Méditérranée is an IGP title covering wines made in a large area on the southeast coast of France, roughly corresponding to the Provence wine region, as well as a part of the Rhône Valley. Winegrowing is vital to the culture and economy in this part of France, and the IGP shares its land with AOC appellations as varied as Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Bandol and Côtes de Provence.
© Wikimedia/Robert Brink
The catchment area of the Méditérranée IGP extends over 10 departments (including the two on the island of Corsica), as well as covering smaller parts of Isère, Loire and Rhône. The terroir here is varied, but is broadly characterized by both the very southern edges of the Alps, and the warm, dry Mediterranean climate.
Most vineyards can be found in the hills and valleys of the Alpine foothills, where the region’s myriad rivers cut paths through the mountains. Here, plentiful sunlight hours provide an excellent ripening situation for the grapes, cooled by either the strong winds or the colder nights associated with higher altitude. The winds – notably the Mistral from the north and sea breezes from the south – often collide in spring and autumn, creating periods of heavy rainfall. This rains provide ample hydration for the vines throughout the growing season.
The Méditérranée IGP is widely used, as it provides an alternative geographical indicator without the stringent winemaking requirements and grape variety selections imposed by the area’s AOC laws. That said, a large proportion of Méditérranée IGP wines are rosé, and are made in a typical Provençal style. Grape varieties like Grenache, Syrah, Carignan and Cinsaut dominate both red and rosé wines, while white wines (which make up only a small part of production) are typically made from Vermentino, Viognier and Muscat.
Méditérranée IGP wines were previously classed as Vin de Pays, but as this category of French wine has been phased out since 2009 due to its poor consumer image, they are now classified as Indication Géographique Protégée (IGP).
