Page 208 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Provence & The Côte d'Azur

206  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

What to Drink in Provence

The region covered by this book could not encompass a more
varied and enticing range of wines. To the north, the stony,
heat-baked soil of the southern Rhône nurtures intense, spicy
red wines, the best of which is Châteauneuf-du-Pape. In the
south, the Mediterranean coast produces a range of lighter, fresh
and fruity whites and rosés, as well as some delicious red wines.
Especially good are the dry white wines of seaside Cassis and reds
or rosés from the tiny fine wine pocket of Bandol. In the past,
some Provençal wines had a reputation for not “travelling” well,
but the introduction of modern wine-making techniques and
more suitable grape varieties are fast improving quality. Here, Two bottle styles distinctive
we suggest a selection of wines to look out for on local menus. of the region’s wines
White Wines
Grenache blanc grapes are
often blended with other grape
varieties to give a rich, bright Orange
flavour and crisp acidity to Gigondas
Provençal white wine. Those A fine white Beaumes-de-Venise
listed below are perfect with the Châteauneuf-du-Pape Lirac
region’s delicious seafood. Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Tavel Avignon
Recommended Whites
Nîmes
Clos Ste-Magdeleine
Cassis Les Baux-de-Provence
Château Val Joanis Arles
Côtes du Luberon
Domaine St-André-de-Figuière
Côtes de Provence Rhône Aix-En-Provence
Domaines Gavoty
Côtes de Provence
White Mas Palette
de Rey
Rosé Wines Marseille
Provençal rosé is no longer just a Wine Areas of Provence
sweetish aperitif wine in a skittle- Wine-producing areas are
shaped bottle. Grape varieties like concentrated in the southwest of the Cassis
Syrah give a full flavour and more region, where vineyards cluster on the rocky Bandol
body. Tavel is a typical example – hillsides (côtes). Les Arcs is a good base for a
dry and weighty enough to Côtes de Provence wine tour (see pp112–13).
accompany Provençal flavourings
such as garlic and herbs. Bandol’s
vin gris is also highly regarded.
Recommended Rosés
Château Romassan
Bandol
Commanderie de Bargemone
Côtes de Provence
Commanderie de Peyrassol
Côtes de Provence
Domaine Maby
Tavel
Domaines Gavoty
Côtes de Provence Domaine Loou
rosé (gris) wine Terraced vineyards on the coast above Cassis