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Provence

France

Provence

BurgundyBurgundyBordeauxBordeauxAlsaceAlsaceRhône ValleyRhône ValleyLoire ValleyLoire ValleyChampagneChampagneJuraJuraLanguedoc-RoussillonLanguedoc-RoussillonCorsicaCorsicaSavoieSavoieSud-OuestSud-OuestBeaujolaisBeaujolaisProvenceProvence

France wine regions

About Provence

Provence is the birthplace of French rosé and the source of roughly half the country's pink wine production. The vast Côtes de Provence appellation stretches from Marseille east to Saint-Raphaël, producing pale, dry, aromatic rosés from Grenache, Cinsault, and Mourvèdre. But Provence offers much more than rosé: Bandol, the region's finest red wine appellation, produces structured, age-worthy Mourvèdre-based reds from terraced vineyards above the Mediterranean. The tiny appellations of Palette and Cassis produce distinctive whites. The combination of limestone soils, mistral winds, and 3,000 hours of annual sunshine gives Provençal wines their distinctive brightness and herbal garrigue character.

0–434 m

Elevation range

redroséwhite

Wine styles

3 Appellations

Avg. slope 1.6°

Vintages

22 · 2014–2025

Rating:
95+
90-94
85-89
80-84
<80
PeakReadyHold
Year202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014
Red
Rosé
—
—

Outstanding Provence Vintages

The best recent vintages rated excellent or exceptional.

Red

2025

Hold
91Excellent

Concentrated, balanced reds from a slightly reduced crop.

2028Peak 2030–20362038

2024

Almost ready
92Excellent

A classic, perfumed Bandol vintage with fine-grained tannins and lift.

2027Peak 2029–20362039

2023

Ready
90Excellent

Ripe, warm-hearted Bandol with solid structure; a very good if not classic year.

2026Peak 2028–20342036

2022

Ready
92Excellent

Dense, sun-filled reds that kept surprising freshness; drought-adapted Mourvedre in its element.

2025Peak 2028–20352038

2020

At peak
91Excellent

Ripe, generous, well-balanced reds that charm earlier than most Bandol.

2023Peak 2026–20332036

2019

Ready
93Excellent

Powerful yet fresh Bandol with superb tannic polish; one of the best recent years.

2023Peak 2027–20352039

2017

At peak
91Excellent

Concentrated, firm reds from a sharply reduced crop.

2021Peak 2025–20322035

2016

At peak
93Excellent

A benchmark modern Bandol: complete, concentrated reds built for the long haul.

2020Peak 2024–20342038

2015

At peak
92Excellent

Deep, structured Mourvedre with ripe tannins and dark garrigue-scented fruit.

2019Peak 2023–20332037

Rosé

2025

At peak
90Excellent

Bright, sunny rose of high quality from a smaller crop.

2026Peak 2026–20272028

2024

At peak
92Excellent

Fresh, delicate, moderate-alcohol rose; exactly what the style promises.

2025Peak 2025–20262027

2022

Past window
92Excellent

Pale, saline, strikingly fresh rose at modest alcohol; drought-year tension in the best sense.

2023Peak 2023–20242025

2020

Past window
91Excellent

Ripe yet bright rose with lively acidity and gentle alcohol; a quietly excellent year.

2021Peak 2021–20222023

2019

Past window
91Excellent

Concentrated, characterful rose from small berries; a touch richer than usual and holding its fruit well.

2020Peak 2020–20212022

2017

Past window
91Excellent

Concentrated, aromatic rose in short supply.

2018Peak 2018–20192020

2016

Past window
91Excellent

Pale, precise, saline rose from a generous, healthy crop; a lovely benchmark year.

2017Peak 2017–20182019

Appellations

Classification System

Provence organizes its wines into broad and specific appellations. Bandol stands out as the region's most prestigious red wine appellation.

Commune AOC

Bandol, Cassis, Bellet, Palette: small, prestigious appellations

Sub-regional AOC

Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence, Coteaux Varois en Provence

Côtes de Provence

The dominant regional AOC, covering most of Provence

What Provence produces

Rosé

The world's rosé capital, pale and dry, from Grenache, Cinsault, and Mourvèdre.

Red

Bandol's structured Mourvèdre reds, Provence's serious side.

Grapes of Provence

Syrah

Body
Tannins
Sweetness
Acidity
blackberryblack cherryblack pepperolive

Adds color and spice to both rosé and red blends

Grenache

Body
Tannins
Sweetness
Acidity
strawberryplumred cherrywhite pepper

The backbone of Provençal rosé and a key component of red blends

Mourvèdre

Body
Tannins
Sweetness
Acidity
blackberryplumblack peppergame

The star of Bandol reds, producing structured age-worthy wines with dark fruit and garrigue herbs

Cinsault

Body
Tannins
Sweetness
Acidity
strawberryraspberryred cherrypeony

Essential rosé grape providing pale color, fresh fruit, and delicacy

What it tastes like

Body

Full

Acidity

Bright

Tannin

Grippy

Oak

Some oak

Ripeness

Rich

Concentration

Concentrated

Reds

Mourvèdre throughout: always with grippy tannin; fuller in Bandol, lighter in Palette.

Each appellation has its own style. Compare Bandol and Palette.

The shape averages its 2 appellations.

Body

Medium

Acidity

Fresh

Tannin

Fine

Oak

No oak

Ripeness

Ripe

Concentration

Medium

Rosés

Mourvèdre and Grenache: always fresh; fuller in Bandol, lighter in Côtes de Provence.

Each appellation has its own style. Compare Bandol and Côtes de Provence.

The shape averages its 2 appellations.

Body

Full

Acidity

Fresh

Oak

A touch of oak

Ripeness

Ripe

Concentration

Concentrated

Whites

Full-bodied and fresh, dense with some oak; white peach, fennel and honeysuckle over a nutty, stony edge, broad and built to age.

stone fruit · herbal · floral · nutty · stony

From the Palette card ›

Climate

drymediterraneanmistral winds

Classic Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers cooled by the mistral winds, mild winters, and over 300 days of sunshine yearly. The constant mistral wind helps prevent disease and concentrates flavors while maintaining crucial acidity.

Terroir

diverse soilsschistmineral-richsandclaylimestone

Incredibly diverse soils ranging from limestone and clay in inland areas to schist and sandy soils near the coast. Ancient crystalline rocks, red clay, and garrigue-covered hillsides create perfect drainage while the proximity to the Mediterranean moderates temperatures and adds mineral complexity.

Typical Aromas

wild herbslavendergarriguewhite peachMediterranean scrublandrose petals
Explore the aroma wheel

More in France

Alsace

Alsace

Beaujolais

Beaujolais

Bordeaux

Bordeaux

Burgundy

Burgundy

Champagne

Champagne

Corsica

Corsica

Jura

Jura

Languedoc-Roussillon

Languedoc-Roussillon

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Provence wine special?▼
Provence is basically the birthplace of French winemaking - Greeks brought vines here over 2,600 years ago. The region's Mediterranean climate, with hot dry summers and mild winters, plus the mistral winds, creates perfect conditions for producing those iconic pale pink rosés. The limestone and clay soils, combined with over 600 days of sunshine per year, give the wines their distinctive mineral character and fresh acidity.
What are the best Provence vintages?▼
Recent standout years include 2019, 2016, and 2015 - all had ideal weather with warm, dry summers that produced concentrated, well-balanced wines. 2020 was also excellent despite the challenges, with perfect ripening conditions. For rosés, since they're meant to be enjoyed young and fresh, I'd focus on wines from the last 2-3 years rather than aging them.
What grapes are grown in Provence?▼
The classic Provence blend centers around Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah, with Mourvèdre adding structure to the mix. You'll also find Rolle (Vermentino), Tibouren - which is almost unique to Provence - and some Cabernet Sauvignon. For whites, Rolle dominates, along with Clairette, Ugni Blanc, and increasingly some Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay in certain areas.
What food pairs well with Provence wines?▼
Provence rosés are perfect with Mediterranean cuisine - think grilled fish, bouillabaisse, ratatouille, and goat cheese salads. They're fantastic with lighter fare like sushi, charcuterie, or anything with herbs de Provence. The crisp acidity and subtle fruit make them incredibly food-friendly, and they're pretty much made for outdoor dining and seafood.
How does Provence compare to other major wine regions?▼
Provence absolutely dominates the premium rosé market globally - it's the gold standard that other regions try to emulate. While places like the Loire Valley or Languedoc make good rosés, Provence has the perfect combination of climate, terroir, and centuries of expertise that's hard to match. The region produces about 150 million bottles annually, with 90% being rosé, making it the world's largest quality rosé producer.

Map data: INAO