Provence
Grenache and Syrah feature in blends whose colour alone does not predict flavour or sweetness.
Terroirs, appellations and label clues
Côtes de Provence, Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence and Coteaux Varois en Provence are separate appellations. Wider Provence includes Bandol and Cassis. For rosé, check origin, blend and sugar: pale colour proves neither lightness nor quality.
To get started
Compare two rosés from different grapes or sites: similar colour can come with different textures and aromas.
Key grapes
Grenache — Red fruit and roundness in many blends. Compare a varietal Grenache with a blend: its generous fruit can be balanced by more structured grapes.
Syrah / Shiraz — Dark fruit, pepper and generous expression. Look for pepper and dark fruit, then compare a cooler expression with a riper one: climate and ripeness change the balance.
Mourvèdre — A warm-climate grape bringing structure and dark fruit to blends. Compare a young blend and a more mature bottle with a slow-cooked dish.
Compare regions
Compare regions in the same country too: the same grape can produce different wines as climate, site and producer choices change.
Style descriptions are guides, not rules: vintage, vineyard, blending and maturation change the result.
