Bandol AOC

Technical Summary

• Classification: AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée)
• EU Registration: Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)
• Geographic scope: 8 communes around Bandol, Var department
• Wine types: Red (~35%), Rosé (~60%), White (~5%)
• Unique requirement: Mourvèdre minimum 50% for red; 18 months oak aging

Regulatory Constraints (Verified)

Ampelographic Composition

Bandol Rouge:

• Mourvèdre: Minimum 50%
• Grenache: Up to 50%
• Cinsault: Up to 50%
• Combined Mourvèdre + Grenache + Cinsault: minimum 95%
• Other: Syrah, Carignan up to 5%

Bandol Rosé:

• Mourvèdre, Grenache, Cinsault (no minimum Mourvèdre)

Bandol Blanc:

• Clairette (minimum 50%)

• Bourboulenc, Ugni Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc permitted

• Source: Cahier des Charges AOC Bandol, Art. 5

Geographic Delimitation

• Communes: Bandol, La Cadière-d’Azur, Le Castellet, Le Beausset, Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer, Sanary-sur-Mer, Ollioules, Évenos
• Total vineyard area: ~1,600 hectares
• Terroir: Amphitheater-shaped hillsides; Mediterranean climate
• Source: Cahier des Charges, Art. 3

Yield Limits

Wine Type	Maximum Yield
Bandol Rouge	40 hl/ha
Bandol Rosé	45 hl/ha
Bandol Blanc	45 hl/ha

• Source: Cahier des Charges, Art. 7

Aging Requirements (Red Only)

• Minimum aging: 18 months in oak containers
• Container size: Not specified (foudres traditional)
• One of longest mandatory oak aging periods in France
• Source: Cahier des Charges, Art. 8

Minimum Alcohol

• All colors: 11.0% vol minimum
• Source: Cahier des Charges, Art. 8

Enological Implications

Evidence-Backed Implications

Mourvèdre dominance requirement:

• 50% minimum is highest Mourvèdre requirement globally for major appellation
• Many top producers use 80-95% Mourvèdre
• Late-ripening variety requires warm Mediterranean climate

18-month oak aging:

• Significant capital and cellar requirement
• Softens Mourvèdre’s aggressive tannins
• Traditional large oak (foudres) preferred

Low yields (40 hl/ha for red):

• Among lowest in Provence
• Concentrated, structured wines
• Economic premium positioning

Operational Observations

Rosé production dominance:

• ~60% of production is rosé
• No Mourvèdre minimum for rosé
• Different grape blend typically used

Mourvèdre’s terroir requirements:

• Needs warm site for full ripening
• Mediterranean maritime influence beneficial
• Bandol considered ideal Mourvèdre terroir

Frequent Compliance Risks

Mourvèdre Percentage Shortfall

• Risk: Red wine below 50% Mourvèdre
• Impact: Cannot be labeled Bandol Rouge
• Mitigation: Precise blending calculations

Aging Duration Compliance

• Risk: Releasing red before 18 months oak aging
• Impact: Non-compliant product
• Mitigation: Cellar tracking; aging documentation

Yield Exceedance

• Risk: Exceeding 40 hl/ha (red) or 45 hl/ha (rosé/white)
• Impact: Excess declassified to Côtes de Provence
• Mitigation: Green harvest; yield monitoring

Relevant Grape Varieties

• Mourvèdre — primary red variety (minimum 50%)
• Grenache — secondary red variety

Key Producers

Quality Benchmarks

• Domaine Tempier: Historic estate; biodynamic; benchmark Mourvèdre
• Château de Pibarnon: High-altitude; elegant style; age-worthy
• Domaine de Terrebrune: Organic; mineral-driven; classic Bandol
• Château Pradeaux: Traditional; long aging; structured
• Château Vannières: Family estate; quality range
• Domaine de la Bégude: Organic; high elevation; fresh style
• Domaine du Gros’Noré: Biodynamic; powerful reds

References

1. Cahier des Charges AOC Bandol
   • INAO
   • URL: https://www.inao.gouv.fr/

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Last Updated: January 6, 2026