We can’t do a summer wine club without busting out a rosé all-day. Although we have been known to enjoy rosé all year-round, there’s just something that feels so on point to enjoy it at the end of a beautiful summers’ day. You might have heard me, Ellie say before that the Cotes de Provence rosés are the ones that made us fall in love with rosé, the ones that taught us that there was more out there then white zinfandel! This time, we’d like to explore other regions in France that are not particularly known for rosé but produce some darn fine expressions that we are thrilled to share with you. So get ready for some ‘panque!’
Cheers,
P. & E. Mullins
2021 Domaine de Fonsainte Gris de Gris
Languedoc, France
Whenever we open a bottle of this wine we are transported to the coast of Mediterranean. It comes from Corbières in Southern France where there are rugged hillsides, rocky terroir and it is hot and dry above the south coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The vineyards were first planted by the Romans and the original Domaine was built around a thermal spring, which was later named after 12th century patron saint, Saint Siméon, which became its namesake, the saints fountain. Since the 17th century the wine has been made by the Laboucarié’s family and today Bruno Laboucarié continues to carry the torch. Made with a blend of 90% Grenache Gris, 5% Carignan and 5% Mourvèdre, this wine is one of our most favorite ones to reach for time and vintage again. It is a very pale pink hue in the glass. There are wild raspberries and a little wet gravel on the nose. The palate is crisp clean and dry and it finishes with a touch of salinity like a kiss from the Mediterranean Sea on your lips.
2021 Chateau Soucherie Rosé de Loire
Loire, France
We’ve visited Chateau Soucherie in our wine club before, showcasing their legendary Chenin Blanc. It’s history of being imported by Rosenthal dates to 1982. The rosé has a small production and since 2019, it has been all allocated all to the Rosenthal book. On average, just 6000 bottles produced, we’re honored to be carrying it in our wine shop and sharing it with our members. Made of organically farmed 100% Gamay this rosé is made by the classic French “Direct Press” process. That is when the grapes are specifically grown for rosé and crushed whole clusters and then pressed until the juice is the desired color. In the glass this rosé is a pale light peachy pink with beautiful clarity. Coming from the Anjou appellation in the Loire, almost makes itC punny that we pick up Anjou pear aromas on the nose. The palate is inviting, supple and subtle, it has a warmth and openness to it. The body is soft and fresh with a bright backbone of minerality and acidity.
2021 Domaine Dupeuble Rosé
Beaujolais, France
The Dupeuble Domaine is considered one of the most prestigious in Beaujolais with the longest legacy. Founded in 1512, and under the Dupeuble name since 1919. It was in the late 1980s that Kermit Lynch met the current owners’ grandparents at a café in Paris and thus a friendship and importing relationship began. Over the years the property has grown, and the family has become strong advocates of “lute raisonnée” which means ‘the reasoned struggle’ which is to tend the vineyards without the use of chemicals unless they are pushed to intervene for the health of the land itself. The vineyards are fertilized with natural compost and the grapes are harvested by hand. This rosé is made with direct press and fermentation is with natural yeast. The wine is unfiltered and unfined with no added sulphites. In the glass this is a bubblegum plum pink hue. You can see the weight of the wine in your glass. Aromas of cherry slushy hit you on the nose. The palate is complex with savory notes and wet slate, goose berries shine through on the strong finish.
