In a region where 89.5 percent of the wine production is rosé, whites have a very small voice. Provence, that glorious stretch in the south of France where sunflowers seem to smile and fields of lavender waft their perfume across the countryside, is the only French wine region where rosé dominates. But hidden behind this sea of rosés are lovely, virtually unknown whites. While they account for only 3.5 percent of Provence’s output (the remaining 7 percent is red), they are nature’s perfection for summer sipping.
One attractive example is Domaine Houchart 2013 ($15), a blend of 75 percent Clairette and 25 percent Rolle (France’s name for Italy’s Vermentino grape). Its color is pale, just barely tinted, so its fresh, forward aroma may be a surprise — a mix of flowers and summer fruits with a hint of citrus and a touch of honey. Its texture is silky, and an aftertaste reminds one of Provence itself.
Château Pas du Cerf 2013 also pale-shaded, combines Rolle and Sémillon to produce a tasty wine, vigorous and minerally and steely, young and snappy. It sells for $15.
Château La Mascaronne 2012 produces Vita Bella, a blend of Rolle and Ugni Blanc, also pale in color. Its fruity aroma and round-textured body combine with a quiet acidity and medium finish. Expect to pay $20 to $25.
Première de Figuière 2013 is the product of the winery Saint André de Figuière. The most expensive of these whites at $32, it is a blend of Rolle and Sémillon. The wine’s brighter yellow color combines with an aromatic mixture of herbs and earth on the nose. The body is smooth, the finish medium-long.
Château La Tour de L’Évêque labels its 2013 white wine Blanc de Blancs, a white wine from a blend of Rolle and Sémillon. Less forward in its flavors than the other Provence whites I tasted, its appeal is soft and inviting with quiet charm; it is priced at $25.
Read This Next
Lotte Hotel Seoul
2014 / February 2014
Jun 1, 2016All Reads on This Topic
Read Them All

Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Feb 28, 2025What to Know About This Year’s Cincinnati Music Festival
July 24–26, Paycor Stadium and Andrew J. Brady Music Center resounds with music as the Cincinnati Music Festival gets underway. Launched in 1962 and ranking as one of the country’s largest music festivals, CMF celebrates the very best of R&B, jazz, soul, and hip-hop.
Sponsored Content
A Summer Sojourn Along Europe’s Rivers with AmaWaterways
This summer, elevate your vacation experience with award-winning AmaWaterways. Offering a seamless blend of unparalleled luxury, authentic cultural experiences and unrivaled service, AmaWaterways cruises are the perfect way to uncover the heart of Europe during the sunniest season with itineraries that glide along the continent’s most iconic rivers, including the Danube, the Rhine, the Seine and the Douro.
February 2025
Feb 28, 2025Wholly Immerse in Your Adventures with New Advances in Technology
OM System Tough TG-7 OM System might sound like a new arrival in the camera space, but it’s just the new name for industry stalwart Olympus. Continuing the theme of continuity, TG-7 updates the much-loved TG-6 underwater camera. Capable of descending as far as 50 feet below the waves, TG-7 features three preset modes to help beginners take stunning photos and video at different depths, as light behaves differently the deeper you go. Add on the PT-059 underwater case, and the camera will be safe down to 147 feet and you can also add optional lenses such as FCON-T02, for circular images, and FCON-T01, a tele converter for longer shots. $500.
Daily
Feb 28, 20259 Luxurious Hotels for Spring Break Getaways
Spring break will be here before we know it. Consider a visit to one of these nine luxurious properties.
Sponsored Content
Find Your Perfect Escape with Paradisus by Meliá — More Than Just All-Inclusive
Luxury travel today is about more than just beautiful accommodations — it’s about experiencing the destination. Paradisus by Meliá takes traditional all-inclusive resorts to the next level by offering indulgence with immersion, experiences and authenticity. Each resort is shaped by its location, local flavors and curated Destination Inclusive® experiences that bring you closer to the heart of the destination.
Daily
Feb 28, 2025First Vignette Collection Hotel in South America Opens in Lima, Peru
IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury and lifestyle brand Vignette Collection officially debuts in South America with SOUMA Hotel Lima in Lima, Peru. Situated in the city’s vibrant Miraflores neighborhood overlooking the Pacific Ocean from the Malecón, SOUMA Hotel Lima offers 214 thoughtfully designed guestrooms with accents like light wood, cotton, linen and floor-to-ceiling windows. All accommodations are free of single-use plastics, too.
Take a Northern Cali Road Trip to Tomales Bay
Daily
Feb 26, 2025eFlyer Reviews
Feb 26, 2025Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort, Costa Rica by Hyatt Review
Tucked in the jungle of Costa Rica’s exclusive Peninsula Papagayo, Andaz Peninsula Papagayo embodies a mindful balance of luxury and nature. This World of Hyatt beauty blends seamlessly into its lush, 1,400-acre surroundings for instant immersion in the Pura Vida lifestyle with ocean views, meaningful local experiences and 5-star amenities that don’t detract from the peninsula’s serious commitment to sustainability. There’s also plenty of monkeys.
Sponsored Content
Royal Air Maroc Marks Five Years with oneworld: Strengthening Connectivity Between USA and Africa and Expanding Global Reach
Royal Air Maroc proudly enters its fifth year as a member of the prestigious oneworld alliance. Since joining in April 2020, RAM has demonstrated resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, emerging as a dynamic airline that enhanced its digital services and expanded its network. The airline plans to grow its fleet to 200 aircraft by 2037, reinforcing its global presence.
Daily
Feb 26, 2025Turks and Caicos’ Ambergris Cay Unveils New Dream Estate
Ambergris Cay, a private island resort in Turks and Caicos, recently debuted its largest and most lavish accommodation yet: Dream Estate. The new property offers an all-inclusive escape for large groups and multigenerational trips. Dream Estate offers two experiences in one with the Dream Pavilion and Dream Away villas. Together, it has a total of 10 bedrooms, four pools, a hot tub, four fire pits, two private beach access points, gardens, multiple terraces and other outdoor experiences.
ShareThis