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.
Mourvèdre noir is a grape variety originating from Spain. It produces a variety of grape specially used for wine making. It is rare to find this grape to eat on our tables. This variety of grape is characterized by medium to large bunches, and grapes of medium size. Mourvèdre noir can be found in several vineyards: South-West, Cognac, Bordeaux, Provence & Corsica, Rhône valley, Languedoc & Roussillon, Loire valley, Savoie & Bugey, Beaujolais.
