SAN FRANCISCO - Just as harvest is getting underway in the region, Wine Enthusiast has named Provence, France as a nominee for Wine Enthusiast's 2016 Wine Star Award for Wine Region of the Year. This marks the second nomination for the region, represented by Wines of Provence. Known for setting the gold standard for rosé wine where it has been produced for 26 centuries, Provence is the birthplace of France's first wine and the world's largest wine region specializing in dry rosé wine.
Provence's nomination recognizes the significant contributions the region has made to the industry, illustrated by the premium rosé category's impressive growth over the last decade. For the 12th straight year, exports of rosé wines from Provence to the United States have grown by double digits. As the American appetite for rosé climbed, the iconic dry rosé wines of Provence achieved an astonishing 58% increase in sales volume over the last year, and an even more impressive 74% increase in value, according to the French customs agency and the CIVP/Vins de Provence.
"It is an incredible honor to be nominated for such an important award by Wine Enthusiast," says Eric Dufavet, Director of Wines of Provence. "We have worked to deepen an understanding of primary markets and expand distribution channels. Our market success could not have been achieved without the collective work of the many wonderful producers inour region. In 2008 Wines of Provence had only 32 producers in the US market, now there are more than 150. We are delighted with this nomination and look forward to sharing more about Provence's delicious wines and category leadership."
The Wine Star Awards are regarded as some of the most important in the wine industry. Each year, the editors of Wine Enthusiast honor individuals, companies and regions that have made outstanding achievements and contributions in the wine and spirits world. The magazine will announce the winner on November 8, and the Wine Star Awards gala will be held on January 30, 2017 at the Nobu Eden Roc in Miami, FL.
The other nominees for Wine Region of the Year include:Champagne, France; Crete, Greece; Sonoma County, California and Willamette Valley, Oregon.
About Wines of Provence
Wines of Provence, known in France as the ConseilInterprofessionnel des Vins de Provence, is an organization representing 600 wine producers and 40 trade companies from the Provence region of France. Its mission is to promote and advance the wines of the region's primary appellations. The organization's members together produce 96 percent of Provence's Appellation d'Origine Protégée (AOP) wines. More information can be found at www.winesofprovence.com.