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).
Rolle is a white grape variety of Turkish origin that has become established in the South of France, particularly in the Var region, in Corsica under the name of Vermentinu, and in Italy. Its bunches and berries, of medium size, change from white to pink when the grapes are ripe. The rolle likes hot climates where the soil is dry and poor. On the other hand, it fears the wind and diseases. It produces fat, well-balanced white wines. These wines may lack acidity, but they are still very aromatic and give off notes of grapefruit, white fruit, white flowers, fennel, etc. Rolle is also a good table grape that can be enjoyed both fresh and dry. Present in Provence, Languedoc, Roussillon and Corsica. It is used in the composition of numerous appellations such as Ajaccio, Patrimonio, Bandol, Coteaux-d'Aix-en-Provence, Côtes-de-Provence, Costières-de-Nîmes, Corbières, Collioure, Côtes-de-Roussillon, Minervois, Saint Chinian...
wines from the region of Côtes de Provence go well with generally quite well with dishes of pork, shellfish or vegetarian such as recipes of simple pork roast, calamari with chorizo or spinach and goat cheese quiche.
On the nose in the region of Côtes de Provence often reveals types of flavors of citrus, thyme or passion fruit and sometimes also flavors of pomegranate, savory or chalk. In the mouth in the region of Côtes de Provence is a with a nice freshness.
