Description
About Artea Wines
is an IGP title that covers red, white and rosé wines produced in the administrative department of the same name in southeast France.
This mountainous department, in the southern foothills of the Alps, is not well suited to any large-scale agriculture, but vineyards are still found scattered among the hills and valleys. The IGP exists to give a geographical classification to wines which do not qualify for the AOC-level Coteaux de Pierrevert appellation.
The department lies along France’s border with Italy, between the Mediterranean coast and the continental region of Savoie. Alpes-de-Haute-Provence is traversed by the Durance river creating a valley. Most viticulture takes place on the valley slope as this is where vines receive maximum sunlight exposure.
The climate has characteristics of the Mediterranean type, but is moderated significantly by the presence of the Alps and the high altitude of which vineyards are predominately found. Hot, sunny summer days are followed by much cooler nights as air from the Alps descends into the vineyards.
As a result, wines from Alpes-de-Haute-Provence are lighter and more aromatic than the richer, more supple wines from lower-lying vineyards to the south.
Alpes-de-Haute-Provence is one of Provence’s least windy departments, as it is protected from harsh weather systems from the north by the Alps. Instead, warm foehn winds are generated by the mountains, and cool sea breezes from the Mediterranean keep the vine canopies moving, reducing disease pressure.
The department has a wide variation of soil types, many of which have a high proportion of limestone. These range from silty clays to more sandy and pebbly soils.
Vineyards are located on the most well drained of these, where the lack of water in the soil increases the concentration in the grapes.
