AppellationsOF PROVENCE

APPELLATIONS
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Appellations
OF PROVENCE
Overview
In Provence, three major appellations produce 96% of the region’s
Appellation d’Origine Protégée (AOP) wines. They are:
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Côtes de Provence AOP, with its four sub-appellations:
• Côtes de Provence Sainte-Victoire AOP
• Côtes de Provence Fréjus AOP
• Côtes de Provence La Londe AOP
• Côtes de Provence Pierrefeu AOP
Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence AOP
Coteaux Varois en Provence AOP
While these appellations all share a Mediterranean climate, they produce
wines with notable aromatic and stylistic diversity. Distinct microclimates
and winemaking traditions create rosés of unique character and identity.
Together, these appellations cover a surface area of more than 65,000 acres.
Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence
Côtes de Provence Fréjus
Côtes de Provence Sainte-Victoire
Côtes de Provence
Coteaux Varois en Provence
Côtes de Provence
Côtes de Provence Pierrefeu
Côtes de Provence La Londe
www.WinesOfProvence.com
Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence
Coteaux Varois en Provence
Côtes de Provence
Côtes de Provence Fréjus
Côtes de Provence Sainte-Victoire
Côtes de Provence Pierrefeu
Côtes de Provence La Londe
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Côtes de Provence AOP
The Côtes de Provence AOP is the largest appellation in Provence, with
boundaries reaching from the alpine hills in the north to Saint Tropez on the
southern coast, and extending west to Aix-en-Provence. It encompasses
several winegrowing areas, each with geographical features that give the
wines distinct personalities.
This AOP accounts for 72.6% of all wine produced in Provence, with 88.5%
of production being rosé. The name Côtes de Provence was a used for the
first time in 1895, and the area was granted appellation status in 1977, after
earning the Crus Classés distinction in 1955. As the best-known appellation
in Provence, Côtes de Provence is known internationally as the source of
the world’s greatest rosé wines.
KEY FACTS
AREA
48,200 acres
PRODUCTION
Nearly 128 million bottles;
962,000 hectoliters (hl)
Rosé: 90%
Red: 7%
White: 3%
PRODUCERS
380 private cellars
39 cooperative cellars
AUTHORIZED YIELD
55 hl/hectare
AVERAGE YIELD
49 hl/hectare
CÔTES DE PROVENCE WINE CENTER (MAISON DES VINS)
A regional “house of wine” near the Argens River in Les Arcs, midway
between Aix-en-Provence and Nice, offering:
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www.WinesOfProvence.com
Visitor’s center/wine tasting cellar: 16 Côtes de Provence AOP wines
selected weekly, open daily at 10 a.m.
Wine shop: 800 AOP wines for sale
Wine tasting center: wine tasting classes, meeting rooms
Off site: seminars, tastings, and vineyard visits
83460 Les Arcs sur Argens, Provence, France
Phone: 33 (0) 4 94 99 50 20
www.maison-des-vins.fr
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CÔTES DE PROVENCE SAINTE-VICTOIRE AOP (SUBAPPELLATION)
This sector lies east of the city of Aix-en-Provence, at the foot of the SainteVictoire Mountain, which has provided inspiration for great artists such as
Cézanne, Picasso, and Kandinsky. Established in 2005, Sainte-Victoire was
the first sub-appellation of Côtes de Provence AOP to be established.
As in many areas of Provence, the Sainte-Victoire terroir is characterized
by well-drained, naturally impoverished soils, ideal for vines. Sheltered from
the sea by the Monts Auréliens hills and the Sainte-Baume range, the area
receives an exceptional amount of sunshine and has a slightly continental
climate. The vines thrive thanks to the dry mistral wind, which deters vine
disease.
KEY FACTS
PRODUCTION
Rosé and red wines
VOLUME
23,600 hectoliters (hl), rosé & red
AUTHORIZED YIELD
50 hl/hectare
CÔTES DE PROVENCE SAINTE-VICTOIRE TASTING CENTER
(VINOTHÈQUE)
A regional “house of wine” midway between Aix-en-Provence and Brignoles,
promoting local wines through various offerings, including:
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Visitor’s center/wine tasting cellar: Côtes de Provence Sainte-Victoire
AOP wines selected weekly; open at 9 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday
Wine shop: Sainte-Victoire AOP wines for sale
Off site: tastings and free guided tours of vineyards and cellars on
Saturday mornings (5 people minimum)
Represents 28 member vineyards in the Var region (in Pourcieux and
Pourrières) and in the Bouches du Rhône region (in Trets, Puyloubier,
Peynier, Rousset, and Châteauneuf-le-Rouge)
1 Boulevard Etienne Boyer BP n°25
13 530 Trets, Provence, France
Phone: 33 (0) 4 42 61 37 60
www.vins-sainte-victoire.com/vinotheque.html
www.WinesOfProvence.com
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PRODUCTION
Rosé and red wines
VOLUME
7,100 hectoliters (hl), rosé and red
AUTHORIZED YIELD
50 hl/hectare
© F. Millo/CIVP
The Côtes de Provence La Londe sub-appellation
is located along the coast between Marseilles and
Nice. This area encompasses the communities of
La Londe les Maures, Hyères, Porquerolles, Bormes
les Mimosas, and La Crau. Winemakers here have
long known that they share an exceptional location
for its soil and climate. Approximately 30 wine
producers and a cooperative wine cellar have
formed an association to spread the word about
the remarkable character and quality of the wines
from this terroir.
KEY FACTS
CÔTES DE PROVENCE LA LONDE AOP
(SUB-APPELLATION)
Situated at the east end of the Côtes de Provence appellation along
the coast, the Fréjus sector is spread across the foothills of the Esterel
range. The Argens coastal river runs through the area, draining into the
Mediterranean. All of the vineyards are less than 330 feet above sea
level. Wine has been made in this sector since Roman times, and it was
recognized as a sub-appellation in 2005. Maritime influences give the
Fréjus sector a special climate. Near-constant winds from all quarters blow
over the vineyards, contributing to warm winters and cool summers and
discouraging vine disease. Three types of soils are found in the Fréjus sector,
and eight distinct winegrowing terroirs have been identified.
www.WinesOfProvence.com
© F. Millo/CIVP
CÔTES DE PROVENCE FRÉJUS AOP (SUB-APPELLATION)
KEY FACTS
PRODUCTION
Rosé and red wines
VOLUME
400 hectoliters (hl), rosé
and red
AUTHORIZED YIELD
50 hl/hectare
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CÔTES DE PROVENCE PIERREFEU AOP
(SUB-APPELLATION)
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PRODUCTION
Rosé and red wines
VOLUME
4,500 hectoliters (hl), rosé and red
AUTHORIZED YIELD
50 hl/hectare for rosé
45 hl/hectare for red
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Red sandy clay, rich in iron
Limestone gravel with red sandy clay, which stores
heat for faster grape maturation
Brown-red silty clay covered with slate gravel,
which gives the wines a strong mineral character
KEY FACTS
Pierrefeu has a transitional climate with both
Mediterranean and continental influences. Spring
and summer temperatures are high, and temperature
fluctuations are moderate, encouraging grapes to
ripen early. The area is bounded on the south by the
Massif des Maures and on the north by the central Var
plateaus. Pierrefeu has three types of soils:
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Côtes de Provence’s newest sub-appellation, Pierrefeu,
produced its first vintage in 2013. The district includes
31 wine producers in the heart of Provence, just to
the west of La Londe. Côtes de Provence Pierrefeu
covers 20% of the total surface area of AOP Côtes
de Provence, making it the region’s largest subappellation. Rosé and red wines are produced from the
primary grape varieties of Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah,
and Mourvèdre.
www.WinesOfProvence.com
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Coteaux Varois en Provence AOP
The Coteaux Varois en Provence appellation encompasses 28 towns in the
heart of Provence. Tucked between the two largest AOPs – the Côtes de
Provence and Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence – this area is sheltered by the
surrounding limestone hills of Sainte-Baume and the Bessillons, which have
a tempering effect on the climate. Mild spring and fall weather alternates
with hotter summers and harsher winters than are found elsewhere in
Provence.
The vines grow in chalky clay soils at an average altitude of 1,200 feet. The
region earned appellation status in 1993.
KEY FACTS
AREA
Approx. 6,400 acres
PRODUCTION
More than 17 million bottles;
131,000 hectoliters (hl)
Rosé: 89%
Red: 8%
White: 3%
PRODUCERS
77 private cellars
10 cooperative cellars
AUTHORIZED YIELD
55 hl/hectare
AVERAGE YIELD
50 hl/hectare
COTEAUX VAROIS EN PROVENCE WINE CENTER (MAISON
DES VINS)
A regional “house of wine” housed in the 18th-century Celle Abbey hotel
(Hostellerie de l’Abbaye de la Celle), north of Toulon:
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www.WinesOfProvence.com
Visitor’s center/wine tasting cellar offering a collection of Coteaux Varois
wines
On the grounds of the country inn and restaurant owned by renowned
chef Alain Ducasse
Site of an annual summer music festival
83170 La Celle, Provence, France
Phone: 33 (0) 4 94 69 33 18
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Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence AOP
Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence is the second-largest Provençal wine appellation.
It lies in the west/northwestern region of Provence, forming a triangular
area known for its limestone ranges. Wine production is concentrated in the
sedimentary basins adjacent to a succession of small ranges running parallel
to the coast. The main village in the region is the historic town of Aix-enProvence.
AREA
Approx. 10,000 acres
PRODUCTION
Nearly 29 million bottles;
215,000 hectoliters (hl)
Rosé: 82%
Red: 13%
White: 5%
PRODUCERS
64 private cellars
12 cooperative cellars
AUTHORIZED YIELD
60 hl/hectare
AVERAGE YIELD
54 hl/hectare
© F. Millo/CIVP
© F. Millo/CIVP
The Aix vineyards date back to the 6th century BC. Cultivated over time by
the Romans, the medieval monks, and the counts of Provence, the vineyards
became known to most of the courts of Europe in the 15th century. In 1985
the area was granted appellation status. Its wines are respected by wine
lovers the world over.
KEY FACTS
Media Contacts
Trade Contacts
KATIE BALLOU CALHOUN
CALHOUN & COMPANY COMMUNICATIONS
3275 Sacramento Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
TEL: 415-346-2929
EMAIL: KATIE@CALHOUNWINE.COM
JULIE PETERSON/ALLISON SLUTE
WINES OF PROVENCE – U.S. OFFICE
1025 Thomas Jefferson St. NW, Suite 420 East
Washington, DC 20007
TEL: 202-499-4263
EMAIL: TRADE@WINESOFPROVENCE.COM
WEB: WWW.WINESOFPROVENCE.COM