Provence wines: the 2020 vintage

Provence wines: the 2020 vintage

21st July 2021

An early start
After a wet 2019 autumn, winter was very dry and one of the mildest on record, so much so that the growing season got off to an early start. In March, however, despite plummeting temperatures slowed development, though the vine cycle continued to stay ahead of usual growth milestones with flowering ten to fifteen days earlier than normal.
Good conditions for harvesting
In July, the hot, dry weather caused some nascent water stress in some areas and reduced progress in growth at the veraison stage. Harvesting began in mid-August in the earliest-ripening areas and extended over a longer period than usual, with the last grapes picked in the latest-ripening areas picked in mid-October. In terms of ripeness, the hot, dry summer promoted good development of the fruit whilst cooler temperatures, combined with a few days of rain that occurred in September and the return of the Mistral wind, proved beneficial for the vineyards harvested last. Across the region, the grapes showed lovely sugar-acid balance and concentration.
Inconsistent volumes
Rainfall in the spring led to downy mildew, which was kept under control. However, episodes of frost that affected the Var in March, with temperatures falling to -7°C inland at a time when the growing season had already begun, had a negative impact on production volumes, particularly for the Grenache. Conversely, areas left unaffected harvested a bountiful crop with fairly large, juicy berries.

The wines of the 2020 vintage

AOC CÔTES DE PROVENCE
Light to very light, brilliant, clear hues.
Fresh flowers (rose), yellow fruits (melon, peach) and red fruits (strawberry, raspberry, cherry), with touches of citrus zest, tropical fruits and marshmallow.
Balanced generosity and light tangy freshness lifting a persistent finish often suffused with abundant fruitiness.

AOC COTEAUX D’AIX-EN-PROVENCE

Shimmering, vibrant, light colours of salmon-pink, peach and lychee with clean pink reflections.
Floral and tangy red berry fruit notes, intense aromas of citrus and yellow or white-fleshed fruits, occasionally lifted by some sweet spice accents. Ample with a great acid backbone.

AOC COTEAUX VAROIS EN PROVENCE
Beautiful pale pink colour ranging from salmon to very light pink. Complex and expressive. Floral notes and broad array of fruit aromatics – citrus, tropical fruits, sun-ripened fruits and fresh red fruits.
Elegant and ample yet also aromatic and persistent. Consistently shows great balance between roundness and freshness.