Chateau d’Esclans is situated in the heart of Provence, northeast of St. Tropez. With his acquisition of the Château in 2006, Sacha Lichine’s vision was to create the greatest rosés in the world, igniting the “Rosé Renaissance”. Château d’Esclans is home to Whispering Angel which is made from grapes sourced from amongst the most choice Vineyards in the vicinity of the Esclans Valley and nearby in the Cotes de Provence region. Harvesting is only conducted during at night time to avoid the heat of the day & to keep the crop of grapes fresh. Upon arriving in the Cellars, grapes are sorted for both health and quality ensuring that the selected grapes are assessed accurately in terms of overall quality. The harvest takes place each September, where grapes, at their ripest, are selected, picked and carefully placed in small crates, chosen in order to avoid too many grapes at the top crushing grapes at the bottom. Once the grapes arrive to the cellars all grapes which go into vinification are de-stemmed and resemble each of the physical characteristics dictated by the wine maker including shape, size, colour and condition. This is verified by an optical eye camera which is programmed to detect whether grapes correspond to the established criteria. The grapes are then sent through a soft crush mechanism which punctures them in order for the juice inside to flow followed by their entering a heat exchange system which reduces their temperature from what can be as high as 29 degrees celsius down to 7-8 degrees. Temperature reduction ensures that freshness and vivacity are locked in which is key to ensure consistent temperature control making the grapes ready for closed circuit (nitrogen) pressing ensues which produces 3 grades of what is primarily free run juice. Nitrogen pressing ensures no oxidation is taking place during the pressing process known as an accumulation of details that is carefully planned and monitored. Depending on which grade of juice the press produces, the wine makers determine which will be used to make barrel fermented (aged) wine or stainless steel fermented wine. The different grades of juice differ in terms of skin contact which pertains exclusively to the first press while the next two have no skin contact and increase in intensity from one to the next. The overall affect is a clear, clean tannin free juice which gives the wines an agreeable characteristic and taste profile while ensuring that the colour is quite pale. As the individual juices from corresponding Barrels and Vats are selected and placed into half bottles, the technical team will taste through these unique juices and they will start to form opinions for which wines they should be used to make the new vintage. The information which comes from this step in the process is noted for referential purposes related to the next step, the assemblage. The last step is the assemblage or blending for Chateau d’Esclans and Caves d’Esclans wines. While there is little variation vintage to vintage, percentage of different grape varieties that will make up the ultimate blend will differ with each new vintage, however the taste profile remains the same. Made from Grenache, Cinsault and Rolle (Vermentino) grapes, its pale colour is pleasing to the eye and draws one in. The rewarding taste profile is full and lush while being bone dry with a smooth finish. A blend of the best free run juices and press juices, fermented and aged in stainless steel with temperature control. A beautifully pale pink, which is pleasing to the eye and draws one in. Flavours of fresh red berry fruit characteristics with floral notes and a ripe and fleshy feel on the palate. This popular rosé wine has great concentration, a smooth and round finish and no astringent aftertaste.

Château Mont-Redon will be familiar to those who know and love Châteauneuf-du-Pape being well recognized as the owners of one of the most highly regarded vineyard sites in the appellation. With almost 100 hectares under vine, the majority of Mont-Redon’s vineyards are located in the appellations most favoured area, the high plateau which is covered in the large round pudding stones that Châteauneuf is so well known for. This remarkable property is in fact a single vineyard.

Standard to a Provence style rosé, Maison Breban Villa Aix AOP Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence is produced from a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah. Empowering the wine while young with aromas of red berries the Grenache also provides its body, power, and magnitude. The Cinsault provides the freshness, delicacy and fruity touch, while also conveying other nuanced qualities from the other varietals in the blend. The Villa Aix rosé wine goes well with charcuterie, grilled fish, and many white meats. Best to be served at a temperature of 8° to 10°C.

Domaine Santa Duc Famille Gras Les Plans Vin de pays de Vaucluse is produced by one of the greatest wine producers in the Rhone Valley. They are especially known for their stunning biodynamic grenache-based Gigondas wines. The nose hints at raspberry and cassis, white chocolate, light truffle, spices, licorice roots. The palate is round with good acidity on the finish. Sour cherry, raspberry, strawberry, milk chocolate, vanilla. Smooth tannins.

Domaine Pierre Usseglio et Fils is located in the village of Châteauneuf du Pape, has built a solid reputation over the years as producing rich, ripe red wines, so it's interesting to see that Thierry Usseglio and his son, Gregory, are experimenting with the use of whole bunches and an entirely new wine style that combines a large proportion of white grapes and use of amphorae. 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre, 5% Cinsault, hand harvested from Les Esqueirrons, La Bigote, Maucoil, Les Serres, Grand-Pierre, Valori, La Crau and Guigasse. 60-70% destemmed with a 3 week traditional fermentation before being aged in a mix of concrete vat and various sized barrels for 12 months.