The vineyard
Discover the history and the characteristics of the culture of our vines,
as well as the cartography and the climate of the place of culture.
The vines
The vine is implanted in Provence since 2600 years!
Originating from the vineyard cultivated especially by the Romans, the wines of Bandol have always been renowned over the centuries in France and abroad.The Bandol was even one of the favorite wines of King Louis XV who imposed it on the royal tables.In the Var, by the sea, the vineyard is staggered on the hills facing south, in terraces called terraces.
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The grape varieties
The vine varieties and their peculiarities
For red and rosé wines, the king variety is Mourvèdre. Also present are Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Carignan.
White wines combine two main grape varieties: Clairette and Ugni blanc.
The concept of blending is fundamental: each variety brings its specificity, even in small quantities, it is the guarantee of the complexity of the wines.
Mourvèdre
Variety capricious, fiery, this grape native of Spain has made Bandol his land of choice. It gives the red Bandol their virile and powerful character thanks to an opulent tannic structure. Made up of conical clusters, with small and dark black grains, Mourvèdre can reach 95% of the encépagement. On young wines, it offers a superb aromatic palette of sour cherry, blackcurrant, blackberry, prunes, licorice, violet, ... then over time while rounding its tannins, develops more complex notes of undergrowth, leather, truffle, black fruits with brandy ...
Grenache
He, too, likes the terroir of Bandol arid, dry and swept Mistral. Capiteux, of a beautiful golden red color, it brings generosity, roundness and sweetness.
The Cinsault
Its large clusters with large fruit berries of a beautiful bluish black will bring the necessary finesse and flexibility.
Carignan brings liveliness and Syrah, ripe fruit.
Mandatory characteristics of the appellation Bandol
With a density of 5,000 vines / ha, the vines must be short cut to two flakes and mud. In addition, a new plantation comes into production only in the 8th year for red wines. The maximum yield is 40 hl / ha, and constitutes. The aging of 18 months minimum in casks for red wines is necessary.
Geography
Between scrubland and pine forest, on poor soils, the dry climate is tempered by the freshness of the nearby Mediterranean.
The terroir of Bandol wines extends in amphitheater of the massif of Sainte-Baume, until the Mediterranean. The vineyard, which covers about 1,500 hectares, is planted on terraces and faces south facing the sea.
The vineyard of Bandol is located in the sunniest area of France, with about 3,000 hours of sunshine a year. Stony soils, mostly calcareous, mix with sandy marls and sandstones enriched with silico-calcareous elements.
These are poor soils but well drained. This aridity is balanced by the humidity of the sea air and by a low rainfall (600 mm / year on average), sufficient to compensate for the summer water deficit. Restanques also allow natural regulation of water resources
It is this particular climate that best suits one of the finest French varietals, Mourvèdre.
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