“In this series we bring you our #FavouriteThings Holiday Gift Suggestions which we personally recommend”
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could escape from the everyday and slip into a place that brings us joy and happiness! Our Favourite Things suggestions today are unique and we encourage you to embrace the diversity of Provence wines rosés while you celebrate the holidays.
Rosé is the perfect balance for the richness of the foods we will be enjoying through the holidays. Think aperitif with a satisfying freshness. Rosé wines are truly meant to be enjoyed throughout the year and make the best pairings with holiday fare, and as we move all too soon into January their lightness mellows matches our mood.
CHÂTEAU DE L’ESCARELLE
2021 COTEAUX VAROIS EN PROVENCE
For those who like a delicate and precise style with a salty tang, CHÂTEAU DE L’ESCARELLE 2021 COTEAUX VAROIS EN PROVENCE is an excellent choice. We owe its finesse to the fresh and calcareous terroir of Coteaux Varois en Provence.
This classic blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah has a fine balance between elegance and energy. It’s long and juicy, with blood orange, red berry, lifted floral notes, Provençal herbs, and a touch of spice on the close.
Absolutely delicious with a tuna poke bowl or try it with a sashimi-tuna salad.
$18.95 available at the LCBO
ESTANDON VIGNERONS TERRES DE SAINT-LOUIS
2021 COTEAUX VAROIS EN PROVENCE
Just as elegant with subtle notes of cranberries, orange peel and grapefruit, the ESTANDON VIGNERONS TERRES DE SAINT-LOUIS
2021 COTEAUX VAROIS EN PROVENCE enliven the taste buds and provide a great pairing with salmon gravlax served on a blini with fresh cream.
Pale salmon pink colour; delicate strawberry, cherry and watermelon aromas with a gentle yeasty note; extra dry and fruity with berry, melon and herbs flavours.
$13.90 available at the LCBO
LES MAÎTRES VIGNERONS DE LA PRESQU’ÎLE DE SAINT- TROPEZ CARTE NOIRE
2021 CÔTES DE PROVENCE
Expressive with a generous fruity profile yet still delicate, the LES MAÎTRES VIGNERONS DE LA PRESQU’ÎLE DE SAINT- TROPEZ CARTE NOIRE 2021 CÔTES DE PROVENCE will please the loved one when served with arctic char prepared in the oven.
This blend of Grenache and Cinsault has long been a customer favourite, beloved for its bright personality and its floral, ripe red berry, fresh grass and Provençal garrigue tones. A delightful sipper that pairs beautifully with smoked salmon.
$19.95 available at the LCBO
GOLD 2021 CÔTES DE PROVENCE
Structured with a slight iodine touch and a chalky texture, GOLD 2021 CÔTES DE PROVENCE is a natural with caponata or sea urchins.
The Grenache and Cinsault for this rosé come from the Golden Triangle: three areas (Cuers, Pierrefeu and Puget-Ville) located at the foot of the Massif des Maures. The wine has all the aromatic character, elegance, bright fruit and balance one expects from the Côtes de Provence. A treat perfect for sipping with salmon or charcuterie.
$23.95 available at the LCBO
HECHT & BANNIER
2021 COTEAUX D’AIX-EN-PROVENCE
HECHT & BANNIER 2021 COTEAUX D’AIX-EN-PROVENCE distinguishes itself by its generous notes of white peaches, orange and grapefruit which mingle with mineral notes. Ideal for ham cooked with pineapple or an orange duck.
With grapes grown in the limestone soil of the Aix-en-Provence vineyards, the wine is lightly mineral and well textured. Its red fruits and touches of pepper are balanced by the freshness of this rounded wine. Drink from late 2022. Editors’ Choice. Score – 91. (Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, Aug. 1, 2022)
$23.95 available at the LCBO
CHÂTEAU PIGOUDET CLASSIC
2021 COTEAUX D’AIX-EN-PROVENCE
The structure of CHÂTEAU PIGOUDET CLASSIC 2021 COTEAUX D’AIX-EN-PROVENCE makes it perfect to accompany steak tartare.
This wine comes from a vineyard planted on a gentle south-facing slope in the northernmost part of the Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, with gravelly soils featuring a complex mix of chalk and clay. The area is noted for the elegance and freshness of the wines it produces, and this is a fine example. It’s brightly flavoured, with lifted floral tones, apple, peach, citrus, mineral and spice. For sipping or seafood.
$25.95 available at the LCBO
CHÂTEAU DES FERRAGES
2021 MON PLAISIR CÔTES DE PROVENCE SAINTE-VICTOIRE
Finally, the generous charming notes of wild strawberries found in the CHÂTEAU DES FERRAGES 2021 MON PLAISIR CÔTES DE PROVENCE SAINTE-VICTOIRE shines just as much with turkey served during the holidays as it does with a pissaladière.
The Château des Ferrages domaine is in Pourcieux, halfway between Aix-en-Provence and Saint-Maximin, where relatively cool temperatures make for bright, crisp wines such as this. Look for notions of strawberry, orange zest, peach and mineral and sip with white-bean burgers or grilled salmon.
$24.95 available at the LCBO
WINES OF PROVENCE ROSÉS,
A WAY
OF LIFE
Provence is the quintessence of elegant and fine qualitative rosés. A pioneer in this style of wine, the region became a world leader, and its Provençal touch is an unmatched reference.
EQUALLY FESTIVE AS IT IS GASTRONOMIC, THE WINES OF PROVENCE OFFER A WIDE A SPECTRUM OF AROMAS AND STYLE WHICH MAKE THEM INIMITABLE. THIS ALLOWS THEM TO BE VERSATILE AND GIVE US NUMEROUS REASONS TO ENJOY THEM ALL YEAR ROUND!
GASTRONOMIC RENDEZ-VOUS
THE WINES OF PROVENCE PARTICULARLY SHINE AT THE TABLE. WHILE THEY ARE ENJOYABLE ALONE,
THEY’RE WITHOUT A DOUBT MEANT TO ENJOY WITH GASTRONOMY.
WINES OF PROVENCE ROSÉS
The terroir is rich and diversified which allows Provence to produce a spectrum of wines with multiple nuances. Côtes de Provence, Coteaux Varois en Provence and Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence are the three Protected Denomination of Origin, each offering a unique signature representing the geographic sites and the mosaic of soils that we find. The diversity of terroir, the multiple microclimates as well and the range of grape varieties allow producers to use their knowledge to craft complex wines. The fruity profile with nuances that varies according to the terroir, the minerality always present, the bright acidity and the long finish all contribute to making fine delectable wines.
The wines from the Provence region are without a doubt synonym of conviviality made for all occasions, suited just as much to the aperitif as for a gastronomic meal.
ROSÉ,
ALL YEAR ROUND!
The diversity of Provence wines rosés gives us the opportunity to enjoy them all year long. During the holidays where copious meals are followed by decadent desserts, a glass of rosé adds a touch of lightness to the December feasts and the classic turkey meal. For those who like to cocoon by the fireplace in January or to celebrate love in February, rosé has a special place. When the warm days finally arrive, the wines of Provence are ideal to pair with crab or lobster. Finally, the finesse and complexity of Provence wines allow us to celebrate special moments like wedding anniversary, Mother’s Day or a graduation.
THE ENVIRONMENT,
A PRIORITY IN VITICULTURE PRACTICES
The environment is a priority for the producers of Provence. Wines are made by conscientious winemakers who have the desire to protect their ecosystem and preserve the land for future generations. Therefore, the number of organic and HVE producers (Haute Valeur Environnementale) grow constantly. In the appellation of Côtes de Provence, the most important in terms of surface, has 28% of its vineyard certified organic and HVE. The numbers are just as impressive in Coteaux Varois en Provence with 57% and in Coteaux d’Aix-en- Provence with 30%. In fact, the mistral makes it easier for producers who wish to protect the environment by limiting or eliminating chemical producers. This climatic condition provides healthier canopies and grapes due to its drying impact. This prevents the proliferation and the development of fungal diseases.
Wine notes courtesy of Wines of Provence and the LCBO. Pricing current as of day of posting. Images: courtesy of the wineries and Wines of Provence. I receive complimetary wine to facilitate this feature.
