“Terroir Rosé” wines, the example from Provence

¹ Centre du Rosé, 70 avenue Wilson, 83550 Vidauban, France
² Institut français de la vigne et du vin, 3430 Route de l'Espiguette, 30240 Le Grau-du-Roi, France
³ USC 1422 GRAPPE, INRA, Ecole Supérieure d’Agricultures, Univ. Bretagne Loire, SFR 4207 QUASAV, 55 rue Rabelais, 49100 Angers, France
⁴ Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins de Provence, La Maison des Vins, RN 7, CS 50002, 83460 Les Arcs sur Argens, France
⁵ Syndicat des Vins Côtes de Provence, La Maison des Vins, RN 7, CS 50002, 83460 Les Arcs sur Argens, France

Abstract

The production of Rosé wine is developing around the world. In terms of quantity, the volumes made are increasing. In terms of quantity, two apparently contradicting tendencies can be observed: a global trend converging towards a clear, dry model and, at the same time, a desire to differentiate different regions, based on terroir. Thanks to several analytical and sensorial databases which have been assembled over the last fifteen years, the Centre du Rosé provides an objective view of these emerging phenomena. The typicity of the Provence Rosé wines can be measured, both analytically and sensorially, and within the Provençal vineyard itself, the different vintages have some remarkable characteristics. In other French and European wine regions we examined typical rosé wines whose particularity has its origins in the terroir.