Not all the wines were from Provence. We had Champagne, several Bordeaux, several Burgundies, etc.
With one dinner at our hotel in Grasse we had a dessert wine, MAS AMIEL MAURY VIN DOUX NATUREL--ten years of age. One year in large glass demijohns and nine years in oak barrels. No vintage is listed. 16.5% alcohol. 80% Grenache grapes and the rest may be Mourvedre and Syrah. Very dark red. Some cocoa on the nose. Label description translated includes "color or appearance reflects copper" and mentions "reglisse" (licorice.) I noted cocoa more than licorice but did really enjoy the wine. It is recommended for pairing with chocolate cake or a cheese plate and might be compared to Port.
Earlier in the dinner we had a nice Chablis: 2007 JEAN-MARC BROCARD CHABLIS DOMAINE SAINTE CLAIRE Very crisp and refreshing without exaggerated minerals.
On Friday, August 1st we spent the day in the Var region visiting a vineyard and wine cellar and having lunch at Chateau de Berne in a beautiful Provencal countryside setting. Chateau de Berne had a display of different colored liquids to illustrate descriptions for the shadings of rose' wines--Groseille, framboise (raspberry), pomelo, peche (peach), litchi, melon, manque (mango), abricot (apricot), Mandarine (mandarin orange.) They make a sparkling rose' called Wild Pig but I don't think we tried that one. They also make a rose' called Impatience. Our group tried six wines. The second group only had three wines.)
Our first wine was CUVEE TERRE DE BERNE white wine (a blend of Uni Blanc at Semillion.) Very pale and transparent. The server described flavors of citrus and apple. This was followed up by a rose' that took a silver medal at a wine competition in Burgundy--blend of Syrah, Grenache and Cinsault. I believe this was just called CHATEAU DE BERNE ROSE'. Held up to the display of rose' colors, it seemed to match the mango. Transparent. Light raspberry nose.
Third was the CHATEAU DE BERNE ROSE' CUVEE SPECIALE--60% Grenache. 40% Cinsault. Melon or salmon color with transparency. Nose of floral petals (perhaps even jasmine.) Fruits suggested for the nose included pineapple. The presenter said this is a good wine for serving throughout the meal and with spicy foods and Bouillabaise. This was perhaps my favorite at the winery. (I got more pink grapefruit on the nose and palate than pineapple.) Keeps for two years only.
We then had a 2006 CHATEAU DE BERNE BLANC CUVEE SPECIALE which ages for 3-5 years. Medium straw color with transparency. Fruity nose that I found hard to categorize; subtle oak. Chewy in the mouth. Very refreshing and made more complex with new French Oak. 50% Semillion and 50% Rolle (a Provencal grape which also is known by other names.) The presenter spoke of Brioche and yeasty flavors.
Fifth was 2006 CHATEAU DE BERNE TERRE DE BERNE ROUGE of Grenache, Syrah, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Ruby or crimson color with a pale rim. Can keep 3-4 years. Some spice, cardamon and red berries (liquorous.) Some viscosity.
Last poured was the 2002 CUVEE SPECIALE ROUGE which can keep 3-9 years. 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Syrah. Reddish brown color and semi-transparent.
More when I get back from a three-night trip to Michigan for Mo'Cool wine event.