Lockdown is easing and there’s talk of air bridges but many of us are still wondering if we’ll get a holiday abroad this summer.
This means there’s every excuse to come with me on a wine tour. In part 1 and part 2 we enjoyed the wines of Portugal, Spain and Southern France.
Now it’s time to take our tastings through Provence and into Italy.
Day 5: Provence and the Côte d’Azur
A glass of rosé wine is the very symbol of summer for me. At home or away, the holiday vibes really kick in once I’m sipping a cool rosé. There are many rosé wine styles available from the vivid pinks of the new world through to the pale-onion skin of Provence, meaning there’s something to suit all tastes.
For me, Provence rosé wine sets the standard when it comes to refined, dry, fruity and refreshing rosés and there are a few favourites that I come back to time again.
The region has also become famous because of celebrity investment with Kylie Minogue recently joining Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in owning vineyards in the area. And with that certain wines, such as those from Chateau d’Esclans, have become famous in their own right.
Famous wines, famous prices – are they worth it?
If money is no object then spending £100+ on a bottle of the “Greatest Rosé ever”( James Suckling) – the Garrus, from Chateau d’Esclans (£94.95, Fine Wine Direct) – might be a nice treat for a special occasion and it’s certainly on my wish list.
But for less than £20 there are plenty of great Provençal rosé that are perfect wines for a summer’s afternoon. Here are my favourites:
M de Minuty (£12.99 Majestic) is a blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah and full of peaches, melons, lemons and redcurrants. It works brilliantly on its own, with good conversation, or a range of foods from salads and crudités through to fruit tarts. The bottles are also beautiful and look great even when empty!
Williams Chase Provence Rosé (£17.99 Champion Wines) from British Distiller Chase, famous for gin and vodka and now producing wine in Provence. A blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Vermentino the wine is full of strawberries, raspberries, redcurrants with a bit of peach and apricot. It is dry and very refreshing and works well for long afternoons with nibbles, a picnic or summer sharing platters.
Miraval (£19.00 Tesco; £19.95 Berry Bros & Rudd) is my concession to a ‘celebrity’ wine – it came to fame after Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt bought the estate. But of all the ‘celebrity’ roses I think this is the best value for money and one where the quality of the wine speaks for itself regardless of the famous connections. The wine is full of strawberries and cream, raspberries, redcurrants and has a wonderful savoury black pepper spice, which develops with a little age. Again, perfect for any summer BBQ or picnic and works particularly well with grilled vegetables.
Day 6: Into Italy and the Piemonte
The area south of Turin is home to the famous Italian wines of the Piemonte. Many familiar names including Barolo, Asti and Gavi are all produced in this region. The foothills of the area provide different climates and aspects for the vines to grow. This means there are a range of red wine styles produced from the rich indulgent Barolo to the lighter fruity Barbera d’Asti and Dolcetto d’Alba.
Whilst a Barolo is the king of red wines from this region, it is a wine that is best suited to rich stews and indulgent meat-based dishes. The wine has high levels of tannin and needs plenty of aging, so is one to enjoy with a hearty meal after a day hiking in the mountains.
My holiday memories are much more of trattorias and osterias with simpler foods and local wines. And these types of food call for a lighter easy drinking wine.
Whether you’re enjoying a tagliata di manzo, a plate of cheese or a truffle pasta then my choice would be a Barbera such as this Amonte Barbera from Champion Wines (£11.99). It has aromas and flavours of cherries, cassis, plums and a little lilac (like parma violets). The tannins are enough to balance the food but soft enough to suit a range of foods while the acidity is balanced and refreshing for the palate.
Moving on…
Now it’s time to travel south to Tuscany. On our way we’ll call via Gavi for a quick taste of the Piemonte’s famous white wine. Fresh yet elegant the wines have flavours and aromas of lemon citrus, apples and pears and a floral edge. Great for a range of foods and also as an aperitif on a sunny terrace. My choice is the Gianfranco and Serena Gavi from Naked Wines (£11.99).
I’ll be enjoying a glass of Gavi while I plan our next route. See you in Tuscany!
All prices correct at time of writing.
About
Jo is an independent wine enthusiast, who is qualified as WSET Level 3 (with distinction). She is passionate about wine and enjoys sharing her advice through her blogs. Jo is also a keen photographer and loves taking the photos of wine almost as much as tasting it! Read more on My Story.
