Rosé at another level- the beguiling blush of Bandol.

For the past few years the Rosé Revolution has crashed through to see Australians blissfully embrace rosé wine by the chilled, pink, bucket load.  Even in France, white wine consumption now comes second to rosé and in particular from Provence in the South of France, the traditional home of rosé.

The sunny wine of the South of France and the sunny lifestyle of beach hugging Australians are simpatico. Aussie sun, seafood, BBQ and a crisp refreshing Provençal rosé...can it get much better?

Well, it can! For heightened indulgence, there is the lip-smacking inner sanctum of Provençal wines that come from the Bandol region perched on the glittering Mediterranean coast.

West of Toulon, near the coast east of Marseille and Cassis, the Bandol wine region boasts sun baked, south-facing hills surrounding the fishing village of Bandol. Here the region’s three classic grapes mourvèdre, cinsault and grenache soak up some 320 days of sun a year. 

Mourvèdre (a.k.a mataro or monastrell) is the mainstay grape of Bandol. With the influence of the region’s unique terroir of soil, position and climate, it gives Bandol rosé wines a beguiling and unique texture and depth of flavour. A rosé to contemplate. 

Premium winery, Domaine de Frégate lies between the towns of Bandol and Saint Cyr sur Mer in the hinterland of a cape enjoying views of the Mediterranean.  

While the Frégate label is emblazoned with the image of an historic three masted frigate, the word frégate has its origins in the local dialect for a more agricultural pursuit.  The name comes from the Provençal word fregato which means to break the rocks to allow growth. This is a reference to the local limestone bedrock, whose properties imbue the grapes with the beguiling style and flavour that is typically Bandol. 

Above ground these broken rocks are the basis for the famous Bandol “restanques”, lines of low, dry-stone walls erected by generations of farmers to follow the contours of the terrain to make the challenging steep slopes cultivable land.  Among these distinctive “restanques”, Domaine de Frégate’s vineyards enjoy exposure to the south and west where warm temperatures meet a cool sea breeze. All its wines are produced from the fruit of the Domaine’s own vineyards in clay/limestone soil. 

Domaine de Frégate’s Bandol rosé is salmon pink in colour made of 50% mourvèdre, 25% cinsault and 25% grenache.  It seductively expresses the complex characteristics of the terroir, with a nose of citrus, red fruits and spices, finishing dry with a vein of steely minerality. Once picked (by hand) the grapes undergo direct pressing, remaining on their skins for only a day, before the light pink juices enter the temperature controlled stainless steel fermentation tanks. The  finished rosé is bottled just prior for sale from 1 March, as is the Bandol AOC stipulation.

If you like provençal rosé, this is rosé at another level! 

Bandol’s Domaine de Frégate rosé and a range of Provençal rosés is available in Australia online delivered to your door at www.discovervin.com.au

Domaine de la Croix Rosé - Perfect for Valentine's Day

There's no better match for Valentine's Day than a rosé, writes Jeni Port.
ROSES and rosé get a work out today. There's a good chance you can even match the colour of the flowers with your wine: cerise, cranberry, fuchsia, candy floss, magenta, ruby, damask rose, wild strawberry, pale pink, tea rose, salmon, vermillion. The clear bottle helps but that's where any winemaking assistance to the drinker on this St Valentine's Day begins and ends.
There are a million styles of rose´ from Sahara dry to super sweet and everything between, from lightly frizzante to sparkling, wooded to unwooded, fine in body to full, fruity to funky. But help is at hand to make the road to rose´ and love that little less bumpy.

Pink and dry

Wide ranging in grapes used, don't be perturbed, the result is always the same: dry. The most popular Australian grape for the task is shiraz. Can be fruit-filled but can also be quite savoury (often the result of lees stirring). That copper colour you sometimes see comes from barrel fermentation, an added bonus, providing additional complexity.
Cabernet sauvignon gives structure, firm tannins, restrained fruit flavour. Pinot noir can bring wonderful elegance and dry tannins. Slowly, we are seeing rose´s made from sangiovese, tempranillo and others.
■Domaine de la Croix 2010 Cotes de Provence Rose´ (France, $25)
From Saint-Tropez, a sunny, super-dry rose´ with the scent of Provencal herbs and earth. Lip smackingly tasty … with chilli prawns.


Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/restaurants-and-bars/cupids-vintage-20120211-1svp9.html#ixzz1mKntkCIM

Irresistible Reviews

Described as the wine of the night at the "Swirl, Sniff & Spit" Rosé tasting in Brisbane in January, the Irresistible Rose from Domaine de la Croix continues to generate positive reviews.

Sean Mitchell from The Grape Observer gave it 82 points.

Domaine de la Croix Rosé 2010

I have tasted my share of Cotes de Provence rosé while in France, and I have seen a few now starting to creep onto the shelves in Australia.  The continuing increase in the variety of wines available in Australia can only be applauded by the consumer.  In many ways, this is a very typical Cotes de Provence rosé.  It is designed to be drunk, without any particular pontification.  Its characters are typical for the region, with its salmon pink colour and a light aroma of citrus and a touch of minerality.  The palate is dry, and a lemony expression of rosé with only medium acidity loosely holding its frame together, and some chalky but neutral texture.  A typical example of this style of rosé.  82 points


Abv: 12.5%
Price: $20 (500ml)
Source: sample
Website: http://www.discovervin.com.au/ (importer)
Tasted: January 2012 

The Irresistible also featured in the Food and Wine Section, Zest Bites of The Illawarra Mercury of Wednesday February 1st, 2012.

Its Irrésistible! Domaine de la Croix Rosé

DiscoverVin introduces a Cru Classé Rosé

from Provence

 

Domaine de la Croix, IrrésistibleRosé, 2010

The name says it all.  Irresistible!  An irresistible rosé from Provence, the home of rosé. 

The Wine

An irresistible blend of Cinsaut (40%), Shiraz (30%) and Grenache (30%). The pearl pink colour of the wine is the natural colour of the juice, with extra depth provide through a brief period of skin contact or maceration.

Provence sets the benchmark for the light dry textural style of Rosé that has always been popular in France and has become a recent trend here in Australia. In Côtes de Provence at least 20% of the wine must be saigneé, which means “bled”. After crushing, the free-run juice is run off after a short prefermentation maceration, producing a pale pink wine.

Our Tasting Notes

The bottle makes a statement on any table

Pale pink, elegant nose with citrus fruits aromas. Supple and fruity, with a soft and silky "finale". Perfect summer wine! The magnum will make a statement on any summer table!

Online Prices: 

500ml, $19.90

750ml $25.00

1500ml $55.00

Alcohol content: 13.00 % VOL

The Producer

Domaine de La Croix, created in 1882, is situated near the village of La Croix Valmer with an outlook to the beaches of St Tropez. It has the classification of Cru Classé. The slatey and sandy soils of the hillside vineyard, contribute to the unique terroir for this irrésistible Rosé.

Very few Provençal producers are given the Cru Classé classification, denoting an exceptional winery.

Here is some more detailed information from the producer:

The property:  The Bolloré group purchased the domaine in 2001 and has since been restructuring it to recover the excellence of this terroir, which was singled out as an exceptional, classified growth area in 1955. Authentic quality: The winemaking process from the vine to the cellar is highly controlled to keep the grapes in perfect condition. Grape varieties have been selected based on soil studies, and the uniqueness of the terroir has attracted great names like renowned winemaker Michel Rolland, who serves as consultant. Respect for the environment: To preserve this splendid site – a natural habitat for mimosa trees, maritime pines, and eucalyptus – Domaine de La Croix uses traditional methods for sustainable wine growing: maintenance of the grounds by ploughs, organic fertilization, and preservation of the groves to limit erosion. Unique terroir: Thanks to its special climate with maritime air, the domaine’s vines are varied and are typical of the Côtes de Provence region. Plots with surface soils composed of friable schist with weak water reserves, are planted in black Grenache or Cinsault. Deeper, stony ground is perfect for Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvèdre, and Tibouren, whose quality is enhanced by maritime influences. A promising future: Improvements made in this decade – new plantings with strong densities, trellising, and short cane pruning – assure high quality and concentrated wines. A new underground cellar is also being built, providing up-to-date equipment, a tasting room, and a wine shop. Oenologist Michel Rolland is present at the time of planting and harvest, closely following the vinification process and validating the assemblage of various blends. He recognizes the uniqueness and exceptional quality of the wines produced by the Domaine de La Croix.

 

“Once you have tasted Rosé you will never go back”

Leeanne De Bortoli

founder of the Rosé Revolution