France · AOCs
Provence
The global reference for dry, pale rosé — plus serious herb-scented reds.
Hot, dry and swept by the Mistral, Provence is rosé's spiritual home — pale, dry and built for the Mediterranean table. But it also hides serious reds, above all in Bandol, where Mourvèdre ripens on south-facing terraces into one of France's longest-lived wines. ~27,000 ha.
Domaine Tempier made Bandol famous.
ClimateMediterranean, hot and dry, strong sun, Mistral
AltitudeSea Level-500m
Grapes
Rolle, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Clairette, Syrah, Grenache Noir, Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Grenache Gris, Chardonnay, Tibouren
Soils
LimestoneSchistClaySandstone
Bandol rosé and red are built around Mourvèdre, which loves the sea breeze.
