Bandol is a key appellation in the wine region of Provence, in the far southeast of France. Created in 1941, the appellation covers red, white and rosé wines from approximately 1,550 hectares of vineyards located around the coastal town of Bandol on the Mediterranean coast. These are spread unevenly over eight communes in the Var dePartment, the majority being located just North of Bandol, in Le Beausset, La Cadière-d'Azur, Le Castellet and Évenos. Bandol is best known for its red wines, which constitute the majority of the appellation's production.
These contain a high proportion of Mourvèdre - the appellation rules require at least 50%. Using this amount of such a Spicy and Powerful grape makes for a wine with Character that is difficult to produce in any other part of France. Mourvèdre will only ripen reliably in a Climate as sunny and Warm as that which prevails along the Mediterranean coast. Grenache is the other main component of Bandol's red (and rosé) wines.
