The Wine
Those who clung onto the theory that dry Rose wine was only for summertime enjoyment have mostly succumbed to the weight of evidence from their own palate. These wines are just too good to drink only in the summer months!
Food-friendly, crisp and refreshing, and with moderate alcohol (12%-14%), this particular version even comes in the distinctive bottle shape used by some French Rose producers, nicknamed 'the corset'. But since nobody need squeeze into this version of that old torturous fashion device, what's not to love?!
Aromas and flavors of strawberry, melon, hints of fresh sage and a zingy, citrussy crispness that adds interest to the wine's natural minerality. Pair with fish, seafood, lobster, cheeses and salumi. Drink now through 2024.
The Producer
Established in Vidauban in 1922, in between the two world wars, the Mâitres Vignerons de la Vidaubanaise now control 1,440 acres(!) of vines in the heart of the Côtes de Provence. Such cooperatives produce over 50% of France's total wine production, and they vary in quality from daily plonk to award-winning wines like this one.
Positioned on the limestone foothills between the Mediterranean Sea and the Alpilles, the terroir benefits from a Mediterranean climate that is well-suited to the traditional southern varietals such as Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, Carignan and Rolle (aka Vermentino).
The various vineyard parcels are vinified separately, allowing for more character and complexity. Wines from the Maitres Vignerons annually win numerous awards at competitions such as the Mondial du Rosé and the Concours General Agricole, as well as receiving regular kudos in the Guide Hachette.