The region, located near the coast east of
Marseille and
Cassis, is one of Provence's most internationally recognized wine regions. It was recognised as an
AOC in 1941. Built around the village of Bandol, west of
Toulon, the Bandol AOC covers the production of 8 communes with silica & limestone soils. Those soils and the warm, coastal climate are ideally suited for the late ripening
Mourvèdre grape which is the major variety of the region. For the red, Mourvèdre must account for at least 50% of the blend. For the rosés, Mourvèdre must account for at least 20% of the blend, though most producers will use significantly more, with
Grenache and
Cinsaut usually filling out the rest of the wine's composition. ==Population==