Côtes de Provence

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Accessory grape varieties

Varieties of interest

Terroir

• 84 communes spread across 3 départements: 68 in the Var, 15 in the Bouches-du-Rhône, and 1 in the Alpes-Maritimes.
• Permian depression: red sandstones and pelites yield clay-sandy soils in red or wine-lees hues, with good water-retention dynamics.
• Sunshine exceeding 2,700 hours per year, rainfall of 600–900 mm per year; the irregular relief and maritime influence generate numerous mesoclimates.

• The name 'Côtes de Provence' was officially in use as early as 1858; the AOC was recognised in 1977, following VDQS status granted in 1951.
• The traditional grape mix pairs grenache, cinsault, syrah, tibouren, and mourvèdre, with clairette, vermentino (rolle), and sémillon joining for the whites.

• Rosés: pale pink appearance, with a fruity palette (white fruits, citrus, exotic fruits), floral, mineral, or smoky notes, and a balance of roundness and freshness.
• Reds: two styles — fruit-forward with short maceration, or long-ageing expressions showing black fruit, cocoa, and spice aromas, with powerful yet silky tannins.

Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.

Sources

• Product specification (BO Agri, PDF), JORF 30 juillet 2025
• Official INAO text (show_texte)
• INAO product entry
• Official trade body site — CIVP