I often go on a crusade about rosé in the summer. I just can't help it. This week's selection, a blend of Cabernet, Grenache and Syrah, is from Provence, the traditional homeland of rosé. The reviews say it all: 90 points and a Best Buy rating from Wine & Spirits and 88 points and a Top-100 Rosé listing from Wine Spectator, phenomenal scores for a wine at this price.
Tasting Note: Surprisingly flavourful, if you're judging by the pale colour. Very pretty and aromatic. Almost chewy on the firmly textured palate, with tons of spice, sour cherry and melon. Notes of chamomile and roses with white pepper and a warm mineral character add detail and finesse.
Enjoy With: The perfect match for anything built on the garlic-olive oil foundation of Provençal cuisine. It's ideal with anything from garlic shrimp to grilled sausages to barbecued lamb chops.
Style: Dry, medium-bodied rosé wine.
Terroir / Region: Spreading north of the Mediterranean town of Aix-en-Provence to the east and west, Coteaux d'Aix en Provence has been a winemaking region since the time of the Greeks. Known for its hearty, textured reds, the area's rosés have more spice and depth than those from nearby Cotes de Provence. The grapes for the Sabine Rosé were sourced from five hillside vineyards scattered around the town of Aix.
Producer: The Bieler family has been making wine in Provence since 1992. Bieler Père et Fils was started in 2005 with an exclusive focus on rosé wines. The estate is overseen by Charles Bieler, who spent years travelling the US in a pink Cadillac, promoting his family's wines and the merits of rosé. Modelling himself and his winery after the maverick producers and smaller properties he admires, Bieler named this wine for his daughter, Sabine, who was born the year it was first made.
Availability: 600 cases will be released officially on Saturday, July 24 in Vintages. But check the LCBO website, since some stores' shelves are already stocked. Look for it in the rosé section.
13.5% Alcohol/Vol. | 750 mL | #71423
Remember your reusable shopping bag & please enjoy responsibly.
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