Alpes-de-Haute-Provence is an IGP title that covers red, white and rosé wines from the administrative department of the same name in southeastern France. This mountainous department, in the very southern foothills of the Alps, is not well suited to large-scale agriculture of any kind, but vineyards can still be found among the hills and valleys. The IGP exists to give a geographical classification to wines which do not qualify (either geographically or stylistically) for the AOC-level Coteaux de Pierrevert appellation.
The department lies along France’s border with Italy, between the Mediterranean coast and the continental region of Savoie. Alpes-de-Haute-Provence is traversed by the Durance river as it makes its way toward the Rhone from the heights of the Alps, and a large furrow is cut through the land. It is on the hills that rise up from the river valley that most viticulture takes place, as this is where vines receive maximum sunlight exposure.
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The climate here, while exhibiting characteristics of the Mediterranean type, is moderated significantly by the presence of the Alps and the high altitude of the vineyards. Hot, sunny summer days are followed by much cooler nights as air from the Alps descends into the vineyards. As a result, wines from Alpes-de-Haute-Provence are lighter and more aromatic than the richer, more supple wines from lower-lying vineyards to the south.
Alpes-de-Haute-Provence is one of Provence’s least windy departments, as it is protected from harsh weather systems from the north by the Alps. Instead, warm foehn winds are generated by the mountains, and cool sea breezes from the Mediterranean keep the vine canopies moving, reducing disease pressure.
The department has a wide variation of soil types, many of which have a high proportion of limestone. These range from silty clays to more sandy and pebbly soils. Vineyards are located on the most well drained of these, where a lack of water in the soil will increase concentration in the grapes.
Alpes-de-Haute-Provence wines are usually classic Provencal blends of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsaut, vinified either as a red or a rosé wine. However, there is a move toward varietally labeled wines and more well-known grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are being planted in increasing numbers in the department.
The Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department was previously covered by the Vin de Pays des Alpes-de-Haute-Provence denomination. Since 2009, the Vin de Pays category has been phased out throughout France in favor of Indication Géographique Protégée: a classification that is more closely aligned with the European Union’s Protected Geographic Indication classification.
