The sub-appellations of Côtes de Provence Sainte Victoire

Medieval gateway in Trets Provence is divided by ranges of mountains running parallel to the sea and by the valleys which cut through these mountains, taking rivers to the sea. In historic times these valleys served as corridors of communication. The valley to the east of Aix is no exception as the medieval walled town of Trets, the cathedral town of St Maximin de Ste Baume, the castles of Pourcieux and a scattering of old picturesque villages testify. Wealthy Aixois citizens owned country estates with large bastides in the neighbouring countryside. Today the region is bisected by train, motorway and the N7, but turning off these routes, going north and south, reveals the vineyard region of Côtes de Provence Sainte-Victoire. Drive north to the beautiful and dominating Mont Sainte Victoire (also known as Montagne Sainte Victoire), immortalised by the painter Cézanne, and explore the foothills of the mountain through the Parc Roques Hautes. Or go south and explore the Massif de Ste Baume, high enough to have enough snow in winter to feed the ice houses supplying ice to Toulon and Marseille in the summer. Just to the south east of the region lies the ice museum in Mauzaugues.

Map of the wine appellation of Cotes de Provence Ste Victoire

View looking north to Mont Ste Victoire

In 2005 the Sainte-Victoire and Fréjus sub-appellations were the first two sub-appellations of Côtes de Provence to be created. These started a trend of looking in closer detail at the vast appellation of Côtes de Provence to identify regional variations of terroir (soil and climate) and styles of wine. Some have criticised these sub-appellations, saying that they confuse the consumer. but personally, I feel they do represent differences in taste and do help to make an otherwise large region easier to appreciate.

Puyloubier with Ste Victoire in the background The Ste Victoire appellation covers 2643ha and includes seven communes in the Bouches du Rhône department around the villages of Châteauneuf-le-Rouge, Le Tholonet, Meyreuil, Peynier, Puyloubier, Rousset and Trets, and in the eastern end of the appellation two communes in the Var: Pourcieux and Pourrières. Although  the area covered by the appellation includes around 40 cellars, only half of these make wines using the Ste Victoire appellation, usually for their premium selection, due to the more stringent rules of the appellation. The region has a Mediterranean climate with some continental characteristics - hot dry summers and cold winters.

Looking south towards Mont Aurelien Sheltered to the south from the cooling maritime breezes by the Mont Aurélien (872m), Mont Olympe (819m) and the Massif Sainte-Baume (1147m). The vineyards lie along the banks of the upper Arc river valley, which rises in the hills above Pourcieux and flows westwards through the appellation of Ste Victoire, through Aix-en-Provence before entering the Étang de Berre and the Mediterranean. To the north, the Mont Ste-Victoire ridge runs for 18km and rises up to 1011m, protecting the region by reducing the intensity of the cold northerly Mistral winds, although strong gusts still occur. In 1989 a fire ravaged over 50 km² of the south facing slopes, which have not fully recovered, despite extensive replanting, as vegetation takes time to regrow.

White limestone of Mont Ste Victoire reflecting sunlight at 400m The white limestone rock of the mountain is said to reflect the sun's light and heat. The poor and shallow soils, formed by limestone and gravel clay sandstone, are well drained and the limestone results in good acidity. The drying effects of the Mistral help to protect the vines from rot and keeps them healthy. The highest vineyards on the lower slopes of Mont Ste Victoire benefit from the extra coolness of altitude, the reflected light of the limestone and the high limestone content in the soil, to produce very fine wines. Amongst the highest vineyards are Saint Ser at around 420m and Domaine des Masques, up to 500m. Many domaines in the region have vineyard parcels on these slopes for their premium Ste Victoire wines. Above these, the terrain is increasingly rocky, difficult to plant and cultivate, which discourages planting vineyards any higher. The rosé wines, which make up 94% of production, have a juicy, fresh fruit and good acid character. They can include Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah with up to 10% Clairette, Semillon, Ugni Blanc, or if including Rolle (Vermentino), up to 20%. The presence of Syrah often contributes black fruit character to the typical Ste Victoire fruity style. Domaines such as Château Gassier and Château Ferry Lacombe are concentrating on producing premium rosés as their flagship wines.

Old vines with Ste Victoire in the background The red wines (6% of production) tend to be rich with good fruit and acidity, largely made of Syrah and Grenache (minimum of 50%) with the optional extras of Cabernet Sauvignon and Mourvedre. Some reds with a high percentage of Syrah (such as Mas de Cadenet's Bicentennaire, Château Coussin's César, Domaine Sainte Lucie, Château de Pourcieux) are very Rhône-like in style with intense black fruit, firm tannins and fresh acidity. There are no white wines with the Ste Victoire appellation.

The Vinotheque of Ste Victoire's doorway in the castle at Trets The Vinothèque of Ste Victoire, where the wines can be tasted and purchased, is located in the former wine cellar of the old castle of Trets. Closed Sundays and Mondays.