Château de Berne, red wines from Provence.
Our winery produces AOP Côtes de Provence red, rosé and white. The property occupies 175 hectares on the Triassic plateau which is composed of limestone soil from the Middle and Lower Jurassic period. Our great reds are matured in our arched aging cellar and lit by a stained glass window.
Frequently asked questions about our red wine from Provence:
What does the Côtes de Provence appellation mean?
Côtes de Provence is an appellation with both the French AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) and European AOP (Appellation d'Origine Protégée) label. The wines are produced in the Provence-Corsica wine region in the southeast. Its terroir benefits from a Provençal Mediterranean climate with soils composed of limestone, schist, granite, phyllite, sandstone, marl and alluvial sand.
Côtes de Provence red wines offer different colours depending on the grape varieties and their origins, a deep garnet colour complemented by mauve reflections. The nose is typical, fine and complex, with notes of red fruits such as strawberry, redcurrant and raspberry. The second nose regularly reveals notes of animal, leather and venison. In the mouth, it is either light or powerful with a generous and full body, and robust tannins.
Is Côtes de Provence red a good wine to offer?
The answer is definitely yes, the red Côtes de Provence is one of the best wines to offer. In the regions of Provence, you find elegant wines of a very good quality, but at a low price. The perfect gift idea for a birthday, Christmas, retirement or just your gifting pleasure, you would be sure to please with red wine from Provence. In the AOP Côtes de Provence wine region, the richness of the terroir makes it easy to find wines for all tastes, and at the best price.
What are the characteristics of your wines?
Château de Berne red 2019 :
The Grande Cuvée is made from old vines cultivated with low yields. A blend of Syrah and Cabernet-Sauvignon, it offers a pretty, dark garnet red colour with purple highlights. A very expressive nose with aromas of ripe black fruits, spices and flowers. On the palate, the attack is fresh and light, supported by velvety and melted tannins, with black fruits aromas.
Great Red Harvest 2018 :
The Berne Grande Récolte is the flagship cuvée of the house. A blend of Syrah, Cabernet-Sauvignon and Grenache noir, its garnet color is brilliant with purple reflections. On the nose, it reveals notes of black fruit, Ente plums, liquorice and pepper. On the palate, the attack is supple, the tannins are initially melted with a spicier finish.
Bern Red Inspiration 2016 :
A blend of Syrah, Cabernet-Sauvignon and Carignan. The eye is seduced by a beautiful cherry red colour. The nose is expressive, revealing notes of red fruits mixed with spices and a light, powdery, elegant woodiness. The palate is quite structured, with a supple and fresh attack, offering smooth roundness with a fresher and longer finish.
Terres de Berne red 2019 :
A blend of Syrah and Cabernet-Sauvignon, its color is deep red with garnet highlights. It offers a nose of black fruits with spicy notes lifted with a hint of mint. On the palate, the attack is supple and round with persistent fruity aromas. The finish is fruity with a touch of liquorice.
Saint-Roux the Red Dovecote 2016 :
A blend of Grenache Noir, Cinsault, Syrah, Carignan and Mourvèdre, it reveals a very beautiful carmine colour. The nose opens with red and stewed fruits, and a hint of pepper and liquorice, and discreet notes of roasting and woody spices. On the palate, the round and ample attack reveals a well-structured and harmonious wine.
UP Ultimate Provence red 2019 :
A blend of Syrah and Cabernet-Sauvignon, its colour is carmine red with purple highlights. Modern and generous, it offers notes of red fruits and spices. On tasting, this wine blends notes of ripe red fruits with those of warm spices. It is has a very beautiful structure.
How to taste a red wine?
Firstly, to taste a wine, you should know that an amateur only needs one or two sips. The first step is the eye. Indeed, the dress of the wine, namely its colour and appearance, give indications on the nature and quality of a wine.
The second step is the nose. Start by smelling the wine without moving it, to see if it is closed, discreet or open. If it is closed, it can be decanted. Next comes the second nose, after swirling the wine, smell it to appreciate the aromas.
The third stage is the palate. There are two techniques for tasting a wine - chewing or grunt. Chew it for a few seconds like food, the saliva will mix with the wine and bring out its texture and structure. Or to grub, this corresponds to bringing in air by sucking in through the mouth in order to recognize flavors and aromas more easily.
Finally, the fourth step... summarising your impressions. Did you like this wine or not? Use the retro-smelling to perceive the different aromas of the wine, are they pleasant, powerful… how is its length in the mouth, the intensity of its aromatic persistence…? And in general, the more length a wine has, the better it is.
What is the difference between organic and non-organic red wine?
● Definition of a conventional wine: wine whose cultivation and vinification do not respect the principles of organic farming or biodynamics. Synthetic chemicals and oenological inputs are authorised.
● Products authorised for growing conventional wine: all synthetic chemicals authorized in agriculture such as insecticides, herbicides, plant growth regulators, etc.
● Quantity of sulphites authorised for conventional wine: a red can contain up to 150 mg/l total SO2 (sulphites). A white or a rosé can contain up to 200 mg/l total SO2 (sulfites).
● What is an organic wine ? It's a wine from agriculture and vinification without synthetic chemicals. The main AB and Bio Europe labels are the way to guarantee this approach.
● The products authorised for the cultivation organic wine vines: it is possible to use chemical products of natural origin, that said, certain synthetic products are an exception, in particular calcium hydroxide (slaked lime) , paraffin oil (from petroleum) and copper compounds (copper hydroxide, copper oxychloride, cuprous oxide, Bordeaux mixture and tribasic copper sulphate).
● Quantity of sulphites authorized for organic wine: a red can contain up to 100 mg/l total SO2 (sulphites). A white wine or a rosé can contain up to 150 mg/l total SO2 (sulfites).
What grape varieties are used?
Syrah Noir, from France (Rhône), Grenache Noir (Spain), Cinsault from France (Provence), Cabernet-Sauvignon from France (Bordeaux), Carignan (Spain) and Mourvèdre (Spain).
How are the grapes for a red Côtes de Provence grown?
The vine, like many plants, follows the cycle of the seasons. In March/April, it is the bud burst. The buds begin to develop and the vine wakes up. Then in May/June, comes the flowering where small flowers appear, with the shape of the future bunches of grapes. This is the time for trimming, topping and debudding, or in other words, the removal of useless branches. In July, it is the time of fruit set, the grapes grow as fertilised flowers. In August, veraison occurs; this is when the grapes grow, ripen and take on their red colour, becoming less acidic whilst developing the sugars levels and general aromas. This maturation will last until the harvest.
What sulphites are used?
As a rule, these are sulphites or sulphur, otherwise known as sulfur dioxide (SO2), sodium sulphite, sodium bisulphite, or sulphiting agents.
What food and red wine pairings would you recommend?
The red wine of Provence generally goes well with grilled meats, cold cuts, traditional dishes of Provence (including larks without heads), fresh pasta in tomato coulis, grilled beef ribs on vine shoots, stews and Asian cuisine. Of course, not to forget cheese, such as Saint-Nectaire, Rocamadour, Fourme or Salers.
Are your red wines environmentally friendly?
Since February 2021, the 175 hectares of Château de Berne have been certified as organic. This approach is part of our commitment to protect our generous nature, just like the men who cultivate it. The estate has also been certified as Level 3 High Environmental Value (HVE), for our work over many years in response to the economic, environmental and social aspects of the farm, rasied by the Grenelle de l'Environnement. All the wines are made in this spirit, out of respect for both nature and people.
Does red wine contain preservatives?
The purpose of adding sulphites to wine is to counter the harmful effects that oxygen can have on wine; this prevents wine from turning into “vinegar”. Sulphites are an antioxidant that limit the oxidation process of wine as well as an antiseptic that fights against yeasts and bacteria that can be present in wine. This helps to maintain a balance of the microbial flora of wine, which is conducive to better conservation.
How long can we keep red wine from Provence?
In the southern regions, particularly in Provence, the tannins are often marked and the acidity can sometimes be lower. The materials are often rich, dense and fleshy. On beautiful terroirs, granite, schistose or limestone soil and the proximity to the sea, the red wines of Provence can offer long aging times, often beyond 10 years.
What are the best vintages of red Côtes de Provence?
The region, the Château or the grape variety are not enough to determine the quality of a vintage. It is also determined by the quality of the grapes and the influence of seasonal weather conditions. This includes exposure to the sun, general temperature and the work of the winemaker. That being said, the best years for red Provence wines for the past twenty years are: 2020, 2019, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2010, 2009, 2005 and 2003.
