Coteaux Varois en Provence: Chateau La Calisse Patricia Ortelli White

A vast area in south-eastern France, stretching from Arles to Nice and from the Luberon to the Alpes-Maritimes in the foothills of the Alps. Its wines are shaped by the warm Mediterranean climate and the famous 'mistral' wind, which plays an integral part in keeping the vineyards healthy. Provence produces red, white, and rosé, but is above all celebrated for its pale, dry, and elegant rosés, which are in high demand worldwide. With an extraordinary contrast of styles and a growing reputation for quality, the region has a promising future.

This appellation sits at the heart of "calcareous Provence", a hilly, high-altitude appellation in the Var department where chalky limestone soils and a notably continental climate produce some of the region's most mineral and refreshing wines. Created in 1993, it covers around 3,000 hectares centred on the town of Brignoles, once the summer home of the Counts of Provence. As across Provence, rosé is king - around 93% of production - made as a dry blend led by Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvèdre, or Syrah, with a small amount of white and red. Sheltered from the maritime influence by surrounding hills, its wines stand out for their freshness, minerality, and elegance.