Five French Rosés You're Going to Love

Ahh, summertime in California. This time of the year is one of the preeminent reasons many of us (myself included) choose to live here. Unfortunately, it is summertime in California, the 2020 version. While we experience this summer, unlike any other, it is important to grasp at a sense of normalcy wherever one can find it.

Lately, for me, that sense of normalcy could be found in an early-evening walk to soak in the last remnants of the day’s warm sun. It might be a phone call with my mother, chatting about what is growing well in her garden, and how she plans to use the produce throughout the season. And it is most definitely sitting down at the end of a hearty shift to a chilled glass of rosé from the south of France.

As the Rhône and French Regional liaison at the Redwood City store, I have been burdened with the heavy task of sampling through some of the 2019 releases from Provence, Languedoc Roussillon, the Rhône, and other neighboring southern France regions that produce rosé. This year, I’m especially impressed with the bottlings hailing from Provence and the Languedoc Roussillon and think the following five wines deserve a special shout out.

CLASSIC PROVENCE, TO START

When conversing about rosé, Provence is one of the most likely winemaking regions to come to mind. Generally, the rosés produced are zippy, crisp, aromatic, and overall pleasing for most wine drinkers’ palates. While the wines produced there do happen to match modern-day drinkers’ preferences, Provençal rosé has by no means been crafted to fit these preferences specifically. The region has had a long history of making wines in this refreshing style, and in fact, the Greeks first planted vines in Provence with the intent to produce rosé-styled wines over 2600 years ago.

Nowadays, Provence rosé is a go-to choice all around the globe, particularly in the US, where 43% is exported as of 2016. We are mega-fans of the stuff here at K&L. We await all spring for the big drops of rosé to land and relish in tasting through them all, but the following three are especially worth giving a try.

2019 Domaine la Colombe Coteaux Varois en Provence Rosé - $13.99

50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon

This gorgeously pale, salmon-hued rosé balances on a tightrope between zesty and elegant. With such a delicate bouquet, I wasn't quite expecting the bursting acidity that greets you upon the first sip. Its refreshing flavor profile of fresh strawberries and lemon and grapefruit zests is a perfect pairing with the comforting heat of this time of the year. Colombe's releases are always a beautiful representation of the region's clay-limestone soils. They are a quick go-to recommendation for those looking for a lighter-leaning rosé that is more refreshing than fruity.

2019 Olema Côtes de Provence Rosé - $15.99

40% Grenache, 40% Cinsault, 15% Syrah, 2.5% Carignan, 2.5% Mourvedre

The 2019 Olema rosé has me dreaming of warm evenings strolling along the sunkissed Mediterranean coast, a beach blanket, and a bottle of wine in my bag. The bouquet is subtle yet intoxicating. Aromas of wild strawberries and a salty, coastal breeze alert my senses and get me lost in that luxurious daydream. The palate is a lot more obvious than the bouquet. It is driven by sweet fruit notes, but is dry and has a medium/full body wrapped up in flavors of lemon and lime zest, ripe cherries, and a crisp minerality. This is one of those rosés that opens up as it warms, so don't be disappointed if a fridge isn't available to keep it cool the whole time. It is a lot less zesty than in previous years, but it is still every bit crisp and refreshing that you would expect from Olema.

2019 Château de Peyrassol "La Croix" Mediteranée Rosé - $13.99

Varietals unknown, but likely a Grenache/Cinsault blend

For those looking for a crisp rosé whose flavor profile is more fruit-forward than zesty, you need look no further. Château de Peyrassol's "La Croix" is a clean, fruity, and pleasing rosé whose perfumey raspberry aromas are a welcome addition to the crisp and steely bottlings traditionally found in the area. While a bit sweetly-fruited, this rosé is nonetheless dry, with a flavor profile of juicy watermelon, red grapefruit, pink lady apple, and rose petals. It has a fuller body than most wines from the region, as well as a calmer acidity. This is a pleasant porch pounder; food is unnecessary, but it could go well with a spread of snappy cheeses and tapenade.

HIGH VALUE IN LANGUEDOC ROUSSILLON

As pleasant and inviting as Provence rosé can be, it is irresponsible to think that rosé preference is a one-size-fits-all situation. We carry many French rosés that hail from winemaking regions that may be less-known for their rosé but are elegant, esoteric, and perfect for the warm season.

One such example is the Languedoc Roussillon, where rosé production has become more popular over the years. In fact, rosé accounts for 12% of all wine produced in the region as of 2016. The Languedoc is ideally situated in southern France along the Mediterranean and is thought to be one of the original regions where vines were planted specifically for winemaking. It is home to a wide variety of terroirs and makes some of the greatest value wines on the market.

Languedoc winemakers produce a wide variety of rosés, some leaning toward the traditional light and aromatic bottlings of southern France and others choosing to delve into heartier, punchier, and fuller styles. All five of the region’s main red varieties are used to produce rosé–Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, and Carignan.

2019 Domaine Begude Pays d'Oc Pinot Noir Rosé - $13.99

100% Pinot Noir

Gazing out among the picturesque foothills of the Pyrénées mountains in Limoux, Domaine Begude is a leading force among Languedoc’s organic wine producers. It makes some of our favorite bang-for-your-buck wines. Their 2019 rosé of 100% organic Pinot Noir was immediately pressed to maintain its delicate coloring, then cool-fermented in stainless steel to preserve the wine’s crisp and fruity characteristics. While very light in aromatics of gardenia and both lime and lemon zests, the flavor profile is filled to the brim with notes of lemon pith, dried mango, and tropical fruit. It finishes fruity and floral.

2019 Château Saint Jacques d'Albas "La Chapelle en Rose" Minervois Rosé - $16.99

50% Grenache, 40% Mourvèdre, and 10% Syrah

This stunning GSM (or in this case, GMS) rosé is intensely aromatic and SO. FRUIT. FORWARD. The directly-pressed fruit comes from a certified organic vineyard that is nestled in the hills behind the dreamscape medieval city of Carcassonne. The juice is then vinified in stainless steel tanks to preserve the purity of fruit and youthful acidity, resulting in an intense fruitiness and expressive bouquet. Aromas of fresh strawberries, rose water, ripe white peaches, and a delicate hint of mint prepare the palate for flavors of overripe grapefruit, bubblegum, and an alluring and long finish that is almost akin to a watermelon/Sandia agua fresca.

There are so many quality rosés coming from the south of France that it can be hard to know which you should buy. If you’re having a hard time deciding, you can always call someone on our talented customer service team for a tailored recommendation. The wines usually are reasonably priced, so don’t be afraid to pick up a flight and try them side by side to see the differences yourself.

Happy sipping!

Lauren Seward