bellet PDO

Located near Nice, this AOP enjoys both a Mediterranean and Alpine climate. It produces rare and distinctive wines from local grape varieties such as Braquet (rosé) and Folle Noire (red).

7. Palette PDO

A small appellation near Aix-en-Provence, known for its complex red, white and rosé wines with great ageing potential.

International positioning

Provence wines, particularly rosés, enjoy a strong international reputation. A significant proportion of production is exported, notably to the United States, the United Kingdom and Northern Europe. Thanks to modern winemaking techniques and a growing interest in organic viticulture, Provence continues to innovate to meet global demand.