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  5. Artisan Tours in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur: Wines & Spirits

Artisan Tours in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur: Wines & Spirits

First planted with vines by the Ancient Greeks, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur has risen to become the world’s leading producer of rosé and other varied and flavourful wines. But that’s not all: the region also prides in craft beers, aniseed drinks and surprising liqueurs. Welcome to our exciting artisan tours in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur!

Sublime Wines

Across the region

Stretching between the Mediterranean Sea and Southern Alps, the Provence terroir spans almost 200 kilometres from East to West and is mainly located in the Bouches-du-Rhône and Var areas. Its vines produce predominantly delicate and fruity rosés, together with tasty and supple young reds and full-bodied, powerful wines perfect for aging. You’ll find aromatic, well-rounded white wines here too. Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur is well-known for its Vallée du Rhône wines (including AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Luberon, Ventoux, Gigondas and Vacqueyras). Other appellations such as Bellet, whose vine flourish to the West of Nice, and Pierrevert, at the crossroads of both Mediterranean and Alpine influences, have also made a solid name for themselves. You’ll find some surprising decors at the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur vineyards, including vines encircled by magnificent gardens, dotted with contemporary works of art, or set against historical backdrops. Push open the doors to the regional cellars, where a warm welcome, fascinating tour and well-earned glass await you.

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Southern Beers

On the way to Saint-Tropez

Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur makes beers too! If you want to find out how, head to the Brasserie Carteron in Hyères. Thomas Carteron started out as a winegrower and now has a passion for combining wine and beer. His Trop’Rosée was designed as a “beer version” of rosé wine. You’ll find beers flavoured with citrus zests there too. Steeped in a delightful airy ambience, the Brasserie Carteron brewery introduces visitors to the ingredients used to make beer, along with the production process, various amenities and brewing profession. You’ll enjoy the tasting session and shop, plus – the cherry on the froth – tons of unique beer and food pairing ideas adapted to every season.

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Cristal Liminana aniseed

A benchmark

In 1876, Pascual et Manuel Liminana decided to leave their village near Alicante and the impoverished Spanish countryside behind them and head to Algeria. At their uncle’s bar, they observed Spaniards reminiscing sadly over their beloved Paloma, the aniseed drink that quenched their thirst back home. The two brothers took up the gauntlet and their Cristal Liminana beverage was soon a huge success. The bottle features an aniseed flower, along with the emblems of the various communities that rubbed shoulders in Algeria at the time. Once independence was declared, Cristal Liminana was exported to the City of Marseille, on the opposite shores of the Mediterranean. Today’s tour of the plant – led by the founder’s great-granddaughter – starts off at the boutique, then moves onto ancient posters portraying the turbulent history of the Mediterranean and ends in the vat room, where the finished products are ready and waiting to be dispatched.

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Liqueurs to savour

Herbes de Provence and Williams Pear

Firmly anchored in the countryside of Provence, redolent with the scents of thyme, rosemary and many other herbs, the Distillerie Frigolet produces its legendary local liqueur according to traditional techniques, using no less than 30 different plants. The tour allows visitors to delve into the various production phases: plant drying, maceration, distillation in copper stills and aging in oak casks. How about a sip of pear liqueur next? Head to Ile de la Barthelasse in Avignon, where the Distillerie Manguin grows its precious pears under glass. From May to July, you can enjoy strolling round the pear orchard strung with bottles and carafes!

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Discover the full list of Provence Alpes-Côte d’Azur “Entreprise & Découverte” quality-certified artisans.

 

 

 

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