Côteaux Varois en Provence is a key appellation in the Provence wine region in the far southeast of France. It was introduced in March 1993 to complement the Côtes de Provence title created 16 years earlier. It covers the vineyards of 28 communes North of Toulon, essentially constituting the western third of the Var department. Côteaux Varois wines are red, white and rosé, although the latter is the dominant colour (as is the case almost everywhere in Provence).
Rosés, which account for about 85% of total production, are essentially made from the same Grape varieties as the reds - namely the classic southern French cocktail of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsaut. These wines may also contain the traditional Provençal grapes Tibouren and Carignan. Tibouren is renowned for the spice it brings to rosés, while the less favoured Carignan was the subject of a large harvest in the early 21st century. Cabernet Sauvignon, imported from Bordeaux to Provence in the 1960s, is also allowed in small quantities.
The vermentino grape variety was widespread in Italy, Sardinia and Corsica. Today, Vermentino is grown in the regions bordering the Mediterranean, mainly in Provence (Côtes de Provence, Bellet), Corsica (Corse Calvi), Languedoc (Côtes du Roussillon, Costières de Nîmes) and the Rhône Valley (Côtes du Luberon). Because it ripens late, Vermentino requires a warm climate for its development and can only be grown in regions with good sun exposure. Conversely, cold or temperate climates do not allow it to ripen properly. Vermentino is only susceptible to powdery mildew. When vinified on its own, Vermentino produces a single-variety dry white wine that is light and full-bodied with a pale yellow color. It can also be blended with other grape varieties such as Ugni Blanc, Cinsault and Grenache, in which case its low acidity makes it light and fresh. Vermentino belongs to the grape varieties of Ajaccio, Corsica and Corbières. The aromas released by this variety are multiple. One can detect notes of fresh apple, green almond, sweet spices, hawthorn, ripe pear and fresh pineapple.
pink wines from the region of Coteaux Varois en Provence go well with generally quite well with dishes of pork, shellfish or vegetarian such as recipes of tartiflette, fish and shrimp curry or zucchini quiche.
On the nose in the region of Coteaux Varois en Provence often reveals types of flavors of strawberries, red fruit or raspberry and sometimes also flavors of tree fruit, citrus fruit or peach. In the mouth in the region of Coteaux Varois en Provence is a with a nice freshness.
