Pastis flights at Maison du Pastis Marseille ★ 4.2
20 by the glassVieux-Port (Marseille 2e)
A Vieux-Port specialist with more than 80 pastis bottlings, the canonical place in Marseille to taste the regional aperitif side by side.
The list: A specialist Vieux-Port shop and bar with a roster of more than 80 pastis bottlings from artisanal Provençal distillers, the canonical place to taste the regional aperitif
Tip: Order the comparative three-pastis flight to taste the difference between Henri Bardouin, Ferroni and the local micro-distillers; the local rule is five-to-one cold water.
Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise pours, southern Rhone ★ 4.0
8 by the glassBeaumes-de-Venise (day trip)
The southern Rhone fortified-wine village two appellations north of Provence, with the Maison des Vins as the main tasting access for Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise.
The list: The southern Rhone sweet-Muscat AOC's home village, a 90-minute drive from Aix; cellars and the village Maison des Vins pour Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise as an aperitif and digestif fortified wine
Tip: Pair the Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise tasting with a stop at Gigondas the same day; the two southern Rhone villages sit minutes apart.
Maison des Vins de Bandol oenotheque ★ 4.5
15 by the glassLe Castellet (Bandol)
The Bandol consortium's tasting house at Le Castellet, with comparison flights from across the AOC's 51 producers.
The list: The Bandol consortium's tasting house at Le Castellet pours from the 51 producers of the AOC, the one-stop place to taste a comparison flight from Domaine Tempier, Pibarnon, Bunan, Suffrene, La Begude and Pradeaux in one sitting
Tip: The Castellet oenotheque is the best starting point for any Bandol trip; staff can suggest the producers whose cellars to visit next based on what you respond to in the flight.
Maison des Vins Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence ★ 4.2
14 by the glassAix-en-Provence
The Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence tasting house in central Aix, with a curated flight from the 64 member domaines of the appellation.
The list: The Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence consortium tasting house in central Aix, with a roster of estates pouring rose, red and white from the appellation's 64 member domaines
Tip: Combine the Maison des Vins tasting with a walk along the Cours Mirabeau and an evening dinner in the old quarter; the consortium tasting is the best primer before driving to the domaines.
Maison des Vins Coteaux Varois en Provence (Abbaye de la Celle) ★ 4.3
12 by the glassLa Celle (Provence Verte)
The Coteaux Varois consortium's tasting house at the Abbaye de la Celle, with the appellation's roster across the cloister setting.
The list: The Coteaux Varois consortium's tasting house at the Abbaye de la Celle, with rose, red and white from the appellation's 51 estates pouring against the cloister
Tip: The Abbaye de la Celle restaurant next door (a Relais & Chateaux) is the natural pair for a long afternoon tasting; book lunch ahead.
Maison des Vins Cotes de Provence (Les Arcs) ★ 4.5
18 by the glassLes Arcs-sur-Argens (Cotes de Provence)
The Vins de Provence consortium's flagship tasting house at Les Arcs-sur-Argens, with the broadest curated Cotes de Provence flight in the region.
The list: The Vins de Provence consortium's flagship tasting house at Les Arcs-sur-Argens, with a broad Cotes de Provence selection and a restaurant pairing the local rose roster with regional Provençal cooking
Tip: The Les Arcs Maison des Vins is the single largest Provence wine tasting house; come with at least an hour to spare and the staff will guide a tasting curated to your taste.