The AOC Côtes de Provence is the largest appellation in the Provence wine region of southeastern France. It covers about 20,000 hectares of vineyards, which produce the vast majority of Provence's rosé wine. This appellation includes most of the vineyards in the Var department - essentially the eastern half of the Provence wine region - with the exception of 2,250 hectares North of Toulon which are reserved for the Côteaux Varois en Provence appellation. Although it also covers red and white wine, about 80% of Côtes de Provence production is rosé.
This wine is mainly made from the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsaut grapes, as well as the quintessential Provence red Tibouren. Although clearly a minority, the Volume of red wine produced under this title (and elsewhere in Provence) is increasing and currently represents about 15% of the total. Grapes such as the three key Rhone varieties mentioned above and Cabernet Sauvignon (introduced here in the 1960s) are being used by a New wave of winemakers eager to demonstrate that rosé is not the only interesting wine in the region. Only about five percent of Côtes de Provence wines are made from white grapes, particularly Rolle (Vermentino).
Colombard is one of the oldest grape varieties in the Charentes. This golden white grape variety is a cross between Chenin and Gouais. The young leaves of colombard are yellow with bronze patches. The adult leaves may be three-lobed or whole, depending on the variety. Its branches are cottony. The bunches of this variety are thick and cylindrical. Its elliptical berries are medium-sized. They change color until they ripen, ranging from greenish white to golden yellow. Colombard is associated with an average budding. It is particularly susceptible to leafhoppers, grape worms, mites, mildew, powdery mildew and gray mold. It is also sensitive to water stress, but is not very sensitive to wind. It ripens late in the second half of the year. There are a dozen approved clones of Colombard, the best known of which are 608, 607 and 606. This variety produces a full-bodied, fine white wine. Aromas of lime, nectarine, boxwood, citrus and exotic fruits are released.
white wines from the region of Côtes de Provence go well with generally quite well with dishes of shellfish, rich fish (salmon, tuna etc) or lean fish such as recipes of tagliatelle with seafood and saffron cream, croque-monsieur with tuna or cod (or skrei) with orange.
On the nose in the region of Côtes de Provence often reveals types of flavors of grapefruit, citrus or citrus fruit and sometimes also flavors of pear, tree fruit or tropical fruit. In the mouth in the region of Côtes de Provence is a powerful with a nice freshness.
