Provence Rosé Style and Terroir Expression

Today Provence rosés are very clearly defined as pale pink wines that are dry, minerally and delicately fruity. This style began when a handful of pioneering Provence producers changed their wine production techniques to create a fresher wine style in order to modernize the wines for the twenty-first century and beyond. With gentler pressing and the advent of temperature control in the mid- to late-1980s, Provence developed a wine style that consumers received very positively. Provençal wine producers quickly obliged their preferences.

The preservation of the now classic Provence rosé style has been an on-going focus, and producers - with the help of the Centre du Rosé - have been modifying their work in the vines and in the cellar to cope with climate change since the pale, dry rosé style began to soar in popularity. Over the last century, average temperatures in the region have increased 1.4C / 2.52F. The rate of temperature change is increasing, and in just the next 80 years, Provence expects to see even higher temperatures, between an additional 2-6C / 3.6-10.8F. Additionally, local researchers estimate there will be 37 more days of hydric stress between 2020-2050 as there were from 1970-2000 and 53 more days between 2070-2100 versus 1970-2000.

As all winemakers seeking terroir expression agree, great wines start in the vineyard. As climate change continues apace, vineyard management techniques can help Provençal winemakers preserve their much-loved rosé wine style. From the seasonal cycle of the vine to grape varieties and rootstocks to harvest timing and dates, there is much more to be learned about how vignerons can harness knowledge to keep the classic style of Provence rosé intact (see Farming Changes Happening Now and Peeking Over the Horizon for more specific information).

Moreover, Provence rosés are blends, with at least 10% of the wine composed of a second grape variety. Some of the secondary and tertiary varieties have stronger personalities than others, meaning that even a small percentage of one can have a bigger impact on an overall cuvée than others. Hence, the impact of terroir varies through the expression of each grape variety but is still undoubtedly present.

Given the plethora of expressions possible between the vast land expanse of terroir, the many terroir expressions and the blending of grape varieties, there are many variables outside of the cellar to manage in the effort to maintain the classic style of Provence rosé.

However, an equally important part of making classically pale and dry Provence rosé wines is what happens in the cellar. In fact, it is especially important. After all, it was work in the cellar that allowed the fresher, lighter styles of dry Provence rosé to become the world’s favorite reference for pale pink.