Nice (06 Aples-Maritimes, Provence PACA) is one of France’s major cities and is a magnet for the rich and glamorous with its Mediterranean beach, lavish hotels and major sea port.

Yet head just a few kilometres north into the hills and you’ll come to the wine producing area of Bellet, although still within the city limits – centred on the Provence wine village of St Roman de Bellet  (06 Alpes-Maritimes, Provence)- although more of a hamlet than a village! These wooded hills  offer stunning views of the Mediterranean – and in the opposite direction of the Provence Alps!

This is one of the smallest wine growing areas in the whole of France  – about 30 hectares on steep slopes producing  less than 100,000 bottles each year – mainly rosé, some red and an even smaller quantity of white wines – mainly from distinctly local grape varieties such as Braquet and Fuella! The red wines are quite powerful, white are aromatic and rosés are fresh – but you will seldom see them beyond Nice! One of the domaines which export their wine is Domaine de la Source available in the UK from Yapp Brothers

So you can enjoy the amenities of a modern city and resort with a visit to an unusual and little known vineyard – just take the No.62 bus from the city centre.

There is naturally plenty of accommodation in Nice, but there are also Hotels, self-catering and B&Bs nearer to the vineyards – such as Villa Kilauea B&B

Nearest airport: Nice Cote d’Azur NCE (12km/8 miles)

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