Bounce Magazine April Edition 2017

APRIL 2017 APRIL | ISSUE 2017 #54 | ISSUE | FOOD #54 & DRINK
The Wines
of Provence
Provence lies in the south east of France. The name ‘Provence ‘
comes from the Romans calling it ‘Our Provence’ (Provincia Nostra)
and French traditional grape varieties.
Today it is mostly famous for Rosé wines but it
also has full bodied spicy red wine as well as some
good quality white.
BY ‘WINE BUFF’ FRED FISHER
It stretches from Avignon to Nice and wine has
been made here for about 2600 years, ever since
the Ancient Greeks founded Marseilles in 600
BC. Archaeological evidence proves this and
fragmented Amphorae, the Roman earthenware
wine containers, have been found in the area. The
Romans arrived in 125 BC leading to higher quality
wine being produced.
Many winemakers have influenced the area,
Ancient Greeks, Romans and Italians, who brought
many new varieties with them and also Spanish
The Phylloxera bug arrived towards the end of the
19th Century and to recover their economy after
this, they planted the high yielding low quality
Carignan grape. During the 20th Century the area
became popular with tourists, and it was found
that cheap Rosé wines were popular.
Climate and Geography
Provence has a classic Mediterranean climate with
mild winters and warm hot summers. It is very
sunny with about 3000 hours per year. There is a
danger of grapes becoming too ripe too quickly
but some protection is provided by the Mistral
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