Red
Age-worthy red
Deep in colour and markedly structured, Bandol reds can appear firm in their youth. Over time they develop complex aromas of dark fruit and spice.
Controlled Designation of Origin
Bandol
A great terroir of Provence · AOC-classified since 1941
- AOC 1941
- Mourvèdre
- 1941
- AOC classification
- 1,600 ha
- Vineyard
- 8 communes
- Production area
- 18 months
- Minimum red ageing
« Mourvèdre, the appellation's signature grape, shapes age-worthy reds and gastronomic rosés. »
Recognised in 1941, Bandol is one of the oldest appellations in Provence. Spread across eight communes, its production zone forms a vast natural amphitheatre, bounded to the north by hillside landscapes and open to the south towards the Mediterranean.
A well-defined terroir
An amphitheatre facing the sea
The Bandol appellation covers the communes of Bandol, Sanary-sur-Mer, Le Castellet, La Cadière d'Azur, Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer, Évenos, Ollioules and Le Beausset. The 1,600-hectare vineyard is planted on hillsides, often arranged in dry-stone terraces (restanques).
The Mediterranean climate, protective hills, poor and deep soils, the Mistral, the sea breeze and 3,000 hours of sunshine per year create unique conditions for Mourvèdre to reach full maturity.
« The soil of Bandol is very dry and stony. The principal production of the terroir is red wine of the first quality. »
- Clay-limestone
- Dominant soil
- 3,000 hours
- Annual sunshine
- 650 mm / year
- Rainfall
- Mistral & sea breeze
- Natural regulation
The signature grape
Mourvèdre,
the emblematic grape of Bandol
Growers say it needs to see the sea to reach perfect ripeness. A late-ripening variety, its perfect maturation requires heat, sunshine and the gentle maritime influence.
It gives the red wines structure, tannin and ageing potential, while lending the rosés their distinctive character, grip and complexity.
« … Mourvèdre forms the base of these wines, which are full-bodied and of the finest colour … »
- Late September – early October
- Late ripening
- 10 to 30 years
- Red ageing potential
- 50 to 95 %
- Mourvèdre in reds
- 20 to 95 %
- Mourvèdre in rosés
The specifications
An appellation with rigorous production rules
-
Hand-harvesting
Harvesting is strictly manual. A rare requirement that guarantees rigorous grape selection. -
Minimum 18-month ageing
Reds are aged for a minimum of 18 months in barrels or large oak casks (foudres) and may only be released from 1 May of the second year. -
Minimum planting density of 5,000 vines/ha
This density encourages deep root establishment and competition between plants, a guarantee of grape quality. -
Yields capped at 40 hl/ha
Among the lowest in France — at most one bottle per vine. -
Regulated grape varieties
Red: 50 to 95% Mourvèdre. Rosé: 20 to 95% Mourvèdre. White: 50 to 95% Clairette. -
Controlled release dates
Rosé and white may be sold from 1 March of the year following the harvest. Reds must wait until 1 May of the second year.
Production
Wines produced in all three colours
Rosé
Gastronomic rosé
Bandol rosés stand apart for their structure and capacity to evolve. Their profile combines freshness, fruit and complexity. These are gastronomic rosés, generally more structured than other Provençal rosés.
White
Complex aromatic
Clairette-dominant, Bandol whites offer aromas of ripe white fruit, citrus and gentle spice.
An acclaimed appellation
Wines appreciated the world over.
Structured and complex, suited to gastronomy and cellaring, Bandol wines have long been appreciated well beyond our borders: « more than 6,000 hectolitres of wine passed through the port of Bandol bound for Italy, northern Europe and America » (1818, deliberation of the Municipal Council of Bandol).
« plus de 6.000 hectolitres de vin ont transité par le port de Bandol à destination de l'Italie, du nord de l'Europe et de l'Amérique »
Wines from La Bastide Blanche
