Pierrevert (formerly known as Coteaux de Pierrevert) is an appellation for the red, white and rose wines produced in the 11 parishes of Pierrevert, Greoux-les-Bains, Manosque, Montfuron, Quinson, Sainte-Tulle, Saint-Laurent-du-Verdon, Saint-Martin-de-Bromes, Villeneuve, Volx and Corbieres (not to be confused with the entirely distinct Corbieres appellation of the Languedoc).
These villages are located in the alpine foothills of northern Provence and boast some highest vineyards in France, reaching altitudes of around 3000ft (1000m). Granted VDQS status in 1956 and promoted to full AC status in 1998, Pierrevert wines are characterful and highly representative of the environment in which they are created. The cooler climate here is still considered to be of Mediterranean type, but the hot summer weather is in sharp contrast to the cold spells which descend on the area from the high Alps. This coolness brings a certain acidity to the wines, making them quite different from the richer, more supple wines made in the warmer, lower-lying vineyards to the west.
Grenache and Syrah are the dominant varieties used in red and rosé Pierrevert wines, complemented by their rustic, slightly less refined cousins Carignan and Cinsaut. The white wines are made from a balanced mix of Grenache Blanc, Ugni Blanc, Clairette and Roussanne. Interestingly, the appellation laws also permit a small addition of Vermentino. Better known for its role in the white wines of Italy, it has recently been adopted by the wine producers of southern France.
Pierrevert wines are not aggressively marketed in many locations outside France, as they have a comfortable, reliable consumer base provided by the healthy tourist trade of the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur region.
