With wines available at the LCBO that will take across Provence, from west to east in the glass.
Synonymous with Rosé wines, Provence is the region to buy fabulous Rosés all year. However, these wines have a special place in the wine-lover lexicon once the seasons begin to roll over and summer seems just around the corner. Who doesn’t love a glass of Rosé paired with good company, delicious food and sunshine? Fill our glasses!
Made For Going All-In On Rosé
Provence is a megastar for all things pink wine. This southern French wine region is the number one wine region for Rosé in the country, making up just over 4% of all Rosé wine in the world. A combination of great terroir and centuries of winemaking has made the region the top place for Rosé. A beautiful and picturesque wine region, Provence is located in the southeast of France. Renowned for its stunning landscapes and rich winemaking heritage, the area has produced wine for over 2,600 years, and Rosé has been at the heart of that journey. Rosé is the oldest known winemaking practice in the world, making Provence one of the oldest wine regions in France. Nestled between the Mediterranean Sea and the Alps, Provence benefits from a unique terroir that contributes to the distinctive characteristics of its wines, which has extended from the time of the Ancient Greeks to the present day.
The winemaking process in Provence emphasizes the preservation of freshness and fruitiness. The grapes are carefully harvested and quickly pressed to extract only a limited amount of colour from the skins. This short maceration period gives Provence Rosés their characteristic light and elegant style. But not all Provence wines are the same. With every wine, you will experience wines ranging in colours from Peach, Melon, or Mango-toned Rosés to wines that are hues of Pomelo, Mandarin or Redcurrant coloured. This is because the larger Provence region comprises three main wine-producing areas and subsequent subregions that create a patchwork of terroir to show off in the glass. From the Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, Coteaux Varois en Provence, and Côtes de Provence, each region presents a different side of the world of pink wine.
Experiencing the Côtes de Provence
The largest appellation or AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) of Provence, the Côtes de Provence is a sprawling winemaking area covering over 20,000 hectares (nearly 50,000 acres). Terroir varies within the region, with shifts in altitude, soil, and rainfall. Vineyards situated farther inland experience cooler temperatures and a terrain of alternating hills and limestone ridges sculpted by erosion. At the same time, the coastal sites have warmer weather and are affected by the Maures and Tanneron Mountain Ranges. The western side of the AOC, further inland, has calcareous soils, making for bold-flavoured and zesty wines. While closer to the sea, in the east, the soils are more crystalline, volcanic soils that convey grit and power in the wines made there. Throughout the Côtes de Provence, you will find wild shrubs and green herbs growing there that affect the aromas of the wines produced in the region. However, these plants also offer clues to the soil and wine flavour. With Garrigue, a mix of lavender, juniper, thyme, rosemary and sage, most commonly growing on Calcareous soils and Maquis, densely packed shrubs and evergreen trees, growing on the crystalline soils.
Being as big as it is, the Côtes de Provence is also home to five terroir designations: Côtes de Provence Sainte-Victoire, Côtes de Provence Fréjus, Côtes de Provence La Londe, Côtes de Provence Pierrefeu, and Côtes de Provence Notre-Dame des Anges. Each terroir designation highlights the diversity of terroir in the Côtes de Provence. Yes, you can taste this range of expression in the wines themselves.
From the Côtes de Provence Sainte-Victoire subregion, the Château des Ferrages Mon Plaisir Sainte-Victoire Rosé 2021 communicates a sense of place that is mountainous and heavily affected by the strong Mistral wind, resulting in an elegant Rosé with subtle flavours. A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Rolle (Vermentino), this pomelo-toned wine is filled with soft red fruit notes of strawberry and tart red currant, peach, grapefruit, white flowers and touches of hawthorn and garrigue. Fresh and smooth on the palate, this wine has a bright finish and an ethereal structure. A pleasure (Mon Plaisir) in the glass, as the label states.
Westbound to Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence
The famous Mistral winds of southern France heavily influence the vineyards of Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence. Extending from the Durance River to the Mediterranean Sea, northward toward the Rhône Valley, and west till the Sainte-Victoire Mountains, this region is influenced by a sea-side vibe. A patchwork of soils from stony clay to sandy and even calcareous and loam, the biggest thing to know about the Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence is that it is a very sunny place, receiving an average of 2,900 hours of sunshine annually. Coupled with very little rainfall, the wines of Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence are known for being very aromatic, with high aroma concentrations in the glass. They smell amazing and have such a definition of aroma character, so much so that you can pick out every fragrance easily.
The Hecht & Bannier Coteaux d’Aix en Provence Rosé 2021 is a testament to that! This wine is crafted from grapes grown on a limestone plateau stretching from the north of the city up to the River Durance in the upper area of Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence. This melon-hued blend of Grenache and Cinsault. Coming from higher altitude vines on limestone slopes makes for a concentrated, zesty, refreshing wine. Filled with aroma notes of freshly picked peaches, white strawberries, cherry blossom flowers, and soft herbal notes of tarragon, lime balm flower, and bergamot orange zest. These complex aromas are complemented by a palate that is spiced with light ginger notes, vibrant acidity, expressive mineral notes and a captivating finish.
In the Heart of Provence with the Coteaux Varois en Provence
Called the heart of Provence, the Coteaux Varois de Provence is found between the more prominent regions of Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence and Côtes de Provence in the region’s center. There is a multitude of meso-climate in the Coteaux Varois en Provence throughout the region’s undulating limestone mountain ranges. Grapes here grow at a higher altitude or around 350 meters to as high as 500 meters above sea level. And the mountains make their presence known. To the west, you will find the Sainte-Baume. To the north, the Bessillons. And in the south, the Barres de Cuers. These provide a natural barrier from the maritime influences on the region, making this area a bit more continental. The mountains and the soil characteristic of the Coteaux Varois also bring in volcanic touches and a mix of soil types that create complexity in the wines here. Coteaux Varois en Provence‘s wines are filled with great acidity and brightness, with complex flavours and structure.
From the Estandon Coopérative en Provence, the Terres de Saint-Louis Coteaux-Varois-en-Provence Rosé 2021 is an excellent example of what the AOC of Coteaux Varois en Provence can display in the glass. A blend of Cinsault, Grenache, and Syrah, the grapes that make up this wine are all from high-elevation vineyards. Harvested at night to keep freshness and crafted as a softly peach-tones wine, this wine will draw you to the glass. It displays aromas with melon citrus, strawberry, raspberry, watermelon, grapefruit, almond, lavender and soft herbal garrigue notes. On the palate, the wine is zesty and fresh, is a bright finish and bold mineral notes.
Made to be Paired and Enjoyed
Provence Rosés are excellent for outdoor gatherings, picnics, and leisurely afternoons in the sun. They are versatile wines that pair beautifully with various dishes, including grilled seafood, light salads, Mediterranean cuisine, and spicy Asian or Mexican flavours. The refreshing acidity and fruit-forward profile of Provence Rosés complement and enhance the flavours of various cuisines, making them a go-to option for wine enthusiasts.
You can dive into many pairings with these three wines currently on LCBO shelves. Try the Château des Ferrages Mon Plaisir Sainte-Victoire Rosé 2021 with seafood risotto or paella. Or go for a bottle of Hecht & Bannier Coteaux d’Aix en Provence Rosé 2021 with classic grilled Provencial anchovies or delicious Caribbean fried slat fish. And open a bottle of Terres de Saint-Louis Coteaux-Varois-en-Provence Rosé 2021 with a bowl of Bouillabaisse or with some Galayet Banadoura; it is an excellent match for this complex wine.