Côtes de Provence to the east of Marseille, west of Nice is a noted region and the biggest of Provence’s 8 AOC areas, accounting for 75% of its production.

It is a large, splintered wine region that covers over 85 communes in the eastern region of Provence, extending from the alpine hills near Draguignan to the coast of Saint-Tropez. Terrain varies from close to the Mediterranean, through limestone foothills to higher altitude vineyards in oak and olive garrigue.

80% of the wine produced in Côtes de Provence is rosé; made from the usual southern varietals – Carignan, Cinsaut, Grenache, and Mourvèdre -though with an increasing use of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. There is also an AOC requirement that at least 20% of the rosé must be blended from wine produced by the saignee method of maceration.