This month the French #Winophiles are celebrating French Rosé!  I was provided with three sample rosés from Provence by our sponsors the Provence Rosé Group, and  Teuwen Communications.   As always, opinions are my own.

Whenever I think of rosé, the first place I think of is Provence.  That because the rosés of Provence  are the archetype for the perfect sunny-day beverage.

Provence, to me, is the perfect dry rosé. I always think, you combine sun, sand, sea, and summer with the sophisticated bars and restaurants beside the Mediterranean. That, to me, is the image of Provence rosé.  – Roger Voss, European Editor – Wine Enthusiast Magazine

That is so for many reasons.  Let’s begin with history of Provence.

Many believe that Provence is the birthplace of not only rosé wine, but of the French vineyard. Phocaeans from Greece brought wines and vines to southern France around 600 BC.   The wines of the time were made by pressing and processing grapes quickly.  The resulting wines were a pale color.  And those wines were coveted throughout the ancient world ( much like the Provençal rosés of today don’t you think?)

Many a winemaker would tell you that rosé is the most technical wine to produce.  Certainly 2,600 years of experience helps in that regard.  I would also argue that more “intentional” rose is produced in Provence from grapes bespoke for rosé  than anywhere else in the world.

When you consider the region’s great gastronomy (after all wherever you find great food you will find great wine, and vice-versa!) and “Joie de vivre” culture it’s no wonder Provençal rosé has become a lifestyle beverage!

The Wines

We received three wines from the Côtes de Provence AOP, from two producers – Chateau de Berne and Ultimate Provence.  I must say the wines are beautifully packages.   Clearly there’s some marketing capital invested  in the bottles we received.  But that marketing savvy would be for naught if what was in the bottle that didn’t live up to the provenance of Provençal rosé.  Not to worry, what was in the bottle was just as delightful as the packaging!

My tasting notes follow:

2017 Château de Berne Rosé Emotion – France, Provence, Côtes de Provence
Color: Pale pink with golden highlights
Aromas: Wild strawberries, ripe cherries, white flowers with hints of yellow melon, blood orange and pleasing bit of sea breeze
Body: Light-bodied, dry and very fresh
Taste: Strawberries, raspberry, cherry, blood orange, watermelon and spice
Finish: Medium-long

Blend of 50% Grenache Noir, 25% Cinsault, and 25% Syrah. 12.5% abv|SRP – $16.00 (90 pts.)

2017 Ultimate Provence Urban Rosé – France, Provence, Côtes de Provence
Color: Pale pink with golden highlights
Aromas: Cherries, strawberry, baked peach, white flowers, wet stone and peppery spice
Body: Medium-bodied and with good acidity
Taste: Cherries, golden raspberries, peach, ruby grapefruit and nuanced mandarin orange complicated by a bit of spice
Finish: Medium with a pleasant, appetizing bit of tartness

Blend of 45% Grenache Noir, 35% Cinsault, 15% Syrah, and Rolle, all sourced from vineyard blocks planted around the commune of La Garde Freinet, bordering St. Tropez. 13% abv| SRP – $22.99 (88 pts.)

2017 Château de Berne Rosé Inspiration – France, Provence, Côtes de Provence
Color – Pale peach
Aromas – Inviting white peach, strawberry, white flower blossoms with hint of savory dried spice and an ocean breeze
Body – Light-bodied, dry and very fresh
Taste – White peach, strawberry, cherry and raspberry with nuanced citrus, mineral and spice notes.
Finish – Medium finish.

Blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 10% Syrah |12.5% abv|SRP – $19.99 (89 pts.)

Food Pairings

Over the course of a week or so, I paired the wines with a variety of food.  I was impressed with the very food friendly character of these dry and refreshing wines!

Spice Rubbed Tuna Steaks and Stacked Heirloom and Burrata Salad

Dinner tonight is Spice Rubbed Tuna Steaks with Stacked Tomato Burrata Salad (Sir, please step away from the Burrata😂😂😂) and a fabulous rosé from @inspirationrosewine. Took a a bit of chance on this pairing because Tuna is essentially red meat, but the wine found peaceful co-existence with tuna will simultaneously excelling with the Tomato Burrata Salad. A great example of why I ❤️ rosé! . . . #itswhatsfordinner #roseallday #rosealldamnday #pinksociety #drinkpink #yeswayrosé #provence #aopprovence #frenchwine #vinstagram #winophiles #winewriter #enofylzwineblog #eeeeeats #sommstable #sponsored #wineoclock #burrata #fortheloveofburrata

A post shared by martindredmond (@martindredmond) on Jul 15, 2018 at 6:54pm PDT

Tilapia and Summer Squash Tacos and Stacked Heirloom and Burrata Salad

Tilapia and Summer Squash Tacos and Stacked Heirloom Tomato and Burrata Salad is what’s for dinner tonight! Fish Taco recipe courtesy of @cookinglight. We paired it with 2017 @uprosewine Urban Provence Rosé a blend of Grenache Noir, Cinsault, Syrah, and Rolle. The wine was great paired with the Tomato Burrata Salad and surprisingly good with Fish tacos, which had a somewhat spicy kick. Deliciousness all around! . . . #wineophiles #wine #winelover #foodandwine #foodandwinepairing #eeeeeats #sommstable ##provence #roseallday #rosealldamnday #pinksociety #drinkpink #cotesdeprovence

A post shared by martindredmond (@martindredmond) on Jul 14, 2018 at 8:30pm PDT

Ground Turkey and Broccolini Sauté

Ah the beauty of Provençal Rosé! Love the color and the packaging of this @inspirationrosewine. But, of course it’s what is in the bottle that really matters, and this one delivers above its sub $20 price point. It’s a blend of (predominantly) Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah with a dry, refreshing and balanced red fruit character- strawberry, tart cherry, and raspberry, along with peach and nuanced notes of spice, citrus and minerality! Very versatile at the table. Paired with a quick ground turkey, fresh broccolini sauté – a delightful pairing #sponsored . . . #wine #winelover #winophiles #vinsdeprovence #roseallday #rosealldamnday #drinkpink #pinksociety #wineoclock #winewriter #enofylzwineblog #winestagram #vinstagram

A post shared by martindredmond (@martindredmond) on Jul 19, 2018 at 4:11pm PDT

Truth be told, I’ve been buying more California rosé than wines from other countries, including Provence.  That’s mostly because, my wine purchases are driven by a “think global, drink local” aesthetic.  Plus, there is little doubt that California has elevated its wine game including rosé.  Having said that, thinking about the pleasures, value and food friendliness of these wines puts a smile on my face.  It reminded me of why Provence is the benchmark for rosé.  And that make me want to enjoy the pleasure of Provençal rosé more often!

Check out what my fellow French #Winophiles have to share about their French rosé experiences!

• Robin from Crushed Grape Chronicles shares her vision of Côtes de Provence through Rosé Filled Glasses.
• Mardi from Eat Live Travel Write goesFrom Rosé? No Way! To # RoséAllDay
• Camilla from Culinary Adventures with Camilla sharesWarm Weather Rosé and Cheese Pairings.
• Michelle from Rockin’ Red Blog will be Celebrating the Provençal Lifestyle with Three Rosés.
• Lynn from Savor the Harvest cues up Obscure French Rosé Wines – Drink Now
• .Gwendolyn from Wine Predator gives us a two-part treat: #RoséAllDay with Grilled Cheese Gourmet for #Winophiles and It’s Summer! Time for Rosé Wine from Provence, France and Seafood Pasta.
• Nicole from Somm’s Table adds Cooking to the Wine: Ultimate Provence Urban Rosé with Herbed Sous-Vide Chicken Breasts and Roasted Eggplant Sheet Pan.
• Jane from Always Ravenous offers up a Summer Cheese Board with Rosé.
• David from Cooking Chat says it’s Always a Good Time to Sip Provence Rosé. 
• Jill from L’Occasion explains Why Rosé Matters, According to French Culture.
• Liz from What’s In That Bottle advises us to Live a More Rosé Life.
• Payal from Keep the Peas will share Rosé: The Original Red Wine.
• Julia from JuliaConey.com talks about Rosé: Not from Provence but Just as Delicious!
• Wendy from A Day in the Life on the Farm tempts us with Soupe au Pistou Paired with Rosé.
• Lauren from The Swirling Dervish shares Celebrating Our New Home with an Old Favorite: French Rosé.

The French Winophiles are a group of wine-loving foodies who gather (virtually) on the third Saturday of the month to share wine-pairing ideas, travel stories, and tasting notes on a particular theme. New members are always welcome.  If you’re interested in joining us, we’d love to have you. In August we focus on Grower Champagne, and I’ll be your host!

If you’re up early enough, please join our chat at 8am Pacific/11am Eastern by following the #winophiles hashtag.  We hope to “see you” online!

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