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AOC — PDO — Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
A bluish berry veiled in bloom, crisp to the bite and muscat on the palate — the table grape that bears the name of the Giant of Provence.
Fruit from Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, PDO (AOP) since 1999.
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Muscat de Hambourg, the grape variety at the origin of the appellation, has been established in the Ventoux area since the early 20th century, benefiting from its terroir, its climate, and the savoir-faire of the growers who forged its reputation. In 1960, the first Syndicat de Défense des Raisins de Table du Mont Ventoux was established, helping to promote production under a collective identity, "Les Raisins de Table du Mont Ventoux". In 1984, the "Muscat du Ventoux" table grape brand was created, governed by strict specifications and product quality control.
The renown gained by the brand attracted numerous imitations in the 1990s; to remedy this, the syndicate began exploring the establishment of an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée "Muscat du Ventoux". The application was submitted in 1992, approved by France in 1997, and then by Europe in 1999, thus becoming a PDO (AOP). Since 12 December 2019, the association Fruiventoux has been recognised by the Institut national de l'origine et de la qualité (INAO) as the defence and management organisation (ODG) for the appellation, succeeding the Syndicat de défense des Raisins de Table du Mont Ventoux; since 2022, it has also managed the PGI (IGP) Cerise des coteaux du Ventoux.
The appellation area covers 56 communes in Vaucluse, at the foot of Mont Ventoux, in the Calavon valley and across part of the Luberon. Muscat de Hambourg, the grape variety at the heart of the appellation, accounts for more than half of local table grape production there.
Faced with competition from seedless grapes and with French table grape consumption being only 20% covered by domestic production, the sector also lost around 250 tonnes in sales between 2023 and 2025 as a result of the Agec law, which restricts plastic packaging. At its annual technical meeting in 2026, the ODG Fruiventoux presented several proposed amendments to the specifications: making packaging at origin mandatory for consumer sales, capping yields at 13 tonnes per hectare, and authorising a new trellising method (known as "Gable"), alongside the lyre system already in use.
Aspect
Berry with the bluish colour characteristic of the variety, covered with bloom (a natural waxy coating signalling freshness).
Odeur
Intense, elegant muscat aroma.
Goût
Optimal balance between sugar content and total acidity.
Texture
Crisp, firm flesh.
Muscat de Hambourg is the grape variety at the heart of the appellation: it accounts for more than half of the local table grape production in the area.
staggered from August to October according to the ripeness of the bunches.
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Muscat du Ventoux is enjoyed chilled; its season stretches from the late-summer harvest through to the festive season.
Boissons : Vin doux naturel (muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise), light dry white wine, or simply cool water to preserve its muscat aroma.
Since: 1997
Area covered: 56 communes in Vaucluse, at the foot of Mont Ventoux, in the Calavon valley and across part of the Luberon
Key requirements: Muscat de Hambourg grape variety, the heart of the appellation (more than half of local table grape production); area covering 56 communes in Vaucluse, at the foot of Mont Ventoux, in the Calavon valley and across part of the Luberon; berries with the bluish colour characteristic of the variety, covered with bloom, crisp flesh, intense muscat aroma
Since: 1999
Area covered: 56 communes in Vaucluse, at the foot of Mont Ventoux, in the Calavon valley and across part of the Luberon
Key requirements: European registration of the appellation, confirming the requirements of the national specifications
Specifications amended following approval by the European Commission: notice published in the JORF No. 0150 of 1 July 2014, associated text in the Bulletin officiel du ministère de l'Agriculture No. 27 of 3 July 2014
Syndicate
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