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Despite concerrns about the poor weather earlier in the summer, a survey by the Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins de Provence (the trade body for Provence wines) has forecast a similar harvest potential for 2007 as for previous years, i.e. about 3.5 million hectolitres or 350 million litres!.

The harvest should take place between mid-August and the first week of September. The vegetative cycle appears earlier than normal. Flowering took place without problems over a longer period than usual in most of the areas of the vineyard. Some minor coulure (non-setting of the fruit) has been noticed and a strong Mistral wind damaged some plots in June and July. General parasitic pressure has remained low despite some isolated problems. Mildew and oïdium have been controlled. Overall the state of the vineyard is good.

Provence is probably best known for its Rpsé wines, but you really should try out some excellent and surprisingly full-bodied red and white wines from the Côtes de Provence, Les Baux de Provence, and Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence. For more info see www.vinsdeprovence.com

Majestic Wine Warehouses have a good offer on Rosé wines at 20% off if you buy 2 or more - e.g. Château Saint Roch-les-Vignes 2006, Rosé de Provence (£4.79 with discount) “A delicious rosé showing soft spice and attractive fruit.” or Château Pigoudet La Chapelle Rosé 2006, Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence (£6.39 with discount) “The colour of bright pink petals, the nose boasts red apples and ripe cherries. Fresh and elegant, this aromatic rosé lingers on a beautiful finish. Enjoy with Salad Niçoise. “
If you’re in Provence try any of the wines from Mas Sainte Berthe at Les Baux de Provence.

For some Canadian friends we put together some ideas from our experience to demonstrate how best to do a few days wine touring in the southern Rhône Valley. This is such a rich area to visit - scenically, historically and from a wine (and food) perspective.

We chose to base the tour in St Remy de Provence (13, Bouches-du-Rhône, Provence) a few miles south of Avignon for easy access to Les Baux de Provence, Beaumes-de-Venise, Vacqueyras, Gigondas, Cairanne, Lirac, Tavel and Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

Others will choose different start points and other vineyards - importantly we think wine tours need to be paced, as an over-indulgence can dull the senses and diminish the enjoyment. And there are so many other things to do in the region, as well as just relax in the delightful climate and atmosphere of Provence.

For more info see www.frenchduck.co.uk

Now that most of the grape harvest is over, except for late harvest-style dessert wines, the attention now moves to that other vine - the olive.
In Provence in particular many wine domaines will also grow olive vines (e.g. Mas Sainte Berthe at les Baux de Provence (13, Bouches-du-Rhône, Provence)). So for a different take on a late autumn break you could always get the TGV down to Avignon and make your way out to a neat B&B near Beaumes-de-Venise (84 Vaucluse, Provence) where you can indulge in an olive-themed weekend - stroll around the olive groves, take part in the harvest, and enjoy the olive-dominated cuisine of yout hosts.
The Mas de l’Evajade is a farmhouse in the midst of the vineyards and the olive groves where you can enjoy the view over the Dentelles de Montmirail.. “Take part in gathering the olives with your host. Visit the olive mill and taste your hosts’ cuisine, based on olive oil of course.”
It is a delightful corner of Provence, close to Vacqueyras, Gigondas and Chateauneuf-du-Pape. And of course, although the sweet white Muscat de Beaumes de Venise is well-known in the UK, Beaumes-de-Venise is an important Côtes du Rhône-Villages appellation making seriously good red, rosé and dry white wines. There is a good co-operative in the village.
Our favourite recommendation would be the Domaine la Fourmone in nearby Vacqueyras/

Isle-sur-Sorgues (84 Vaucluse, Provence) keeps featuring in these pages by happenstance recently, and now the Indpendent has a Provence fest on its travel and food pages. Firstly Simon Calder takes a bike ride from Avignon to Orange via Isle-sur-Sorgues and Chateauneuf-du-Pape (Oddbins has a decent collection of Chateauneuf-du-Pape wines - big meaty numbers that are the best in the southern Rhone.)
The there is The Travellers Guide to the Flavours of Provence which suggests a nice little restaurant for a lazy lunch in Isle-sur-Sorgues and market stalls selling little honey sweets, olives and herbs. However, St Remy-de-Provence (13 Bouches-du-Rhone, Provence) is recommended as a foodie magnet with its Wednesday and Saturday markets and its experimental artisan bakery Le Petit Duc and its Master Chocolatier - www.chocolat-durand.com/!! The town is well worth a visit anyway, with its tree-lined boulevards and real Provencal feel. Just a few miles south over the impressive Alpilles mountains you’ll find Les Baux de Provence and the excellent wines (red, white and rosé) olives, olive oil and tapenade of one of our favourite vineyards - Mas Sainte Berthe.
The Independent also has an Avignon and Provence city guide, a guide to outdoor activities and family day trips in the area,and an article on Paul Cezanne and his home town of Aix-en-Provence (13 Bouches-du-Rhone, Provence) as it celebrates the centenary of his death.

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