A stay in Cannes is synonymous with the Mediterranean art of living, refined gastronomy and exceptional moments by the sea. Whether you're having lunch on a terrace on the Croisette, organising an aperitif on a yacht or sharing dinner in a villa, the choice of wine becomes a central part of the experience. Between the emblematic vintages of Provence and the international references, certain bottles are a natural choice for a stay in the city of festivals. Here's a guide to selecting the essential wines that will enhance every moment spent in Cannes.
1862 Wines & Spirits, For over 160 years, the historic cellar, ideally located between the Old Port and the Croisette, has been helping wine lovers and connoisseurs make their wine choices, with a selection designed to meet the requirements of both international and local customers.
Provence rosés: a must for every day in Cannes
It's impossible to imagine a holiday on the Côte d'Azur without sampling a Provence rosé. This wine embodies the very essence of the Mediterranean art of living, and is a natural choice as an aperitif, on a terrace facing the sea or beside a swimming pool.
The Côtes de Provence are the region's flagship appellation, with a delicate pale pink to salmon colour, aromas of red fruit (strawberry, raspberry) and subtle floral notes. These wines stand out for their thirst-quenching freshness and balance between acidity and fruitiness, making them particularly well-suited to the summer temperatures in Cannes.
Reference areas include Château Minuty on the Saint-Tropez peninsula, whose wines have become emblematic of the region, or the Domaine Ott, Château de Selle Rosé is often regarded as the pinnacle of rosé production in Provence. For those who love confidential discoveries, the Merchandise Area near Grimaud produces lively, vibrant rosés with aromas of fresh strawberries and white peaches.
Perfect with Provençal rosé
Provence rosé is the ideal accompaniment to :
- The aperitifs on the terrace with tapenade, cherry tomatoes and fresh goat's cheese
- The Niçoise salads and light starters typical of the region
- The Mediterranean grills, barbecued fish and summer cooking
The whites of Provence and the Côte d'Azur: fresh and elegant
While rosé largely dominates Provençal production (90% of volumes), the Provence white wines deserve special attention. Although confidential (4% of the volumes of the AOC Côtes de Provence), these whites are gaining in notoriety thanks to their unique typicity linked to the rolle (or vermentino), the region's emblematic grape variety.
The Provençal whites offer golden yellow colour, This is a wine of great aromatic finesse, combining citrus fruit, stone fruit and floral notes. The rolle grape brings fatness, balance and finesse, while the ugni blanc lends minerality and freshness.
An exceptional terroir: the wines of Lérins Abbey
Just a stone's throw from Cannes, on the’Saint-Honorat island, The monks of the Abbaye de Lérins cultivate a vineyard that is unique in the world. The clay-limestone soil enriched with organic matter, the maritime influences and the exceptional amount of sunshine give these wines a remarkable singularity. Their Chardonnay and Viognier offer unique characteristics to this island terroir, ideal for accompanying Mediterranean fish.
White wine and food pairing
Provence whites go perfectly with :
- The seafood platters oysters, prawns, scampi
- The grilled fish and cannoise bouillabaisse
- La Mediterranean cuisine and dishes made with olive oil
Champagne: the ally of exceptional moments
In Cannes, a city of festivals and prestigious events, the champagne is a natural choice for apéritifs d'honneur, yacht parties or villa celebrations.
Which cuvée to choose for which occasion?
For a elegant aperitif, for a Blanc de Blancs (made exclusively from Chardonnay), which stands out for its elegance, minerality and floral aromas. Its fine, light texture makes it the ideal aperitif companion without weighing down the taste buds.
To support seafood or shellfish, a Extra Brut (low sugar content) brings out the purity of the terroir with notes of gingerbread and dried fruit. The vintages Prestige Rosé with exotic notes to enhance the flavours of canapés and Asian cuisine.
Major houses such as Laurent-Perrier, Ruinart, Taittinger or Veuve Clicquot offer prestige cuvées that are particularly well-suited to the needs of the Cannes clientele.
Red wines with character: for Mediterranean gastronomy
While whites and rosés dominate the summer in Cannes, some red wines are the perfect accompaniment to the local cuisine, especially on cooler evenings or for gourmet dinners.
Bandol: the power of the Mediterranean
The name Bandol produces red wines ranked among the great wines of Provence. The grape variety Mourvèdre (between 50 and 95%) gives these wines remarkable complexity: a mineral base, aromas of Havana, leather, black fruit and cinnamon. On the palate, the tannins are subtly enhanced by a hint of liquorice.
These powerful, full-bodied wines express their full personality after a few years in the cellar, and can be kept for several decades. They are the perfect accompaniment to’roast lamb (leg or loin), red meats, duck with olives and small game birds.
The great Bordeaux wines
For lovers of long-keeping wines and grands crus, Bordeaux appellations such as Pauillac, Saint-Julien, Margaux or Saint-Estèphe offer essential references. Visit Château Mouton Rothschild, the Château Lafite Rothschild or the Château Lynch-Bages (Pauillac) are the perfect accompaniment to noble meats such as Pauillac lamb or game.
The wines of Margaux, These more «feminine» and elegant wines are ideal with fillet of beef with duck foie gras or entrecôte steak.
Burgundy whites: the French distinction
For the noble fish and shellfish, Nothing beats a great Burgundy white. A Meursault or a Puligny-Montrachet give an elegant roundness and buttery notes that enhance the delicacy of a saint-pierre or langoustines.
These white wines, made from the Chardonnay, These wines have a remarkable aromatic complexity, with aromas of white fruit (peach, pear), flowers (acacia) and a fine minerality. For simpler dishes such as seafood or steamed fish, an Pouilly-Fuissé with its citrus and floral aromas offers a subtle balance.
Loire white wines: fresh and lively
Le Sauvignon Blanc of the Loire, particularly in the appellations Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, produces lively, fruity wines that are perfect as aperitifs. These wines offer aromas of green apple, citrus, white fruit and gunflint, wrapped in a refreshing acidity.
A Sancerre white is the perfect accompaniment to seafood, oysters as an aperitif, goat's cheeses, etc. and mixed salads. Its subtlety and character will appeal to connoisseurs, while remaining accessible to lovers of refined white wines.
Building up your cellar for a stay in Cannes
To get the most out of your stay in Cannes, we recommend a varied selection of dishes to suit different times of day and types of meal:
- 3 to 4 bottles of Provence rosé for aperitifs and lunches on the terrace
- 2 bottles of white wine (Provence or Burgundy) for seafood and fish
- 1 to 2 bottles of champagne for festive occasions
- 1 to 2 bottles of red wine (Bandol or Bordeaux) for gourmet dinners
La cave 1862 Wines & Spirits offers a rigorous selection of more than 2,000 wines and ensures the home delivery to villas and on yachts on the Côte d'Azur.
We will be happy to advise you and help you set up your cellar, whether for a villa, a yacht or a tailor-made event.
