Parade of Provençal Rosés
It’s hard to think of a better way to spend a hot holiday weekend than with some fresh and vibrant rosés! The 2023 vintage in Provence is outstanding and many of our favorites have landed. This list represents some of the best QPR drinking when it comes to classic southern French pink wines, and all of these punch well above their price point. Because we work aggressively with our suppliers, we have classic wines from Provence for a fraction of what you would find elsewhere. Thankfully it’s a long weekend, so plenty of time to try a smattering of any of these gems. Santé!
2023 Château Revelette Coteaux d'Aix en Provence Rosé $17.99 Peter Fischer is one of the most fun winemakers I have ever had a chance to hang with. He speaks multiple languages, plays different musical instruments, and tells fun, raucous stories. We started working with him just a few years ago, and our focus has been on this delightfully fresh and exotic rosé. They hand harvest their fruit (a rarity in Provence) from his vineyards north of the Montagne Ste-Victoire; everything is farmed organically. The wine is composed of mostly Grenache with a splash each of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, and Carignan. This special rosé has flavors of Red Delicious apple, lemon peel, wet stone, and wild thyme.
2023 Commanderie de la Bargemone Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence Rosé $16.99 92VN Always one of our best sellers and a dynamite glass of wine, the Commanderie has undergone a slight package change this year. The winery finished their organic certification in 2022 and launched new labels to celebrate. It is now known (on the label at least) as La Bargemone, but it is still the same great drink we have been enjoying for over a decade. Fresh flavors of stone fruit–like nectarine and white peach, this is lively and straight crushable. It’s an immediate crowd pleaser and “commands” your attention!
2023 Domaine la Chapelle Saint Victor Coteaux d'Aix en Provence Rosé $14.99 The Chapelle Saint Victor never disappoints for those who like the more mineral edge of a good Provencal rosé. The particular plot where the fruit is grown has been owned by the Lefèvre family for over 20 years and has been organically farmed for most of that time. This blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, and 20% Syrah is farmed on the southern slopes of the Costes Lambesc mountain range on sandy-loam soils. It always has that crystalline mineral quality with lovely tension and texture. Less overt and more finesse for you fans of elegant rosé!
2023 Domaine la Colombe Coteaux Varois en Provence Rosé $13.99 Easily our most popular rosé year-after-year, the Colombe has what you need, when you need it. Fresh fruit, check! Bright acidity, check! A quaffable character that makes you come back to the glass for more, check and check!! The Colombe has lifted flavors of strawberry, freshly cut watermelon, a hint of fresh thyme, and a crisp mineral finish. Dare I say... summer in a glass!