Provence
Provence is blessed with a Mediterranean climate of warm summers and mild winters. With an annual average of up to 3,000 hours, excessive sun is a concern although the heat is alleviated by the northerly mistral wind, and the risk of fungal diseases is minimal – which makes the region suitable for organic viticulture. It is predominantly known for its rosé wines, which account for over half of Provençal production and are usually dry.
The Roman poet Martial once condemned the wines of Provence’s capital Marseilles as “terrible poisons, and never sold at a good price”. Fortunately, this harrowing proclamation was born of envy.
Quite how long winemaking has been going on in Provence is a matter of historical debate, but it is thought that it dates back as far as the Greek founding of Massilia (now Marseilles) in 600 BC.
Although Rome tried to curtail the production of wine here so as to favour exports of Italian goods throughout the Empire, soldiers retiring from the legions undermined them by privately continuing to grow grapes in this area of France they called Provincia Nostra (‘our province’).
Like other areas in the Mediterranean, Provence has played host to a series of cultures during its history, and each one has added its own touch to the region’s winemaking, particularly in terms of grape varieties. Simply listing some of the grapes found in the province gives a good idea of this variance, as they include Carignan, Cinsault, Grenache (the most planted), Ugni Blanc, Clairette, the indigenous Calitor, Barbaroux, Rolle (Vermentino) and Sémillon, amongst others.
Provence, to the east of Languedoc-Rousillon,is blessed with a Mediterranean climate, entailing warm summers and mild winters. With an annual average of up to 3,000 hours, excessive sun is a concern for many vines. Fortunately the heat is alleviated by the northerly mistral wind, and the risk of fungal diseases is minimal – which makes Provence suitable for organic viticulture.
The region is predominantly known for its rosé wines, which account for over half of Provençal production and are usually dry. The tiny enclave of Cassis stands out as a predominantly white wine region.
Provence’s Appellations d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) are:
- Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence
- Les Baux-de-Provence
- Coteaux Varois
- Côtes de Provence (the largest appellation)
- Bandol
- Cassis
- Bellet
- Palette
Vin de pays is also produced throughout the region.
Prices:
Bottle
£11.75
Bottle 12 x 75cl 18cs
A blend of Grenache and Cinsault, direct pressed and fermented at relatively low temperatures, this is an archetypal Provence Rosé, a category which is getting more and more popular and in which the spectrum of quality is ever-widening. Mascaronne is right at the top of the pile, quite literally, its stony, photogenic vineyards carved out of the rocks, its fruit cultivated organically and at low yields.
The 2016 vintage enjoyed a benevolent ripening season, even by Provençal standards, and this harmonious backdrop has been expertly captured by our friends at Mascaronne. Cinsault and Grenache are the majority shareholders here, and are perfectly complementary; the first floral and lifted, the second rounded and generous. The wine is a symphony of red fruit and soft spice, its gentle nacreous colour perfectly antithetical to the expressive and joyful fruit basket of the palate.
Bottle
£12.95
Bottle 6 x 75cl 415cs
Magnum
£29.95
Magnum 3 x 150cl 49cs
Chris Lamb - Private Account Manager
I described the 2015 release as ‘dangerously drinkable and probably the perfect Provence rose’ and this continues a theme! Very pale, with wild strawberry and fennel on the nose. Excellent freshness on the palate, with a seam of red fruit and saline tang on the finish. As effortlessly enjoyable as always and sure to become a staple of picnics, BBQs and sunny summer evenings.
Fergus Stewart - Private Account Manager
Bottle
£19.75
Bottle 6 x 75cl 15cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 2cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
This could be the perfect Provencal rosé – the palest pink with aromas of wild strawberries, raspberries and a touch of fennel. Red fruit and citrus on the palate, this is perfectly poised between easy drinking for an aperitif but some structure that would cope admirably with a light lunch. This is dangerously drinkable!
Fergus Stewart, Private Account Manager
The latest Miraval Rosé vintage, 2015 surpasses all others in quality. This rosé wine is genuinely good and worth every penny. Miraval Rosé is the only rosé to have appeared in the Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list of the Best Wines (2013). Jeb Dunnuck of the Wine Advocate called it "a killer rosé.”
Miraval the property and Miraval the wine capture the essence of Provençale charm, the epitome, perhaps, of Matisse’s ‘Luxe, calme et volupté’. The terraced vineyards date from Roman times, as indeed do the surrounding forests, the environment of scrubland (aka garrigue) thyme and olives, providing a most welcome refuge, no doubt, for Hollywood A- listers seeking to brush up their winemaking knowledge. It seems, indeed, that Brad and Angelina are more hands-on than one may have expected, their hands expertly guided around the winery by the Perrin family of Château de Beaucastel fame.
Bottle
£19.75
Chris Pollington - Private Account Manager
Adrian Brice - Fine Wine Buyer, March 2017
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Magnum 3 x 150cl 1cs
D. Magnum 1 x 300cl 1cs
Chris Lamb - Private Account Manager, March 2017
Peter Newton, Private Account Manager
Wine expected for delivery in mid-July. I have been lucky enough to taste every single release from this estate since Sacha Lichine started his spectacular rosé odyssey nearly a decade ago. I am happy to report that as every year passes d’Esclans manages to lead the field and raise the bar in the elite rosé category. I can report that 2013 Garrus is a near perfect wine – I have awarded it 19/20 in my notes! It costs a bomb but if you love serious, uncompromisingly awesome wines, why get hung up on the price tag. Garrus and its extended family of d’Esclans wines, which includes a remarkably competent everyday rosé called Whispering Angel, are the finest rosés on the planet. Garrus sits at the top of the portfolio and it comes from a block of 80 year old Grenache and Rolle vines. Only a handful of barrels are made each year and I urge you to taste this game-changer.
Matthew Jukes
Wine expected for delivery in mid-July.
Matthew Tipping, Fine Wine Sales Manager
Wine expected for delivery in mid-July.
D. Magnum 1 x 300cl 1cs
Mark Pardoe MW - Wine Buyer - Apr 2017