There are those consumers who are hopefully devoted to the charms of red wine. I can’t blame them because me as well fall under the spell of a spicy Grenache or a robust Cabernet. However, each wine has its place for every occasion, mood or temperature.
As the mercury finally starts to rise, all that my heart desires is to sip wine and eat food outside. The sun and the blue clear sky makes me long for salads and delicious poultry, seafood and seafood dishes on the grill. Why the feeling?. Perhaps is the nostalgia of summer in Italy, Spain or my childhood in Venezuela. Anyways, from now to late September, I will be sipping whites and aromatic roses mostly. The reds still have their place at my table but they act more alike as secondary characters in the great gastronomical movie of my table.
Luckily for me, my favourite French regions have a stellar repertoire of whites and roses. These two key regions being the Rhone and Provence. Don’t get me wrong, I can appreciate good Burgundy or a Loire but nothings sets my heart on fire than a racy Roussanne /Marsanne or a crisp Vermentino.
My heart is big for the roses wines of the Rhone and Provence. I can base a whole gastronomical home meal on an opulent Tavel or the gentle bite of a Provencal Mourvedre rose. When I think of those regions all that comes to mind is the suite of ten pieces pictures at an Exhibition by Mussorgsky. The wines have common characteristics but yet idiosyncratic in their own way.
My greatest contribution to these pages will always be to share the wines that my make soul sparkle. The act of not doing so will be a symbol of great negligence to wine. After all that’s what wine is all about: to ignite passions:
Wine recommendations in white and rose from my favourite French regions available now at your nearest SAQ:
Ch̢teau Pesquie Terrasses blanc 2017 РSAQ # 13945265 $19.05
( white)-sample by the importer
A seducing nose bringing to mind bright undertones of verbena, lemon meyer, apricot and honey. Fresh and round with a creamy mouthfeel and a smooth acidity,
Domaine de Grangeneuve Les Dames Blanches du Sud 2016 – SAQ # 13945142 $20.40
( white)-sample by the importer
Honey dew melon, aniseed with lots of white peach character. Round, almost waxy with almost paste cream flavours and a crisp herbal finale.
Reserve des Chastelles Tavel 2017 – SAQ # 13593263 $19.95
( rose)-Tasted at A3 Quebec portfolio tasting
Interest nose reminiscent of camphor, autumn leaves,with dry cherry character. This is quite good. Round and meaty with lots of character. Beautiful long spicy finale.
Domaine du Vieil Aven Tavel 2018 – SAQ # 640193 $18.70
( rose)-Tasted at A3 Quebec portfolio tasting
The bouquet is quite savoury bringing to mind red and black field berries with mint and liquorice sorbet. On the palate, elegant and quite crisp. Rich medium length finale .
Domaine de la Begude Bandol L’Irreductible 2016 – SAQ Signature # 13622571 $38.50
( rose)-Tasted in a producer event
Complex and quite exuberant nose. Madagascar vanilla bean, seaweed with shiitake mushrooms and miso. On the palate, flinty with very delicate notes of raspberry granita laced with violets and watermelon rind. Very fresh with an amazing amplitude in the finale.
Petale de Rose 2018 Regine Sumeire Côtes de Provence SAQ # 00425496, $20.60 ( rose)-Sample by the importer
Marvellous aromas of red orange, tangerine with touches of rhubarb, lavender and dried rose petals. On the palate, it is elegant and refined with a terrific mouthfeel and long flowery finale.
Coming soon in June at your nearest SAQ
Ch̢teau Pesquie Terrasses rose Ventoux 2018 РSAQ # 1369028 $18.45 ( rose)-Tasted at the importer office
Delicious nose reminiscent of garrique, raspberry sorbet, strawberries. All the goodness of the Rhone. Earthy and quite digest. Very gastronomical with lots of quality for that prize. Just an amazing rose.
Domaine de Beaurenard BiotifulFOX 2018 – SAQ # 13711274 $20.95 ( rose)-Tasted at the importer office
Fieldberry yogurt with a touch of dry indian spices and peach cream as well. On the palate flavours bringing to mind ground cherries in sauce. Dry and crisp. Very interesting rose, it could be mistaken for a white. Amazing value to have in your summer stock wine cabinet.
