Côtes de Provence is a grape growing region that stretches along the otherwise
famed Côte d’Azur (French Riviera) from Marseille to Nice. Several low mountain
ranges, particularly the Massif de la Sainte-Baume and the Massif des Maures,
act to partition its geographic zones. Currently, about 50% of all France’s rosé
originates from this DOC and it remains widely recognized, deservedly, as the
global gold standard of this wine style. Greeks were first to introduce wine to the
area around 600 BC and over the millennia, in the long lead up to the last several
centuries, fashioning Rosé has now become the primary focus and distinction.

In 1964, eight vineyard owners from the Saint-Tropez Peninsula elected to form
the Maîtres Vignerons de la Presqu’île de Saint Tropez brand. Setting out to be
much more than simply a marketing tool, the group benefits from the sharing of
resources such as production facilities and grape-growing advisement provided
by the staff of viticulturists. The shareholding vintners continue to cultivate and
vinify their own, terroir specific wines, but distribute their finished offerings under
this highly successful, cooperative umbrella.

This fresh and crisp rosé is truly a Provençal wine, blending 90% Grenache and
a small, 10% splash of Cinsault. As is typical for the vintners here, grapes are
harvested from multiple growths, with each batch made into individual wine that
then is selectively combined to achieve the desired balances. Fairly rounded and
reasonably weighty, this week’s DéClassé recommendation will complement and
keep up with a range of food flavours from the delicate to the barbecued and the
spicy. It’s a well-made, textbook version to introduce to guests who aren’t familiar
with the charms of dry rosé. The shapely, amphora-like bottle is also expressive
of the South of France and graces the best-laid tables; soon, perhaps yours also!

CARTE NOIRE ROSÉ 2014
VINTAGES – Product #319384 | 750 mL bottle
Price: $ 17.95
Wine, Rosé Wine
13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Sugar Content : XD

Made in: Provence, France
By: Les Maîtres Vignerons de la Presqu’île de Saint-Tropez
Release Date: June 13, 2015

Tasting Note:
With aromas of cherry, red pepper and rose petals, this consistently well-made,
holiday in-a-glass, is a wonderfully delicate sipper but also an excellent match for
ratatouille, Nicoise salad, squash gratin or herbed, grilled fish and chicken.