Few wines have exploded in popularity in recent years like Provence rosé. The success, in part, may be due to timely celebrity wines like Miraval, the partnership that originally started with Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, and Famille Perrin. Then the bros jumped on board, giving way to my favourite named wine trend: brosé. Over that time, the branding and packaging continued – and continues – to get better, taking inspiration from the spirits industry.
Now it seems like every non-Provence winery has followed suit, chasing less and less colour. Provence rosé is about much more than the colour, though, which is why it's so difficult to emulate. It's about the right grape varieties. Rhone varieties like Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre work well because they balance lip-smacking fruit with savoury complexity, making them far from simple. They can also be picked early to retain freshness, without offputting pyrazine notes, as you can find with Cabernet.
It's about the right winemaking techniques, too. And, no, it's not just short skin contact. Juice stabulation allows rosé winemakers to get more flavour, while keeping the wines pale and light.
It hasn't been all rose-coloured for Provence, though. (Pun intended.) In some cases, quality has suffered to meet demand. I recommend buying selectively, trusting producers who have stayed the course.
Domaine De Rimauresq is one example. In 1955, only 23 Provençal estates earned the rank of Cru Classé, or “classified growth,” including Rimauresq. Today, the vines average 40-years-old, with the oldest plantings dating to 1930, and the property became certified organic in 2020.
-GM
Tasting Note
This rosé gets its proper Provençal colour from three hours of skin contact before being lightly pressed. Led by Grenache (46%), the blend also includes Cinsault, Rolle, Syrah, Mourvedre, Tibouren, and Carignan. It shows delicate wild red berries and white peach along with orange blossom, spice, and an underlying current of chalk. It's seamless, elegant, and mineral-driven, with fruit that is vibrant and crisp.
Food Pairing
Niçoise salad