The Côtes de Provence rosé has built its reputation around the world thanks to its high quality, beautiful pale pink colour and its tangy and fruity aromas. The AOC Côtes de Provence wine region offers us the best grapes to produce gourmet rosé wines that will be at your table from aperitif to dessert.
Find out more about Provence rosé wine.
What does the Côtes de Provence rosé appellation mean?
Côtes de Provence is a controlled designation of origin (AOC) wine from France and is produced, in large part in the Provencal (particularly Var) vineyards.
The Côtes de Provence rosé challenges with its delicate nose, its distinct and clear flavours. The wine is full with notes of red fruits (currant, strawberry and raspberry), black fruits (blackcurrant and blackberry), its spicy aromas (thyme, bay leaf, garrigue), its vegetal notes (anise and fennel), and mineral, without forgetting its light colour. On the palate, it reveals all its finesse, a generous body, a fine structure, and offers a nice balance. It is consumed around 10°C. Côtes de Provence rosé is generally drunk young.
Is the Côtes de Provence rosé a good wine to offer?
Are you invited to a lunch by the pool and you don't know what type of wine to bring? A Côtes de Provence rosé is as synonymous with convivality as with romanticism. Its the perfect wine for many situations, and can be paired perfectly with food from starters to desserts.
How to taste a rosé wine?
In the process of tasting rosé wine, as with red and white wines, you must always start by swirling the wine in the glass, before observing it. Indeed, the visual is as important as the smell and taste; it allows you to appreciate the brilliance, the palette of colours and the clarity of the wine. These elements provide you with essential information about the rosé wine you are tasting, such as its age, the dominant grape variety, or the vinification method.
The first nose consists of smelling the wine at rest, without shaking it, to discover the most discreet aromas. The second nose follows and consists of swirling the rosé wine in the glass to release the aromas and concentrate them.
Next, it's time to taste, with three essential stages: the front which determines whether the wine is lively, balanced, or powerful; the mid-palate which aims to evaluate the sensations felt on the tongue, then by retro-olfaction, the finish, which determines the wine's length.
What is the difference between organic and non-organic rosé wine?
A conventional wine, what is it?
It is a wine whose cultivation and vinification do not respect the principles of organic or biodynamic agriculture.
What products are authorised for the cultivation of the vine for a conventional wine?
All synthetic chemicals are allowed in agriculture.
What is the quantity of Sulphites authorised for a conventional wine?
A rosé wine can contain up to 200 mg/l of sulphites.
What is an Organic Wine?
It is a wine produced agriculture and vinification that does not use synthetic chemicals.
What products are authorised for the cultivation of the vine of an organic wine?
The use of chemicals of natural origin is authorised, with some exceptions in synthetic products, such as slaked lime, paraffin oil and copper compounds.
What is the quantity of Sulphites authorized for organic wine?
A rosé wine can contain up to 150 mg/l of sulphites.
Why does wine contain sulphites?
Wine naturally contains sulphites; sulphites can be added with the intention to counteract the harmful effects of oxygen on wine. Sulphites have antioxidant and antiseptic effects.
Are your rosé wines environmentally friendly?
For many years, our environmental commitment has been one of our greatest ambitions. Our certification in organic farming positions us as a sustainable and committed vineyard, with High Environmental Value (HVE).
What grape varieties are used for rosé wine from Provence?
There are seven main grape varieties in Côtes de Provence rosés: Syrah Noir, Grenache Noir, Cinsault, Cabernet-Sauvignon, Carignan, Mourvèdre and Merlot.
What food and rosé wine pairings would you recommend?
● Barbecues:
The Côte de Provence rosé, made from Grenache, Syrah or Cinsault grapes, is powerful and perfectly brings out the flavours of grilled beef. The rosé wine will keep its flavour despite the pronounced taste of red meat.
● Seafood:
The AOC Côtes de Provence rosé, with its aromas of white flowers and its beautiful freshness, reveals all the flavours within seafood.
How long can you keep rosé wine from Provence?
Nowadays, rosé wine can be laid down and as with red or white wines, some rosés can be kept for longer periods of time. The aging time will depend on the vintage, the geographical origin, the grape variety and the vinification, etc. Overall, rosé wines made from bleeding or maceration are more suitable for aging and can be consumed after 2 to 5 years of cellaring.
What are the best vintages of Côtes de Provence rosé?
The great vintages are 2017, 2020, and 2021 are renowned; the 2018 and 2019 vintages are also of a good quality.
