BANDOL -
BETWEEN LAND AND SEA
Bandol’s vineyards are located in a natural amphitheatre, on terraces covering a total area of around 1600 hectares. The local wines, born of passion and respect for the appellation and the terroir of the place, made up of poor and arid soils of limestone and marne (a firm mixture of clay and limestone), reveal the character of each individual winemaker.
The vineyards overlooking the sea to the south enjoy almost 3000 hours of sunshine a year. At its feet, the Mediterranean Sea protects it from temperature differences, while on the heights, hills with pine and oak forests block the cool Mistral coming from the north.
Only after meeting those who create this wealth every day can you fully appreciate Bandol. Being a Bandol requires something special. Many years have passed from the planting of the vines to tasting the first bottle.
As early as June, a so-called green harvest is carried out (the excess clusters are ruthlessly cut off) so that only the best grapes remain, which are always hand-picked after ripening to avoid damaging them.
The red wine must then be aged for a minimum of 18 months in barrels to be approved as Bandol AOC.
WINERY WITH HISTORY AND STORY
Château Vannières
Domaines Bunan
Domaine
de Terrebrune
Domaine
du Gros ´Noré
Domaine Tempier
Château Guilhem Tournier
Domaine
Lafran-Veyrolles
AUTHORISED VARIETIES
MOURVÈDRE /syn. Monastrell/
The royal variety of Bandol. It needs all the perfection of the local terroir (soil, optimum sunshine, the influence of the sea and the prevailing winds). To achieve a beautiful ripeness, slow and complete, it is planted on the warmer southern slopes of the appellation.
It contributes its tannic richness, its exceptional ageing potential to the red wines of Bandol and gives them their original and complex character. The aroma and flavour are reminiscent of dark berry fruit, farm, wild game, earthy notes and, with time, hints of cedar wood and tobacco.
Similarly, for a rosé wine, Mourvèdre brings strength and remarkable resilience over time.
This beautiful variety has found its home in Bandol.
GRENACHE /syn. Garnacha, Cannonau/
With its character, which is rather fruity, slightly spicy and less tannic, reminiscent of strawberry and plum notes, this variety serves in a lower percentage to soften Bandol red wines and is more suitable for rosé wines, to which it lends a pleasant fruitiness. It is therefore planted on the cooler northern slopes of the appellation.
SYRAH /syn. Shiraz/
Syrah wines are characterized by a dark purple to inky dark colour, rich flavour with notes of dark berry fruit, pepper, with a touch of earthiness. The firm and pronounced tannins make them very well structured.
CINSAULT
It is distinguished by its soft fruity taste and rich aroma, which is why it is mainly used in Bandol for the production of local rosé wines.
CARIGNAN /syn. Mazuelo, Cariñena/
Wines from this grape variety tend to be rustic, tannic, with high colour and good acidity. The best quality wines come from old vines.
CLAIRETTE /syn. Blanquette/
Due to the high sugar content of the ripe grapes, this variety produces fuller, less lush white wines with higher alcohol. Thanks to the limestone bedrock, however, they retain their mineral freshness and good persistence. The Clairette variety is a key component of local white wines.
BOURBOLENC /syn. Roussette/
Bourboulenc has a good level of acidity, body, a penetrating citrus character with a hint of smoke and is also a very important component of white Bandol wines.
ROLLE /syn. Vermentino/
Rolle provides quality, powerful, intense and rich white wines. It is characterised by floral and fruity aromas reminiscent of apples, grapefruit, fresh pineapple, ripe pears and sweet spices.
MARSANNE /syn. Hermitage blanc/
In the aroma you can expect hints of orange, sweet lemon, figs, apricots, pears and subtle almond notes. On the palate, its rich texture evokes beeswax, roasted nuts, pear, meyer lemon, cardamom and anise.
UGNI BLANC /syn. Trebbiano/
Thanks to the higher acidity of this variety, local wines gain freshness and overall harmony.
SÉMILLON /syn. Sauternes/
It produces rich, juicy, fruity white wines with notes of melon and figs.
SAUVIGNON /syn. Blanc Fume/
A well-known and respected variety worldwide, providing balanced white wines with good freshness and typical notes of grapefruit, gooseberry, ripe citrus and yellow berry fruit.
OTHER VARIETIES OF SOUTHERN FRANCE
GRENACHE BLANC /syn. Garnacha blanca/
Another of the important varieties of southern France. It is not authorised for AOP Bandol, but may be used for off-palate white wines. It is a robust and moderately productive grape variety. It adds roundness and finesse to the wines.