Riviera wine: the back story

About Riviera wine: the back story

By the ULTIMATE the French Riviera Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Jai Michael

The Riviera’s vineyards are small and close to the sea. Bellet is a tiny appellation in the hills behind Nice; Cassis, under Cap Canaille, is known for its whites; Bandol, between Toulon and Marseille, for its reds; and the Côtes de Provence for rosé, including the vines of the Saint-Tropez peninsula.

Bellet

Château de Bellet makes AOC Bellet wine in the hills above Nice (chateaudebellet.com).

Cassis and Bandol

Clos Sainte Magdeleine makes organic AOC Cassis on the cliffs facing Cap Canaille; the growers’ syndicate lists the other estates (vinsdecassis.fr). In Bandol, Domaine Tempier is at Le Plan du Castellet.

Visit by appointment and plan a driver: these are winding roads.

Saint-Tropez

Minuty is a wine estate on the Saint-Tropez peninsula (minuty.com).

Our advice: book a tasting, and drink the local wine with the local food: a Cassis white with fish at the harbour.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Riviera wine: the back story before you go.