Provence rosé

Provence rosé is of course rosé wine that comes from Provence – a wine region in southwest France that stretches along the mediterranean coast. But more than that, Provence rosé is a very distinct style of pink – and one that’s consistent across the region.

The classic Provence style is a light, salmon pink rosé that’s dry, elegant and citrussy, with summer berry fruit flavours. It can be sparkling or still and can range from mid-price to seriously expensive – but always with that same distinct colour and flavour profile.

Provence rosé is typically a pale salmon pink in colour, with citrussy notes, red berry fruit and a clean finish.   

Good Provence rosé can have some complexity, and styles do vary a little according to the different Provence regions. Rosés from Coteaux du Varois, for example, thanks to its chalky, flinty soils, have a little more tension and energy. In Aix en Provence, in contrast, grapes are picked later which gives the wine a lovely freshness of flavour.     

But even in the top bottles, complexity isn’t what Provence rosé is about. It’s made simply to be enjoyed – whether with good company, a good book or with food.

One of the things makes Provence rosé special is its consistent quality across the region. Another is its distinctive style – pale, elegant and citrussy, it’s the ultimate summer refreshment. 

But Provence rosé hasn’t always enjoyed the enviable reputation it holds today. Back in the 1970s, Provence pinks were often deep in colour and varying in quality. That all changed in the 1990s when the wine producing community (including over 450 individual estates and 58 co-operatives), came together to agree on a new set of standards for winemaking. 

As a result, Provence now has some of the most consistent winemaking practices in the world – and the savoir faire of its winemakers shines through in all of its wines.

Another factor that helps Provence produce such consistently great wines is the ingrained knowledge of the growers – including those that supply the often-excellent co-ops. Take for example the winds. There are 32 different winds in Provence, each creating their own microclimates, affecting the ripening and development of the grapes. Tough to understand for outsiders – but the local growers know each and every wind by name.

Combine that consistent excellence in winemaking with the in-depth knowledge of every nuance of the vineyards and you’ve a recipe for a truly classic style. 

To quickly see how special Provence rosé is, try a little thought experiment. When you think ‘white wine’, does a particular region come to mind? Sauvignon and Marlborough, sure but white wine as a whole? Thought not. And how about red? It’s fair to say that no one wine region really ‘owns’ a colour.

But think of rosé wine – and it’s hard not to immediately think Provence.

Discover other popular rosé wines

Wine is such a personal thing that one person’s ‘best Provence rose’ will not be the same as another’s. That said, there are some famous Provence pinks that enjoy a very high reputation for quality.

Perhaps the most famous is Whispering Angel. It is made by Sacha Lichine, who Jancis Robinson calls ‘the golden boy of rosé,’ at an estate he bought in 2006 with the avowed intention of producing the greatest rosé in the world. 

Having established an enviable brand reputation for Whispering Angel, Sacha went on to produce an even finer pink – Rock Angel. With its Sancerre-like elegance and deft touch of oak, Rock Angel is a serious food wine. 

But does that make Rock Angel the ‘best Provence rosé’. That depends on what you’re looking for. If you want a classic Provence pink that’s made with simple enjoyment in mind – you can likely get away with spending a lot less and being happier with the result.

The same is true across producers and wines in Provence. Whispering Angel is justly considered one of the finest. And there are other contenders – such as Miravel, from the estate once owned by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. But because quality is so good across the region, you can find great Provence rosé without paying for these big names. 

In fact, many of the co-op produced Provence rosés are worth exploring. This is because their winemaking facilities and expertise are second to none – and the many small growers that supply the co-ops know their vineyards like the backs of their hands.

Ultimately, the best Provence rosé is the one you like!

Provence rosé is one of the most versatile wines for food matching – for two main reasons. Firstly, its qualities are very contained and restrained – so it won’t interfere with whatever food you’re eating. Secondly, because it sits somewhere between a red and a white in colour and texture, it can match both fish and meat dishes (and vegetable too of course!).

That said – here are a few classic food matches for Provence rosé.

·      Ratatouille – a classic mediterranean dish, ratatouille is naturally a great match for Provence rosé. The wine’s herby flavours will match the herby flavours of food – and its lemony freshness will cut through the olive oil and allow the vegetable flavours to come to the fore.

·      Salad Niçoise – another mediterranean classic, this salad bursts with summery flavours, combining olives, eggs and anchovies to delicious effect. Just about the only thing that could improve it (in this writer’s opinion) is a nicely chilled glass of Provence pink!

·      Roast duck breast – duck breast is delicious cooked pink with a fruity sauce. But it’s too rich for a white wine and a red might overpower its flavours. Quick to the rescue – a Provence rosé and a match made in heaven.

·      Salmon Caesar – fancy a different take on the classic Caesar salad? Try swapping out the chicken for steamed or poached salmon. The pink colour will match perfectly with a Provence rosé – and so will the flavours.