2024 Coteaux d’Aix en Provence Rose

Domaine de Valdition

Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence is Provence’s second-largest AOC and its most westerly. The appellation is strongly shaped by the Mistral, the northerly wind that helps bring an average of 2,900 hours of sunshine each year. Rainfall is relatively low, at 550–680 mm annually, with most precipitation coming in spring and autumn. The vineyards have a long history, dating back to 600 BC, and their wines were prized by the Royal Courts of Europe as early as the 15th century.

Domaine de Valdition is a family estate in the Alpilles of Provence mountain range, which overlaps with the western edge of the Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence wine region. Their 593 acre property includes vineyards and olive groves, both having been farmed organically since 2006.

Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence’s 2024 vintage was a challenging but ultimately promising vintage. The biggest issue came early. February and March were warm, about 1.5°C above normal, which pushed budbreak roughly 10-15 days early. That meant there was plenty of young, susceptible growth right around when rains arrived. The combination of frequent rain and warm temperatures created the perfect conditions for mildew. Viticultural authorities warned growers to be particularly vigilant because the previous year's crop had left a strong mildew inoculum that survived through the winter. While July and August were also very warm, luckily the weather was dry. Across the region, growers expertly managed the disease pressure and by harvest the grapes were in good condition. Grapes reached exceptional maturity early, with some harvests kicking off as early as late August to preserve high natural acidity and vibrant aromatics

Domaine de Valdition’s 2024 Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence Rosé is a blend of Grenache Noir, Cinsault, Cabernet Sauvignon, Vermentino, and Bourboulenc. The grapes are harvested at night to preserve acidity. At the winery, the grapes are gently pressed, followed by slow fermentation, with the rosé made in stainless steel and concrete vessels.

Tasting Note

Ripe peach and strawberry slide into earthy stone on the nose. Fresh and mouthfilling, with bright acidity and plenty of texture, this is a fruit-forward rosé with serious structure. Stony minerality drives the finish, giving the wine energy and complexity, and making it as much at home with food as it is on its own.

Food Pairing

We love Domaine de Valdition’s 2024 Coteaux d’Aix en Provence Rose with crispy-on-the-outside, pillowy-on-the-inside thick-cut fries with a lemon-garlic aioli. We’ll gladly sit down to this pairing anytime of day. The aioli’s richness gives the wine's mouthfilling texture something to match, while lemon reinforces its bright acidity.