Côte de Provence and Bandol
On a sunny day in November, I did a wine tasting tour around Toulon together with my friend Tina, who is a wine connoisseur. It almost takes 2h to drive to this area from Nice.
We started with Domaine de la Navicelle located east of Toulon, tucked into the side of the “Colle Noire” massif overlooking the sea. We learned that the owner of the domain is the Kamprad family (founder of IKEA) since 1996. The family members regularly come here for family vacation. In 2006, the family hired a wine expert to seriously produce a good wine and 10 years later they did.
The Wine
The vineyard represents 21 hectares of Côte de Provence appellation. The wine is certified biological and they also adopt biodynamic cultivation practices, which means that you follow the lunar cycle.
It’s possible to make a wine tasting of its entire range of wines. No need for booking.
- A Flot – a rosé wine perfect for summer and easy to drink
- La Navicelle white, rose and red
- Zephir
We got a nice picnic basket and went into the wineyard to enjoy it in the sun.
The domain also offers accommodation and a pool to spend some calm and relaxing days.
I bought 2 Navicelle red for 14 euros.
We continued to Domaine Tempier north of Bandol. It took 40 min. because we had to go through Toulon.
This is a family owned estate and one of the top Bandol producers. They have 60 ha and produce 45% red, 45% rosé, 10% white. wine. A majority of the wine is exported and most of the vintages are sold out.
Strict protocol for Bandol wine
Lucie Tempier and Lucien Peyraud settled at Domaine Tempier in 1940,. Lucien became a member of the Association’s Board, and also of the Tasting Saand Quality Control Commission. The Bandol approving process is very strict. The protocol says the wine must be in barrels for at least 18 months and it must be presented to the wine tasting committee for a blind tasting. They have three attempts to present and correct, and on top of that regularly controls.
We tasted Cuvee Lulu 2017 – named after the grand lady on her 100th birthday, Cuvée Classique 2019 and the white wine. The red still has a lot of tannin and needs to be in a cave for at least 8 more years.
I bought a bottle of Cuvee Lulu 2017 for 35 euros that I will keep in my cave for 8 years.
We went further to Château de Pibarnon which took about 15 minutes. It was a beautiful trip with a nice view over the sea.
This is a Family estate created in 1978 by Henri de Saint-Victor and managed by his son Éric since 2000. The domain is of appr 60 ha and from the “castle” you have a great view over the vineyards including an amphitheater look-alike vineyards created by Henri de Saint Victor. They produce 60% red wine, 30% rosé, 10% white wine and sell 70% to the French market.
It’s possible to do wine tasting and visit the “caves” but need to book in advance.