Cassis: Chateau de Fontcreuse Cuvée F 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.

Created in 1936, Cassis lies around a small coastal village in south-eastern Provence, just east of Marseille, with around 200 hectares of vineyards in production. Set on limestone slopes sheltered beneath the dramatic Cap Canaille cliffs and cooled by sea breezes, it is unusual in Provence for being known predominantly for its white wines. Made chiefly from Marsanne and Clairette, alongside Ugni Blanc and others, these are fresh, aromatic, and full-bodied whites with a distinctive minerality, prized as a classic partner for the local seafood and bouillabaisse. Small quantities of rosé and red are also made, but the wines remain very exclusive, with the majority never leaving the region.