Chêne Bleu is a winemaker based in Vaucluse, in the southern Rhône Valley. The producer works across appellations in this part of southeastern France, including Vaucluse IGP and Ventoux, making still wines in red, white, and rosé styles.

Vaucluse and the broader Ventoux region are characterized by warm Mediterranean conditions moderated by the Mistral wind, which flows down the Rhône Valley. This climate suits southern Rhône varieties well, particularly Grenache and Syrah for reds, and white varieties like Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne. Wines from this area tend toward ripe fruit expression with good acidity and structure, reflecting both the heat and the ventilation the region receives.

Chêne Bleu's current range emphasizes the classic varieties of the southern Rhône. Their whites include single-varietal Viognier and a white blend (Aliot) built from Marsanne, Grenache Blanc, and Roussanne. Their reds center on Syrah and Grenache blends, notably the Astralabe cuvée, while their rosé draws on a broader palette of local red varieties. This selection reflects a straightforward engagement with the region's traditional grape mix.

La Provenza si estende nel sudest della Francia lungo la costa mediterranea, dal confine italiano a ovest fino al delta del Rodano. Questa antica regione vinicola produce circa 170 milioni di bottiglie all'anno, con i vini rosati che rappresentano approssimativamente il 90% della produzione totale. La regione comprende otto denominazioni, tra cui Côtes de Provence, Bandol e Cassis, distribuite su paesaggi vari che vanno dalle pianure costiere alle colline calcaree e ai terreni montagnosi.

Il clima mediterraneo offre abbondante sole, temperature calde e l'influenza rinfrescante del vento mistrale, che aiuta a mantenere l'acidità e riduce la pressione delle malattie nei vigneti. I terreni variano significativamente in tutta la regione, dalle aree calcaree e argillose delle colline alle zone costiere sabbiose e agli scisti in determinate zone. Côtes de Provence rappresenta la più grande denominazione, mentre Bandol si concentra sui rossi strutturati da Mourvèdre e Cassis si specializza in vini bianchi caratteristici da vitigni locali.

I vitigni tradizionali dominano le coltivazioni, con Grenache, Cinsault e Syrah che formano la base della maggior parte dei blend di rosato, spesso complementati da Mourvèdre e Tibouren. I vini bianchi presentano tipicamente Rolle (Vermentino), Clairette e Ugni Blanc, mentre i rossi enfatizzano Grenache, Syrah e Mourvèdre. I rosati provenzali sono caratterizzati dal loro colore rosa salmone pallido, ottenuto attraverso il contatto minimo con le bucce e la pressatura immediata, che risulta in vini freschi e secchi con delicati sapori di frutta e note minerali che riflettono il terroir diverso della regione.

Vaucluse IGP is an Indication Géographique Protégée covering the Vaucluse department in southeastern France, spanning parts of both the Rhône Valley and Provence regions. This designation allows winemakers greater flexibility than more restrictive AOC appellations, permitting a wider range of grape varieties and winemaking techniques across diverse terroirs within the department.

The Vaucluse encompasses varied landscapes from the Rhône Valley's gravelly terraces to Provence's limestone hills, creating diverse microclimates and soil types. The Mediterranean climate brings warm, dry summers and mild winters, with the mistral wind providing natural disease control. Producers can work with both traditional Rhône varieties like Syrah, Grenache, Marsanne, and Roussanne, as well as other Mediterranean grapes including Viognier, Cinsault, and Rolle (Vermentino).

Wines from Vaucluse IGP typically express the sun-soaked character of southern France while maintaining freshness through careful vineyard management and winemaking. White wines often show stone fruit and floral notes with mineral undertones, while rosés tend to be dry and food-friendly with red berry flavors and herbal nuances. The IGP classification encourages innovation, allowing producers to craft distinctive blends that reflect their specific terroir within this geographically diverse department.