
The grand tour of French wines comes to an end this week. We finish our journey in Provence and Corsica.
Provence is France’s oldest winemaking region and the only one in the world to focus primarily on the production of rosé.
It’s nine AOC appellations are quite varied and many have very distinct focuses. For example, Les Baux de Provence is a stronghold of organic and biodynamic viticulture in Provence and also produces a large percentage of red wine (64%). Palette is the smallest appellation of Provence and is historically known for producing Vin Cult, a local wine specialty served to family and friends on Christmas Eve with a lavish meal featuring 13 different desserts. Cassis is the only appellation in Provence to produce a majority of white wine (70%) and where the primary grape is Marsanne. Bandol is one of the oldest vine-growing regions in Provence and Mourvedre has emerged as the cornerstone grape. Bandol reds are very age-worthy and the AOC mandates oak aging. Bellet is the only AOC in Provence to permit the use of Chardonnay.
Classic food pairings hailing from the Provence region include bouillabaisse, salade Nicoise, ratatouille and tapenade.
Throughout time, the island of Corsica has been ruled by six different nations and each have influenced the location we know today. In fact, many of the region’s winemaking traditions and grapes are Italian due to the island’s closer proximity to Italy.
Corsica is best known for its red wine although 1/3 of the grapes planted on the island are white. The grapes are farmed around nearly the entire coastline with few in the inland.
It’s most famous native son is French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte who was born into a Corsican winemaking family in Ajaccio in 1769.
Wild boar is Corsica’s most celebrated dish as thousands of free-roaming pigs graze the island for acorns, chestnuts and wild berries. Corsican pork products are often cured in smoke from chestnut wood and herbs and are popular on charcuterie boards. Many desserts of the island also include chestnuts including chestnut flour beignets.
Wine Wisdom of Provence and Corsica
- Whites and roses from Provence are meant to be enjoyed immediately while reds can age 5-7 years or longer.
- White wines in the Patrimonio AOC must be 100% Vermentino.
And now for the tasting!
Read the full series of articles for the Wasatch Academy of Wine’s French Wine Scholar program.