Unforgettable Why Provence France wine tasting holidays are unforgettable
Provence is also the ideal region for a discovery stay on the theme of wine. So many factors make Provence the preferred destination for wine tourism in France. Nestled between the Italian border and the Mediterranean Sea, Provence welcomes you in a unique setting with varied landscapes, from lavender fields to rolling vineyards.
During a tasting in Provence, the sunniest region of France, you are transported to the middle of Provençal bucolic bliss to taste the art of living in the South of France.
Wine in Provence: A long tradition of wine-making excellence
The south of France is particularly well-suited to wine production, thanks to its rich soil, sunny weather, and long-established tradition. This is why French wines are so revered.
Bouches-du-Rhône and Gard are beautiful areas where you can enjoy the intense summer sun and have a glass of wine on the terrace of a café, and relax on the pavement seating area of a bar. With lovely typical villages in the Alpilles, the smaller Alps, Provence is an idyllic destination to discover wine-making and wine-tasting. Provence France wine tours are unique as they combine the best of summer holidays with wine tasting.
Provence: the ideal region for wine tourism in France
As mentioned above, Provence is a region where wine tourism is booming. Standing out as the oldest French vineyard, Provence is one of France's best wine tourism destinations.
Spread over 200 km, the Provençal vineyard is considered the world capital of rosé, with 88% of its wine production dedicated to rosé. However, the region is also beginning to be recognized for its reds and whites. The production of wines in the area started hundreds of years ago, and the vineyards have witnessed the success of many generations. The domains are, therefore, quite numerous, trying to capture the attention of collectors and large distributors. The vintages are in the spotlight! However, Provence is also known for its rosés and its wines with specific names such as Bandol, Cassis or Bellet. The Château Virant estate offers a wide range of good wines for discerning palates to enjoy as an aperitif or to keep carefully in your cellar. Thus, Provence France wine tours can look like a short getaway to the region's vineyards to appreciate the landscape and discover the best products.
The region is entirely gorgeous from a tourist perspective, offering an incredible diversity of sunny landscapes. Therefore, it is possible to carry out many activities along the coast and inland. The Mediterranean climate of Provence is conducive to outdoor visits throughout the year. Thus, you can discover the region's fauna, flora and soil in any season. Finally, going on a Provence France wine tour means discovering an ancestral wine-growing know-how that dates back several millennia to Roman times.
Provence is a destination with dynamism in terms of productivity, with nearly 450 estates and cooperative cellars. It has several dozen wines labelled AOC and AOP. The Provençal region is a very popular wine tourism area in France. It develops a multitude of tourist activities around wine, such as visits to picturesque villages and traditional markets to discover the terroir. The region also organizes many events, such as fairs and festivals, celebrating wine in Provence. Finally, the accommodation solutions are numerous and very varied.
Visit the South of France while enjoying good wine
If Marseilles is the best-known city in the South of France, Aix-en-Provence, the town of the painter Cezanne, is also of great interest. Slightly more chic than Marseilles, Aix-en-Provence is the best place to go to get a sense of authentic Provençal holidays. Nîmes, Avignon, and Tarascon are other famous city names that could be the starting point of more rural getaways.
Visit domains and châteaux along the Rhône, discover the countryside with lovely vineyards under the southern sun and taste wines you have never tasted before, for the simple reason that they taste slightly different when you get to savour them in the beautiful South of France surrounded by vines and friendly local people.
Provence France wine tasting
If you plan to make a stopover in Provence during your next holiday, the good news is that tourism is well-developed in the region, and there are many enjoyable opportunities to visit the producers of wine in Provence. The estates are often open to tourists and enthusiasts for a little tasting. This allows you to discover the best pairings that can sometimes come from the classic flavours. Indeed, a Provence France wine can have a woody, fruity, spicy or syrupy touch, depending on its grape variety. Depending on the estate, you will also discover a few grape varieties: Grenache Blanc, Syrah, Grenache noir, Sauvignon, Carignan, etc.
Wine tasting events to savour
Estates often wait for the arrival of the summer holidays to organize events around wine with oenologists. The objective is to bring together consumers, interested parties and tourists who surely need 2 or 3 bottles of wine in Provence for their evenings of relaxation. During your gustatory stay, this kind of evening can mark your trip by making you discover the good flavours in a perfect conviviality. Events can resemble a small meeting of followers and travellers in a family and summer atmosphere.
Learning about wine and enjoying the good life
Learn some secrets about the production of wine in Provence, know the specificities of the land of vineyards and discover the vast wine-growing landscape, learn the wine-growing characteristics of the region. During a taste trip around wine, finding out behind the scenes of production is also a must! All the facets hidden behind each bottle can tell a whole story. Your journey will also let you know that among the estates in Provence, some of which have had underground cellars dating from the 17th century.
