Sainte-Victoire receives cru status within Côtes de Provence

A first within the Côtes de Provence appellation: the Sainte-Victoire sub-region was the first DGC to be promoted to cru. An important step in even greater recognition of terroir and quality in the region.
Text: Ingrid Larmoyeur | Image"

In Provence, the term cru refers to an officially recognised vineyard area with a proven reputation for quality. It refers to a select group within certain appellations, where terroir and consistent quality are key. Until now, only a few individual AOPs such as Bandol and Palette had this status. Now, for the first time, a sub-zone within the AOP Côtes de Provence gets this recognition: Sainte-Victoire.

Sainte-Victoire had been one of the five Dénominations Géographiques Complémentaires (DGCs) of the AOP Côtes de Provence, alongside La Londe, Fréjus, Pierrefeu and Notre-Dame des Anges. Now it is the first of these subzones to be officially recognised as a cru - an internal promotion within the existing appellation.

Sainte-Victoire is located in the western part of Provence, between the Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence and the Coteaux Varois. The vineyards, along the valley of the River Arc, lie at the foot of the imposing limestone mountain chain Mont Sainte-Victoire (1,011 m high). Thanks to the altitude, the cool Mistral and the poor chalky soils, the rosé and red wines here are known for their freshness and elegance.

Cru status is awarded to the rosé and red wines from the Sainte-Victoire sub-region. The wines are made from syrah, grenache and cinsault, complemented by mourvèdre, carignan and cabernet sauvignon.

The new cru status recognises that special quality and should help raise the area's profile. The mention on the label will remain for now: AOP Côtes de Provence - Sainte-Victoire, but the term cru will certainly be exploited in marketing and communications. A great example of how terroir is becoming increasingly central in Provence!

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