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South of France - Provence - Growing environment and grape growing

Q: What is the Climate in Provence?

Warm Mediterranean, with adequate rainfall cold Mistral wind cooling influence reduces fungal diseases, but can interrupt flowering and fruit set best sites are sheltered from the Mistral Also good sites at 400m above see, inland , moderating influence relatively lot of organic vineyards

3 important questions on South of France - Provence - Growing environment and grape growing

Main varieties in the Provence are red, what is the main white?

Red: GSCC + cabernet sauvignon
White: Vermentino aka Rolle

What is the Climate in Provence?

Warm Mediterranean, with
adequate rainfall
cold Mistral wind

cooling influence
reduces fungal diseases, but can interrupt flowering and fruit set
best sites are sheltered from the Mistral

Also good sites at 400m above see, inland, moderating influence
relatively lot of organic vineyards

Describe Vineyard management in Provence

Bush vines traditionally

+shade

replaced by trellised vines

+ canopy management easier
+ achieve ripeness (sugar, skin, seeds at same time)
+ inter-row acces > machines

Grapes for rosé picked earlier than for red> retain acidity
appropriate harvest date = critical, since tannins should also be ripe to avoid bitterness.