Provence, region with considerable potential in the far south east of France (see map under france) whose associations with tourism and hedonism have perhaps focused too much attention on its relatively expensive rosés.
The precise period during which viticulture was introduced to the region is disputed. Certainly it appears unlikely that the Phocaeans, Greeks from Asia Minor, found vines when they founded Massilia (Marseilles) in about 600 bc. It is likely, however, that the Provincia of Ancient gaul produced its own wines under the influence of classical rome (although it is not certain that it preceded Narbo, or Narbonne, in the languedoc as a wine producer). See france for more details.
