Ever since, the area has produced full-bodied reds, fresh whites and the prettiest pale pink rosés. The environment is perfect for viniculture. The long hours of sunshine throughout the year, coupled with the sea salt that floats in on the Mistral wind from the Alps and finally the well-draining soil help to create perfection. Here the land is green and fertile and the crops are ripe and flavourful.
The terroir of the south is varied, meaning the wine is too. Because of the variety of soil compositions in the vineyards of the Var and its great variety of geographical locations, lots of varieties of grapes grow here. These include Syrah, Cinsault and Clairette. This area stretches from the west of Marseilles all the way east to St Raphael.
So if you’re looking to visit some of the wonderful vineyards in the area, we’d certainly recommend adding these to your list:
Château de Cremat, Nice
This biodynamic vineyard in nearby Nice grows vines between 200 and 330 metres above sea level, in a calcareous soil of sand and pebbles. Another point of difference are the man-made terraces prevent mechanical harvest of the grapes. This guarantees excellent quality in each and every harvest.
Château des Marres, Ramatuelle
Château des Marres is 30-hectare, family-run vineyard located between Saint-Tropez and Ramatuelle. Its vines grow on soil made up of sand, clay and schistous. These produce Grenache, Cinsault and Mourvedre grapes for Provence rosé; Syrah, Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes for red; and Rolle, Sémillon and Viognier for white wine.
Domaine de la Source, Nice
A family vineyard established in the 1980s, it has now expanded across five hectares of land. It grows some unusual and highly respected grape varieties. Some of these date back to the Roman times, including Rolle, Braquet and Mad Black. The owners of Domaine de la Source are well known for their careful techniques and the deep respect they show to their soils.
Cave de Bonnieux, Bonnieux
This vineyard is comprised of two different terroirs, growing grapes for two types of wine: Luberon AC and Ventoux AC. Because of the variation in soil and location, each wine has a distinct character drawn from the roots of the vines. Situated in the beautiful Luberon Regional Natural Park, the vineyard has its own water treatment plant which guarantees no pollution to contaminate its produce.
Chêne Bleu, Provence
Chêne Bleu is an exclusive vineyard located at an altitude of 1700ft in the idyllic foothills of Mt Ventoux. It offers boutique wine tours and a wine course that has been rated highly by top wine industry professionals and critics.
Abbaye de Lerins Vineyard, Ile Saint-Honorat
This vineyard, which was founded in the Middle Ages, produces a limited number of fine wines each year. In fact, these wines are so sought after that they were served to heads of state at a recent G20 summit, as well as the jury for the Cannes Film Festival. The vineyard is run by Cistercian monks who live a traditional monastic lifestyle on Ile Saint-Honorat. They care for their vines and harvest the grapes entirely by hand. In addition they work without any herbicides or additional salt, so as to preserve the island’s unique eco-system.
Such is the quality of our wine in France, that it often dictates meal choices! For instance if you happen upon a young red in Provence you can bet it will be fresh and fruity. It makes a great accompaniment to a barbeque in the summertime. Likewise the light, wonderfully rounded rosés of the region, so coveted by rosé lovers around the world. They pair well with summery dishes. Finally if you’re after a white wine in the warmer months try a gentle and aromatic variety grown near the coast. These make the perfect accompaniment for a light Mediterranean dish.
Matching wine to the season
As the weather gets cooler and your meals become heartier, you can consider switching to a bottle from an inland vineyard, as it is likely to be more robust. When the winter really sets in, its time to dig out that bottle of great quality red you’ve been saving for years to enjoy with a venison dish or a French cheese board.
You don’t have to make a special trip to find excellent wine here in Antibes. Supermarkets and grocery stores offer a good selection at very reasonable prices. If you’re looking for something special, head into the centre of town where the passionate wine merchants at specialist wine shop La Treille d’Or will help you find the perfect bottle for the occasion.
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