Wine tours and wine tasting in Provence
Wine is very important in Provence, its existence dates back to 600 BC, before the arrival of Greeks and Romans. This area has the typical Mediterranean climate with little rain and lots of sun, around 3200 hours for year. The area has an incredible variety of vineyards and grapes, which then used in the manufacture of wines.
There are 10 Official guarantee of origin in Provence :Bandol - Bellet - Cassis - Coteaux-d'Aix-en-Provence - Coteaux de Pierrevert - Cotes-de-Provence - Côtes de Provence-Sainte Victoire - Coteaux Varois - Les Beaux de Provence – Palette
The wines of Bandol are especially fine and may be red, white or rosés. Bellet has a recognized fame for red, white and rosé wines. The reds are vigorous, splendid and well structured; rosés are flexible, well structured, fruity and will age well whilst the whites are sweet-smelling, elegant and well rounded. Cassis are famous for his white wines. The white wine, made from Ugni Blanc, Clairette and Marsanne, is dry. Coteaux-d'Aix-en-Provence is one of the biggest names, red wines are fruity and young. Coteaux de Pierrevert produces 10% white, 30% rosés and 60% red wines, use different types of grapes in the manufacture of its wines. Cotes de Provence is the biggest in Provence and concentrates on the production of rosés (80%). Its wines are characterized by their smooth flavour, and its fruity bouquet.
Côtes de Provence-Sainte Victoire and Coteaux Varois produces a majority of roses and red wines. Also Les Baux de Provence is limited to the production of red and rosés wines only.
Over the past few years, Provence has become a tourist destination for its delicious wines, where it is possible to make visits to wineries and learn about the process of preparation of the wine, as well as their properties.
These routes are to undertake a tour of the vineyards, in which a guide explaining everything about the world of wine, from the type of grape, at the age of the vineyards, the characteristics of the soil ...
The second part of the visit is to tour the wineries, the wine is produced, the guide will explain the conditions under which must be preserved wine, temperature, humidity, etc.
The last part of the visit is a wine tasting, in which
a sommelier, show them to decant the wine and taste.
One accessed guided by the wineries will cost about 20 pounds and 45
if the visit includes a tasting.