Ten Delicious Rosé Wines From Provence

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

Once dismissed as a fad, today the massive relevance of rosé to the global wine category is not doubting. Numerous articles, blogs, and opinion pieces have been dedicated to exploring rosé’s rise to prominence, the celebrity factor, its newfound popularity with men, and and the transformation from summer tipple to year-round indulgence. Yet the most important story is often overlooked – simply the fact that the quality of rosé, particularly from Provence, has never been higher.

“A potent combination of considerable investment, a better understanding of terroir, and new talent have led to this long-overdue revival. Premiumization – that overused word beloved of publicists – nevertheless is an apt summation of what has happened to Provencal rosé. In essence, the price has been growing steadily, but then so, too, has the quality. For this resurgence, we should also partially thank Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, who, in partnership with Chateau Miraval in Provence, rele’sed a ‘Bra’gelina’ Chateau Miraval rosé several years ago – over 6,000 bottles were purchased in the UK alone, all within 5 hours of the wine being released. Increasingly, winemakers are experimenting with fermentation and maturation in barriques (both new and old) to lend their wines structure and texture when s”mple “quaffin” isn’t isn’t enough. Today, moProvence’sence’s wine regions are in the premium rosé business, but none more prominent than Cotes de Provence. The appellation encompasses the northern outskirts of Marseille, the southern flanks of Montagne Ste-Victoire, and warm coastal resorts such as Le Lavandou and St-Tropez. Production has risen dramatically over the past decade to keep pace with unprecedented demand. The excellent red and white wines of this venerable region deserve due recognition. SProvence’sence’s most important and fashionable wine style remains rosé – formerly the butt of jokes, we should add, dismiss”d as “sun-kissed plonk for tourists.””A potent combination of considerable investment, a better understanding of terroir, and new talent have led to this long-overdue revival. Premiumization – that overused word beloved of publicists – nevertheless is an apt summation of what has happened to Provencal rosé. In essence, the price has been growing steadily, but so, has the quality. For this resurgence, we should also partially thank Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, who, in partnership with Chateau Miraval in Provence, released a ‘Brangelina’ Chateau Miraval rosé several years ago – over 6,000 bottles were purchased in the UK alone, all within 5 hours of the wine being released. Increasingly, winemakers are experimenting with fermentation and maturation in barriques (both new and old) to lend their wines structure and texture when simple “quaffing rosé” isn’t enough. Today, most of Provence’s wine regions are in the premium rosé business, but none more prominent than Cotes de Provence. The appellation encompasses the northern outskirts of Marseille, the southern flanks of Montagne Ste-Victoire, and warm coastal resorts such as Le Lavandou and St-Tropez. Production has risen dramatically over the past decade to keep pace with unprecedented demand. The excellent red and white wines of this venerable region deserve due recognition. Still, Provence’s most important and fashionable wine style remains rosé – formerly the butt of jokes, we should add, dismissed as “sun-kissed plonk for tourists.”

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Will the bubble burst? It seems unlikelyrosé’sosé’s populaisn’tisn’t just a fad – on the contrary, it makes perfect sense. Rosé wine is light, refreshing, and extremely moreish, the ideal candidate for matching with any number of dishes. It works as a party aperitif, with salads/seafood, and won’t clash with strongly flavored meat disIt’s It’s the perfect all-rounder and, like our selection below, cannot fail to please everybody:

1. Mas de Cadenet Cotes de Provence Sainte Victoire Rosé

Any wine list should start with quality – Mas de Cadenet has been making superlative rosé for many years now in the most gorgeous backdrop of the Ste Victoire mountain range, close to Aix-en-Provence. Immortalized in landscape paintings by artist Paul Cezanne, the terroir is ideal for growing Grenache Noir, Cinsault, and Syrah to perfection. In balanced proportions, these three grapes are blended to make a structured yet fruit-driven rosé. The balance, freshness, and length of this wine are impressive. One for gastronomy, rather than quaffing!

website: www.masdecadenet.fr

2. Château des Muraires Seduction Cotes de Provence Rosé

Bordeaux wine magnate Bernard Magrez also understands a thing about making light, elegant, aromatic rosé. From his boutique estate in Provence comes one ofregion’sion’s best examples of delicate rosé – the color is pale, the aromas redolent of strawberry and citrus, yet the finish is long and pervasive. An appetizing acidity easily cuts through the summer fruit, leaving a harmonious and balanced rosé that can be enjoyed with food or as an aperitif. A touch of Vermentino complements the classic trio of Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah to add acidity and verve.

3. M de Minuty Rosé

An iconic and timeless facProvence’snce’s increasingly crowded rosé scene, Chateau Minuty is credited with immortalizing the pale style of rosé, which is now favored worldwide. Yet the original – some would say best – a bastion of this style, has not lost ground to newer, trendier rivals. superlative’ tive Minuty’inuty’ rosé seduces you with its light, delicate rose petal, apple, and red cherry aromas. Fresh, elegant, and delicious, one bottle of this fabulous rosé will never be enough.

website: www.minuty.com

4. Chateau D’Esclans Whispering Angel Rosé

The volumes produced at this famous property are considerable – over 3 million bottles – but then, so too is the global fan base. Indeed, Russian investor Sacha Lichine saw a wise investment when he purchased this gorgeous chateau in Provence, relocating from Bordeaux. Today his succulent, structured, and fruit-driven portfolio of rosé wines are adored by a sizable celebrity fan base, with Whispering Angel at the head of the pack. Undoubtedly one of the finest in its class from the beautiful Cotes de Provence region, expect red fruits, almonds, vanilla, and creaminess by the bucket load.

website: esclans.com

5. Mirabeau Pure Provence Rosé

There cannot be a more perfect warm-weather drink than this elegant rosé from superstar producer Mirabeau. Owner Stephen Cronk is a pioneer, having introduced his superlative rosé in a can format in 2018, which has subsequently become a massive hit in the US and UK. 100% Grenache, cultivated at low yields, is responsible rosé’se rosé’s textured mouthfeel, fresh fruit palate, and very zesty acidity. It dazzles with beautifully soft scented strawberry, raspberry, and citrus aromas – so, in other words, utterly divine. Limited production and a global following ensure that each vintage sells out quickly after release.

website: www.mirabeauwine.com

6. Chateau Miraval

The property is famous for its Hollywood owners – now divorced starlets Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie – yet the terroir and wine quality shines through when tasting a bottle of Miraval. Located on the site of a former monastery built in the Middle Ages, Miraval has hosted several celebrity musicians, including Sting, Sade, and Pink Floyd. Despite the upheaval caused by the widely-publicized divorce, Miraval continues to make an excellent rosé with that quintessential pale color, summer fruit-driven palate, and racy acidity. Incorporating expertise from the legendary Perrin family of the Rhone wine region, Miraval is in a class of its own. Believe the hype and ignore the celebrity nonsense – Chateau Miraval is a case of substance over style.

website: www.miraval.com

7. Bastide de la Ciselette, Lou Pigna, Bandol

‘It is in the heart of Bandol, a region famous for its spicy, Mourvedre-based red wines, that one finds an exceptional example of a pale-colored rosé. Purchased in 2010 by winegrower Robert de Salvo, Lou Pigna is both refined and accessible, a rosé that works on any number of levels, including as a delightful aperitif and gastronomic accompaniment. Aromas of strawberry, redcurrant, and tomato leaf fill the glass – the palate is both long and com’lex. The ‘Chateau Margaux’ of Provencal rosé, we could say – supremely classy, elegant, and definitely not disposable summer drinking. In the heart of Bandol, a region famous for its spicy, Mourvedre-based red wines,, one finds an exceptional example of a pale-colored rosé. Purchased in 2010 by winegrower Robert de Salvo, Lou Pigna is both refined and accessible, a rosé that works on any number of levels, including as a delightful aperitif and gastronomic accompaniment. Aromas of strawberry, redcurrant, and tomato leaf fill the glass – the palate is both long and complex. The ‘Chateau Margaux’ of Provencal rosé, is supremely classy, elegant, and definitely not disposable summer drinking.

website: www.bastidedelaciselette.com

8. Domaine de Rimauresq Cru Classe Rosé

Domaine de Rimauresq is a rarity in Provence – a property that received an official classification. The estate was revived in 1882 after the phylloxera louse devastated viticulture across France, subsequently classified along with 13 other produ’ers Classe’ru Classe’ wine. Their rosé remains one of the very best in the Cotes de Provence, a superlative (and varying) blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvedre, Syrah, Carignan, and Vermentino. The winemaker prefers to abstain from a malolactic fermentation most years, ensuring a racy acidity is maintained across the mid-palate. Summer fruits, apple, citrus, and pear drop all vie for attention.

website: www.rimauresq.eu

9. Chateau la Tour de l’Eveque Petale de Rosé

Visitors adore the estate – who could resist a handsome chateau flanked by the Provencal cliché of the forest, garrigue, lavender fields, and rolling hills? Certainly not us, as the property is one of our favorite regional producers. Chateau La Tour is renowned for its terroir’s superior quality and stringent adherence to organic viticulture, receiving official certification in 2005. Only the finest hand-picked grapes make their signature rosé, subject to the gentlest of gentle macerations and relatively prompt bottling to maintain freshness. Yet the wine is not insubstantial, and the creamy, textured mouthfeel supports a divine palate of summer fruits, thyme, and stone fruit—an excellent rosé with an enviable track record for consistent quality.

website: www.toureveque.com

10. Mirabeau La Folie

Our list of Provence’s Provence’sé wines would be incomplete without a sparkling example. La Folie is a relatively recent addition to the Mirabeau portfolio, introduced by owners Stephen and Jenny Cronk in 2017. It is produced using the Charmat method – the secondary fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks, as opposed to the traditional method, which favors undertaking the fermentation in the bottle. The owners initially had reservations, but thankfully, coupling Mirabeau’s Mirabeau’sth the Charmat style has created one of Provence’s Provence’srkling rosés. If you’ll forgyou’lle hyperbole, it is bursting with summer fruit and racy acidity, making it the ideal drink to open in the summer of 2020. An exciting example of what happens when you mix Provencal grapes with new and innovative winemaking ideas. Salud!

website: www.mirabeauwine.com