Two French Rosé Wines Perfect For A Sultry Summer

When the heat is so intense that the pavement melts and people who fall on the sidewalk are burned, you know it’s next-level hot. Don’t even get me started on Phoenix! Our number one survival tip is to sip a nicely chilled bottle of French rosé. We present to you two excellent choices, widely available and at cool prices.

Hampton Water 2022 Rosé, Languedoc

Hampton Water 2022 is the fifth vintage for this wine with a rock-star pedigree. Jesse Bongiovi, son of legendary rocker Jon Bon Jovi is the man who along with his partner Ali Thomas created Hampton Water, a brand that has garnered considerable buzz. Being rock ‘n roll royalty doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a master winemaker.

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Fear not. Hampton Water is produced by Gerard Bertrand, a wine maestro with several vineyards in the South of France and an acclaimed winemaker.

Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvèdre, and a touch of Syrah blend delightfully in this wine from Languedoc. Languedoc is one of my favorite regions for reasonably priced quality French wines. The wine is fresh with a good balance between fruit and acid. It gets a short spell in new French oak, which adds a unique texture to the wine. Melon, strawberries, and a nice dollop of minerality.

The average price of Hampton Water is $19, making it very easy for you to dive in!

 

Campuget 2022 Tradition Rosé, IGP Gard

I was in quite a dilemma. My wife was hosting a girls-only mimosa brunch and I was cruelly cast out into the blazing heat. I wandered aimlessly (although in my nicely air-conditioned car) for a while. Then I texted my wine amigo Arthur. I was checking in on a potential date for our next wine tasting.

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Arthur usually visits North Carolina wineries during the weekends, but as luck would have it, he was home and invited me over for a glass of wine. Salvation was at hand.

We often enjoy wine on the deck when Arthur hosts the winetasting. Not today. The sun’s rays were like laser beams roasting anything daring to venture outside. Arthur poured a glass of Campuget Tradition rosé as his wife Mary joined us in the living room.

This wine comes from the Mediterranean coast of France. The Gard IGP covers well-known rosé-producing regions Costières de Nîmes, Tavel, and Lirac.

Syrah (70%) and Grenache (30%) make up the blend, which is light and fresh pink in the glass. It is highly aromatic with notes of peach leading into flavors of raspberry and strawberry. This refreshing wine is completely vegan – using no animal products and fining is done with vegetable proteins and mineral products.

The average price of Campuget Tradition Rosé is about $13, a smashing value for this great wine.

Full disclosure: One of these wines was received as a marketing sample.

WIYG: A Review Of Our Recent Sips And Pours

WIYG? That’s a question we are often asked. Here’s a look at what's in our glass. 

Caizergues 2018 Les Magnarelles, Languedoc

Languedoc is a huge region in southern France previously known for bulk wine, but now reinvented and the producer of dynamic quality wines. Wines, like this wine, can be purchased at a steal. This blend is Syrah with Carignan, Cinsault and Syrah. The tannins are laid back, indicating this may have been aged in concrete.

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This is a fresh, medium-bodied wine with dark fruit and black currant notes accented with garrigue – a blend of herbs typical in the region. Lively, fresh, and elegant. About $15, although I snagged this at a sub-$10 closeout.

Castello di Torre in Pietra 2020 “Elephas” Bianco, Lazio IGT  

Did I just buy this because I thought the Green Dragon would like the elephant on the label? Perhaps. This Italian blend combines Trebbiano, Vermentino, and the southern grape of Fiano. These grapes can produce some unremarkable wines and combining them together doesn’t improve the situation much.

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There are fresh notes of lemon, some salinity, and peaches. Great for a sunny day, deeply chilled with some seafood. Organic with a price tag of about $14. 

Weingut Hillinger 2017 Hillside Red, Burgenland

After attending an industry tasting on Burgenland wine, my eyes were opened to this region that is the top producer of reds in Austria. Hillinger is a great producer and they do it with some uncommon (outside of Austria) grapes. This easy-to-love blend features 60% spicy Syrah, 30% fruity Zweigelt, and 10% supple Merlot. Dark ruby in the glass, it has aromas of fruit and spice. On the palate, blackberries come forth with cherries, smokiness, and black pepper.

The use of oak aging is restrained, allowing for a beautiful, laid-back finish. Highly recommended. Priced at around $24. 

Montes de Leza 2021 Limited Edition Leas, Rioja

This is an unusual wine for us. We regularly enjoy Spanish wines from Rioja, but they almost always are red and mostly Tempranillo. This wine flips the script and is a white Rioja made with 100% Viura. I’ve had a chance to tour Rioja and tried some whites and they can be quite enjoyable, as is this one.

It comes from the northwest DOCa Rioja Alavesa, which is known for producing some delicate wines. Indeed, this wine weighs in with a mere 12.5% ABV, which means you can pair it with a wide variety of lighter dishes without overwhelming them. In the glass, this is a pale greenish yellow. On the tongue, this has notes of citrus and white fruits. Perfect with salads, pasta, and seafood. I scored this for a mere $12.99.

Three Regions, Three Great Rosé Expressions For Springtime

Here are three affordable, totally tasty rosé wines we know you’ll love.

Get Ready To Celebrate

The flowers are blooming, birds are singing, and the temperature is rising. Everyone knows what time of year it is: it’s rosé season!

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To prepare for National Rosé Day on June 8, we delved into this most delightful style of blush wine, popping open three bottles from three different regions. We’re happy to recommend this trio of deliciousness:

Hampton Water Rosé 2020, South of France

This rosé is the creation of Jesse Bongiovi, son of rock legend John Bon Jovi. Far from being a celebrity gimmick, this wine has garnered a slew of awards, including being included in the Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines list.

The wine is made with the assistance of famed French winemaker Gerard Bertrand, whose wines we adore. It is a blend of Grenache (60%)  blended with Cinsault (15%), Mourvedre (15%), and Syrah (10%) traditional grapes of the French Mediterranean. We really enjoy wines from the Languedoc region and this is no exception.

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It has clean notes of red fruit and citrus and has body that is a notch fuller than a Provence-style rosé. We see this as a perfect pairing with seafood. Although we’ve never been to the Hamptons, we can catch a sip of that carefree lifestyle while sipping this wine. A sub-$25 SRP winner.

Ca Di Prata Brut 2019, Prosecco Rosé DOC

We had no idea that until November 2020, there was no such thing as Prosecco Rosé. Even though the Friuli region has a long history of making sparkling rosé it couldn’t carry Prosecco on the label. A long-debated proposal was finally approved by the regulating council, and we couldn’t be happier.

This bubbler has 85% Glera (the traditional grape for Prosecco) and 15% Pinot Nero (aka Pinot Noir). With a $17 SRP, we found this wine to be an exemplary food wine. It has notes of strawberry and violet with fresh red fruits. There are nice streaming bubbles, but they dissipate rapidly.

The Ca’ di Prata name and label pay tribute to the municipality of Prata di Pordenone within the region of Friuli, where these wines are made.  A location famous for its historic bell tower, beautiful vineyards, and surrounding farmlands, the Ca’ di Prata label features a rendition of the tower on its label.

Reserve des Chastelles 2019 Rosé, Tavel

Occasionally when shopping at Trader Joe’s, we’ll stock up on everyday wine. It has a nice selection of European wines and there are some evenings you really don’t need to crack open a $75 bottle of vino.

We had just about wrapped up a recent shopping trip when this bottle caught my eye. Tavel rosé is trending, at least with me. Tavel is the only region in France’s Rhone Valley that is dedicated solely to the production of rosé and I think it shows in the taste and quality.

First of all, Tavel rosé isn’t for the weak-kneed. It’s got a bit more heft to it, and the color gives you a clue to that. Instead of a pale salmon color like a Provence rosé, it is a bold red, like a translucent rose petal. It is composed of 60% Grenache, 25% Cinsault, and 15% Syrah but the expression has much more structure than most rosé wines. It’s a rosé that red wine drinkers can appreciate.

There are layers of strawberry, watermelon, and a dash of minerality. It is juicy with a touch of tartness. All this is to say, there are layers of flavors rather than being a one-note wine.

The most startling thing about this wine is the price. It is a mere $8.99! At this price, you can buy a couple of cases to tide you through the rest of the pandemic. It’s only available at Trader Joe’s.

For under $25, you have three great picks to celebrate spring and National Rosé Day.

Full disclosure: Some of this wine was received as a marketing sample.

Château des Crès Ricards 2017 Stécia, Terrasses du Larzac

Languedoc, located in the south of France, produces flavorful wines at a great price point. We pop open the cork to find a pleasant surprise.

Champion of Sud de France

Jean-Claude Mas can certainly be considered the champion of France’s southern wine regions. The founder of Domaines Paul Mas, he is carrying on a family tradition that dates back to 1892 when his grandfather bought the first family vineyard.

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Today Domaines Paul Mas encompasses a number of different labels. Mas has developed what started as a 61-acre gift from his father into an enterprise than spans more than 1,800 acres in the heart of Languedoc wine country.

The region is bounded by the Mediterranean Sea to the south and mountains in the north. Temperate conditions contribute to thriving agriculture. More than 45 different grape varieties are available for Domaine Paul Mas wines.

In the past Languedoc has been regarded as a fountain of unremarkable wines. Winemakers in the region today are turning heads with their bottles. Mas has been a leading advocate for the region and its wines.

Silky Stécia

Upon uncorking, Stécia came on strong. At 14.5% ABV, this is a big wine. This  surprised me since many Languedoc wines are simple and a bit meek.

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Stécia is a blend of 60% Syrah, 25% Grenache, and 15% Carignan. The Syrah, grown in pebbly soil on steep, terraced vineyards, leads with power. After opening up, the finer points of this wine are on display with a delicate interplay between the three grapes.

The wine has a unique aging regimen, with 45% of the wine getting eight months of oak aging in French and American barrels. The barrels range from new to two-year old. Carbonic maceration is used for the Syrah and Carignan.

We found the wine to be complex and rewarding, especially at a $19.99 SRP. The flavors are deep with blackberry notes and herbal undertones. This is an outstanding French wine available for a song. Pair it with a nice steak, grilled lamb or a casual evening with friends.

Full disclosure: This wine was received as a marketing sample.

Flickr Tags: French wine,Syrah,wine tasting,Languedoc,wine

Rosé Summer Rolls On With Two French Mediterranean Winners

We’ve declared this the Rosé Summer. Pink is everywhere you look. For us in the Triangle area of North Carolina, there has been some sweltering humidity. What’s a person to do? Try uncorking one of these rosé blends.

Power Of The Chiller

Rosé is a pink wine made from red wine grapes. Red wine wouldn’t be red if not for extended contact with the grape skins, which provide anthocyanins – the compound which gives grapes color. When it comes to drinking wine, that may be TMI (too much information)!

The art of rosé is controlling the process to result in the delightful salmon, coral or rose colors. The visual treat is a boost to the spirits on a hot day as much as the crisp refreshing wine.

We encourage you to chill it down and then get down, so to speak, with a glass of rosé. It’s a perfect pairing wine for a variety of foods.

Say Cinsault – Say What?

We recently tried a pair of rosé wines from France, the Mimi en Provence Grand Reserve, Côtes de Provence and the Gérard Bertrand Cote des Roses, Languedoc Sud de France. Both are 2016 vintages and both can be found in the $12-$15 price range.

This pair also shares the same trio of grapes in their blend: Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah – popular grapes in the south of France. The Mimi lists the grapes in the order above, while the Cotes des Roses leads with the Grenache in the greater quantity followed by Cinsault. Cinsault, is pronounced SAHN-soh, and can also be spelled Cinsaut. Cinsault can withstand very high heat, and so it is widely grown in the hotter areas of France, like Languedoc. It is typically blended to tone down its naturally high acidity. We consider this a playful blend of grapes, that well represents the Mediterranean region from which they originate.

A Rosé By Any Other Name

Two great entrée choices for rosé are pork and salmon. We tried them both with excellent results. We paired the Mimi with cedar plank rosemary salmon served with broccoli and baked potatoes.

The Mimi, which we picked up at Cellar 55, is a light salmon in color – how fitting! The bouquet is bright and floral. On the palate, there is a taste of Granny Smith apples and citrus. It is fresh and crisp. It was a seamless match with our salmon and we continued to enjoy it on into the evening.

The Gérard Bertrand is pale pink in the glass. On the nose there are whiffs of red fruit. The Cote des Roses was poured with panko-coated pork chops grilled with apples and served with broiled vegetables and couscous. The grapes for this vino are grown in a warm, windy climate and the altitude and cooling sea breezes allow the grapes to retain their freshness. We tasted honeysuckle and flavor threads of candied citrus.

I grabbed the Gérard Bertrand for dinner when I saw the Green Dragon arranging some pink roses on the dining table. The Cote des Roses bottle is embellished with a pink rose on the neck. The bottle was created by a young designer from the Ecole Boulle. It features a rose molded into the bottom of the bottle. You can turn the bottle upside down and present it like a rose, I guess.

Both the bottles are closed with glass stoppers, adding to the artistic appeal. These are crisp, refreshing food-friendly choices for your warm weather refreshment. Let the Rosé Summer roll on!

Mas de Daumas Gassac 2011 Vin de Pays de l'Hérault Grand Reserve de Gassac

Languedoc is a huge region in the southern part of France that borders the Mediterranean. The area produces a third of French wine. The reputation has not always been stellar, but winemakers are working to build the quality and esteem of Languedoc.
This red Languedoc is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 30% Syrah. It comes from the Gassac area, where Saint Benedict of Aniane planted the first vineyard in 780 AD. The underground cold water springs, surrounding mountains and Ice Age scree give the area a unique microclimate.
The approach is soft with the Daumas Gassac. The flavors are rich but not bold. The tannins leave a bit to be desired as the wine’s structure is a bit loose. However, it is a winning wine with a sunny outlook that pairs well with a variety of food.
I’m not sure what qualifies this as a Grand Reserve. According to the bottle notes, the grapes are manually harvested from the best vineyard blocks and the 2011 vintage in l’Herault was reportedly good. When enjoyed with friends, it’s an enjoyable wine, but not a pyrotechnic display of winemaking brilliance.
I can’t criticize. I paid $10 to my friend Dr. J for the bottle. You can expect to pay less than $15 for it in the store. It’s worth a sip.
Rating: 2.5 of 5  Value: 3 of 5

Technorati Tags: French wine,Languedoc,wine

Château des Erles 2010 Cuvée des Ardoises, Fitou

This bottle may be the most interesting one I plucked from the recent clearance at Andersons. It hails from a previously unknown to me wine district, Fitou, which is located in the huge Languedoc region in southern France.
Fitou is located next to the better known Corbieres. It focuses strictly on red wine. That’s just fine with me.
Cuvée des Ardoises is the deuxième vin (or second wine) of Château des Erles. It is a blend of 40% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 30% Mourvedre. The vineyard is on steep, hilly, irregular terrain with soil of slate and schist. Ardoises is French for schist, a type of metamorphic rock. (That’s your geology lesson for today!)
This is a deep, opaque wine. It is aged in Bordeaux casks, so it has very firm tannins. It takes a while to unwind, but when it does, it’s very enjoyable.
In the Mediterranean area, the use the term “garrigue” to describe an herby, grassy quality in the wine. The Cuvée des Ardoises has garrigue in addition to a rich, robust flavor of dark fruits and spice.
As an under $20 purchase, this is a great buy. It’s more hearty than many Grenache/Syrah blends – and a bit mysterious too. I like it, and I’m sure you will like it Fitou.
Rating: 2.5 of 5  Value: 3 of 5

Pays d’Oc Wines Deliver French Flavor and Value

Located in France’s southern Languedoc Rousillon region, Pays d’OC winemakers produce a wide range of wines with character and value. Pays d’Oc is France’s largest contributor to the “country wine” category.
Vin de pays is the second quality tier in France below the Appellation d’Origine Contrȏlée and above table wine. The wines are geographically controlled, but the regulations are less strict than with AOC wines. The vin de pays term is being phased out in favor of Indication Géographique Protégée (IGP).
Some would say that vin de pays can be produced with exceptional creative freedom. They certainly deliver great value for enjoyable French wine.
At a recent get-together, we popped open the 2013 Père et Fils Cinsault-Syrah rosé. We were winding down at the house of Sax Man and Wine Chick, two TWAV tasting team members.
Rosé is on the rise in Pays d’Oc, accounting now for about 20% of all production. We can see why. Rosé is one of the hottest wine trends in the U.S. This wine was especially delicious.
If I only drank in the Père et Fils with my eyes, it would have been superlative. The color is a striking pink-orange. On the nose there is a waft of apricot.
On the palate the wine is bright with a light to medium body, similar to Riesling. We’ve never had a Cinsault-Syrah rosé before and the grape combination seems ideal. The wine, which is 70% Cinsault and 30% Syrah, is harvested at night high in the Languedoc hills. It has light filtration and matures on lees in stainless steel tanks.

A few days later, Green Dragon and I checked out a white Pays d’Oc wine, the Fortant de France 2012 Coast Select Muscat. Like the rosé, it retails for $10.99.

This wine is 100% Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains. This “white Muscat with little berries” is considered to be the best of the Muscat grape family.

The nose is expansive, with aromas of rose and honeysuckle. In the mouth this wine has a round and tropical flavor. The finish includes a pop of sweetness.

A rich wine, it seems ideal for a lazy summer day. Perhaps this reflects its origin in the sun-dappled Mediterranean coast.

There is a misconception that French wines are difficult to decipher and very expensive. Wines from Pay’s d’Oc allow you to enjoy the French lifestyle with gusto without worries of a busted budget.

Full disclosure: These wines were received as a marketing sample.

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Domaine de Nizas 2008 Languedoc Rouge

This wine from the south of France is a blend of 60% Syrah, 35% Mourvedre and 5% Grenache Noir. Like the Languedoc region itself, it captures the feeling of the Mediterranean.

“Garrigue” is a word to describe the distinct herbal notes captured in the wine: a blend of lavender, sage, rosemary and wild thyme. Almost sounds like a Simon and Garfunkle song!

Perhaps that’s why I had a hard time calibrating this wine. I was expecting a heartier, fruitier wine – but instead got a mellow, herbal flavor.

The wine should be served slightly cool and is a good match with Mediterranean dishes or savory food such as duck, lamb or mushrooms. This could be a good weekday drinker, but was uninspired. Cost is about $17.

Rating: 2 of 5  Value: 2 of 5

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Château Paul Mas 2010 Clos des Mȗres, Coteaux Du Languedoc

This Grand Vin comes from the large French wine region Coteaux du Languedoc (“coteaux” is French for a hill covered with vines). The region, located around Montpellier and up to the city of Narbonne, is known for full bodied reds.
This wine travelled with us to a gathering of friends at a rustic cabin in West Virginia. It is a blend of 85% Syrah, 10% Grenache and 5% Mourvèdre – just the ticket for an outing in the forest. It is a twist on the Rhone favorite GSM (Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre) with Syrah taking the lead in this bottling.
Château Paul Mas is a large producer in Languedoc. Their line includes the “fun” Arrogant Frog label, but based on this bottle they are capable of delivering expressive, top quality wines.
Syrah is one of our favorite grapes and the Clos des Mȗres has a bold, deep body rippling with chocolate and oak. As this wine opened in the glass, it smoothed into concentrated flavors of raspberry and currant. The finish was of lingering red berries.
The wine is under $20 and is in the prime of its drinking life. Bottle age has loosened the tannins to make this a delightful wine for grilled red meat or sausage entrees.
Rating: 4 of 5  Value: 4 of 5

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Château Ollieux Romanis 2008 Cuvée Classique, Corbières

We had been dying to get back to the Registry Bistro for many months. The restaurant in downtown Toledo specializes in eclectic American cuisine and is located in the former Secor Hotel, constructed between 1906 and 1908.

The interior is chic and sophisticated with massive concrete pillars and industrial accents. Of course the cuisine is superb, under the orchestration of Chef Erika Rapp.

The wine list for Registry is small but mighty. While other restaurants may have more wines from which to choose, Registry offers a well crafted list that covers the world quite well. It will bring a smile to the face of any wine lover.

Our entrees ranged from pot pies to beef to seafood. Our dinner group was decidedly red – so I selected the 2008 Chateau Ollieux Romanis Cuvée Classique.

The Cuvée Classique is a blend featuring the Carignan grape. Carignan is a trademark grape of  Corbières, a region in Languedoc-Roussillon, France, close to the Mediterranean Ocean. A typical blend will include Carignan, Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre.

The wine has a unique flavor profile with flavor notes of candied raspberries and blueberries. At first quaff, there was a slight medicinal flavor that faded into the blend. The body is rich and creamy.

Cuvée Classique is a versatile food wine and an ideal pick for the adventurous wine lover.

Rating: 3 of 5  Value: 3 of 5

Technorati Tags: wine,French wine,Languedoc

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