High resolution map

History

In the sixth century BC, the Phoenicians brought wine growing to Provence around Massilia (Marseille), Nikaïa (Nice), Antipolis (Antibes) and Anthénopolis (Saint-Tropez). After the fall of the Roman Empire, the culture of vine growing developed in Provence from the sixth century to the 12th century, influenced by the major monastic orders: Saint-Victor abbey in Marseille, Saint-Honorat on the Lérins Islands, the Saint-Pons Benedictine abbey in Nice and the Cistercian Abbey at Thoronet. In the 14th century, the major noble families and the offices of the Royal Army acquired and managed many vineyards, establishing the foundations of modern vine growing Provence. In 1895, the name of Côtes de Provence was a used for the first time. In 1951, a commission of experts decided to circumscribe the land forming the Côtes de Provence. The distinction of 'Crus Classés' was granted in 1955 by INAO, to 23 of the region's domains, the forerunners of the Côtes de Provence appellation which was first granted an AOC in 1977.

Appellation areas

Covering a vast production area, the Côtes-de-Provence appellation spreads over 20 000 ha from Aix-en-Provence as far as Fréjus, forming several different regions with strikingly different personalities.

Geology

The geology of the land that the Côtes de Provence appellation covers is particularly complex. Two major geological systems live side by side in Côtes-de-Provence: one is essentially of limestone, to the north and west, and the other is crystalline, to the south and east. The entire western and northern area of the Côtes de Provence consists of alternating hills and limestone ranges eaten away by erosion. Farther east, facing the sea, the crystalline ranges of the Maures the Tanneron and the Estérel appear. This crystalline structure is pierced through and through by earlier eruptions, producing surprising rock structures between Saint-Tropez and Cannes.

A mosaic of “terroirs”

Five different “terroirs” make up the Côtes de Provence depending on the diversity of the land, the relief and the weather, and each has its own personality: the Sainte-Victoire range, the Beausset basin, the hills of the uplands (le Haut-Pays), the interior valley and the Maures range facing the sea.

Public contact

Maison des Vins Côtes de Provence RN7 83460 Les Arcs-sur-Argens - France Tel: 33 (0)4 94 99 50 20 E-mail: caveaucp@wanadoo.fr

Professional contact

Syndicat des Vins Côtes de Provence RN7 83460 Les Arcs-sur-Argens - France Tel: 33 (0)4 94 99 50 00 E-mail: sdvcp@wanadoo.fr

Côtes de Provence's booklet in pdf Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins de Provence Maison des Vins 83460 Les Arcs-sur-Argens - France