November 30,2014

Provence vineyards include 3 major appellations and 4 sub appellations total are over 150 miles.

The difference in the AOP (Appellation d’ Origine Protégée) is what defines each province.

The AOP rules for Provence include provisions for the grapes, place of origin, planting density, planting percentages by grape variety , vine size, trellising, vine health, irrigation, harvesting, assemblage, oenological process, equipment, temperature control, packaging, storage, labeling, market release dates and more.

However the following 4 AOP rules for Provence are the easiest for us to taste in the glass:

1) Maximum Residual Sugar

2) Primary Grape Varieties

3) Secondary Grape Varieties

4) Minimum alcohol Content

While all seven AOPs  have an allowable range of residual sugar of 3 to 4 grams per liter and a minimum alcohol  level of 11 to 11.5% these miniscule difference do not account for the main distinguishing characteristics of each AOP. It is the primary and the secondary grape varietals that impact the wines mostly. Do not expect tor find any Cabernet Sauvignon in a wine form the Cote de Provence La Lande AOP and if you do the winery is not following the rules.

Côtes de Provence AOP        

Primary Grape Varieties: Cinsault,  Grenache, Mourvédre, Syrah, Tibouren

Secondary Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Clairete, Sémillon, Ugni Blanc, Vermentino (Rolle)

Côtes de Provence

Sainte-Victoire AOP

Primary Grape Varieties: Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah

Secondary Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Mourvédre, Clairette, Sémillon, Ugni Blanc, Vermentino (Rolle)

Côtes de Provence  

Fréjus  AOP                          

Primary Grape Varieties: Grenache, Mourvédre, Syrah, Tibouren

Secondary Grape Varieties: Cinsault

Côtes de Provence                                                                                                          La Londe  AOP                                                                                                              

Primary Grape Varieties: Cinsault, Grenache

Secondary Grape Varieties: Carignan, Mourvédre, Syrah, Tibouren, Clairette, Sémillon, Ugni Blanc, Vermentino (Rolle)

Côtes de Provence                              

Pierrefeu AOP 

Primary Grape Varieties: Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah

Secondary Grape Varieties: Mourvédre, Tibouren, Clairette, Sémillon, Ugni Blanc, Vermentino (Rolle)

Côtes de Provence                              

d Aix en Provence AOP                          

Primary Grape Varieties: Cinsault, Counoise, Grenache, Mourvédre, Syrah

Secondary Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc,  Sémillon, Ugni Blanc, Vermentino (Rolle)

Côtes de Provence

Varois en Provence AOP      

Primary Grape Varieties: Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvédre, Syrah

Secondary Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Tibouren, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Ugni Blanc, Vermentino (Rolle)