Area

3 000

Hectares

including 57% organic or HVE

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Wine sector

Coteaux Varois en Provence AOC recognized in

1993

The vineyards of Coteaux Varois en Provence are located in the heart of "calcareous Provence". In its basins and narrow valleys, production is strictly limited to 28 communes grouped around Brignoles, the former summer home of the Counts of Provence. Its terroir is distinguished by pronounced mountainous reliefs that peak at 600 to more than 1,000 metres in the Sainte-Baume Mountain Range.

A continental climate

These grapevines grow at altitude: at an average of 350 metres, with the highest plots at 500 metres. Additionally, the presence of rocky mountain ranges – Sainte-Baume to the West, the Bessillons to the north and the Barres de Cuers to the south – provide a natural blockade against maritime influences. All of this topography gives the Coteaux Varois en Provence a continental climate: the often very mild autumns and springs alternate with sometimes torrid summers and very cold, harsh winters that are more pronounced than in the rest of the region.

Calcareous soil

The terroir of Coteaux Varois en Provence owes a great deal of its character to its geology: a series of folded limestone and calcareous clay oriented from east to West, that alternate with zones of fine gravel and flint. A high plateau, from which the main waterways of the Var spring forth, overlooks a large depression to the south that separates it from the Massif des Maures.

Red and rosé wines

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Grape varieties

Red and rosé wines

Main varietals

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Cinsault

Distinguishing features

Flavourful and attractive, this Provençal varietal has long been used as a table grape. It is widely used to make rosé in Provence.

Character

It adds a fresh, delicate, fruity touch to wines, nuancing the power of other varietals.

Grenache

Distinguishing features

This varietal comes from Spain originally. It is very high-yield and resistant to violent winds and drought.

Character

Grenache brings fatness, a full body and power to wines. It gives young wines elegant hints of berries, and spicier, meaty notes to more evolved wines.

Mourvèdre

Distinguishing features

Its small berries prefer warm, calcareous terroirs. This varietal ripens slowly: it is happiest when facing the sea, where it can ripen properly. It has been planted in Provence for a very long time.

Character

Mourvèdre produces robust wines with delicate, assertive tannins. While young, wines made with this varietal offer touches of violet and blackberry. Its smooth suppleness, accompanied by characteristic notes of spices, pepper and cinnamon, are only revealed after several years of cellar ageing. Mourvèdre is often used in blends with Grenache and Syrah.

Syrah

Distinguishing features

Syrah is a grape that produces small black berries with a bluish sheen and delicate but fairly hardy skin.

Character

Syrah creates solid, deep-coloured wines whose tannins make them coarse in the first years, but benefit particularly from prolonged ageing. Over the years, it evolves into its characteristic notes of vanilla, tobacco and candied berries.

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Additional varietals

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Cabernet-sauvignon

Distinguishing features

Fairly uncommon in Provence, this famous Bordeaux varietal grows small berries with hard skins and crunchy flesh.

Character

It brings tannic robustness to wines that is both powerful and gentle, and which helps with ageing: its characteristic nose of green pepper, blackcurrant and tobacco distinguishes it from other varietals. When blended with Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon can produce wines with good aging capacity.

Carignan

Distinguishing features

Fairly uncommon in Provence, this famous Bordeaux varietal grows small berries with hard skins and crunchy flesh.

Character

It brings tannic robustness to wines that is both powerful and gentle, and which helps with ageing: its characteristic nose of green pepper, blackcurrant and tobacco distinguishes it from other varietals. When blended with Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon can produce wines with good aging capacity.

Tibouren

Distinguishing features

An authentic Provençal grape. In fact, the only place in France where it can be found is in the Var department.

Character

Tibouren produces delicate, elegant wines. It is perfect for rosés, in which it offers finesse on the palate and a rich bouquet. It is the preferred grape for blends made with other Provençal varietals.

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White wines

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Grape varieties

White wines

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Clairette

Distinguishing features

This varietal is typically southern and has a very long history in Provence. It produces little fruit, but its oblong berries are sturdy and hardy.

Character

Clairette offers aromatic, bouqueted wines with notes of white fruits, fennel and lime blossom.

Grenache blanc

Distinguishing features

Originally from Spain, Grenache Blanc is a white mutation of Grenache Noir. Its bunches are large, and its grapes are sweet and juicy. Grenache Blanc is resistant to drought. It appreciates dry soil of gravel or pebbles.

Character

It produces full-bodied, ample unctuous white wines with low acidity but a long finish. The nose delivers fragrances of peach, melon, white flowers and notes of anise.

Rolle (Vermentino in Italy)

Distinguishing features

This varietal has always been cultivated in Provence, where it is very widespread. It ripens late and needs a warm climate. It is robust with excellent organoleptic quality.

Character

Rolle makes wines with bouquets of citrus, pear, almond and fennel. It also adds fatness, balance and a lot of finesse.

Sémillon

Distinguishing features

Sémillon is a sturdy, high-yield varietal but that is susceptible to rot.

Character

When used in small proportions, it adds aromatic power, viscosity and roundness to wines. It delivers hints of hazelnut, honey, apricot and white flowers.

Ugni blanc

Distinguishing features

This Tuscan varietal produces round, juicy grapes in large, elongated bunches. Ugni Blanc is sensitive to frost but is also sturdy and very high-yield.

Character

Ugni Blanc produces a fruity, light-bodied wine of great delicacy. When assembled with other grapes, it provides a touch of freshness to wine.

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Tasting notes - 2020 vintage

Coteaux Varois en Provence Rosés

Beautiful pale pink colour ranging from salmon to very light pink. Their nose is complex and expressive and displays floral notes along with a very broad array of fruit aromatics – citrus, tropical fruits, sun-ripened fruits and fresh red fruits. Their palate is elegant and ample yet also aromatic and persistent, and consistently shows great balance between roundness and freshness.

Coteaux Varois en Provence Reds

The red wines display a beautiful brilliant hue ranging from ruby-red to deep garnet-red. Their nose reveals a bouquet of black fruits (cherry, morello cherry), spices (pepper, liquorice) and forest floor. On the palate, the wines show great structure, pronounced tannins and powerfulness yet also freshness. They have good ageability.

Coteaux Varois en Provence Whites

The white wines offer up a light yellow hue, sometimes even pale yellow with green tints. Their nose delivers expressive notes of white fruits and tropical fruits, occasionally with some floral and herbal notes (menthol). Their palate is midway between roundness and freshness, it is balanced and crisp with more of the same fruit aromas.

Maison des vins Coteaux Varois en Provence

At the heart of the Royal Abbey of La Celle – an extraordinary Provençal site – sits the Maison des Vins Coteaux Varois en Provence, a veritable showroom for the appellation. Each week, a selection of wines is chosen for free tastings. In addition to this tasting education space, the Maison des Vins is also home to a model conservation vineyard, located on the grounds of the Abbey. A multitude of varietals are cultivated there and displayed in a formal garden.

Maison des Vins Coteaux Varois en Provence
Abbaye de La Celle - 8 bis Place du Général de Gaulle - 83170 La Celle
Tel : 33(0)4 94 69 33 18
Email : contact@coteauxvaroisenprovence.com

At the heart of the Royal Abbey of La Celle – an extraordinary Provençal site – sits the Maison des Vins Coteaux Varois en Provence, a veritable showroom for the appellation. Each week, a selection of wines is chosen for free tastings. In addition to this tasting education space, the Maison des Vins is also home to a model conservation vineyard, located on the grounds of the Abbey. A multitude of varietals are cultivated there and displayed in a formal garden.

Maison des Vins Coteaux Varois en Provence
Abbaye de La Celle - 8 bis Place du Général de Gaulle - 83170 La Celle
Tel : 33(0)4 94 69 33 18
Email : contact@coteauxvaroisenprovence.com