Provence is synonymous with lavender fields, sunshine and delicate pink rosés many regard as the best in the world. Since the influx of millionaires and movie stars in recent decades, it’s also become one of the pricier regions of France. Yet, happily, we can still enjoy the trappings of the Côte d’Azur lifestyle with wines like Domaine Pontfract. It comes from a 20 hectare estate with chalky, stony soil and sunshine all summer long.
The prime ingredients of Provence rosé, Grenache, Cinsault and Carignan, love these conditions. Winemaker Marie Alejandro gives the grapes a gentle pressing to extract a delicate colour and delightful, strawberry scented aromas. Enjoy this pink on its own, or with olive tapenade or a fresh seafood platter.
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This gorgeous pink Grenache, with vibrant berry fruit and juicy freshness, has class stamped all over it. From Andrew McPherson’s hugely talented team, it’s a rosé packed to the gunwales with charm.
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Le XV is known to thousands as our ‘King of the Big Reds’. It owes its intensity to Grenache from vines, some over 100 years old, that grow on the rocky slopes of the Pyrenean foothills in the Montagne Noire and yield only tiny quantities of grapes. Le XV also benefits from the painstaking care of self-confessed southern French wine aficionado Mark Hoddy, whose draconian selection process sees him earmark in advance every vineyard he intends to harvest and micro-manage every stage of the winemaking. This takes time, but you can taste the result in every delicious glass!
Richly textured, with layers of ripe bramble fruit kept smooth by warming alcohol and soft, ripe tannins, this is a red to enjoy with roast lamb, steak or a hearty stew.
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Provence rosés are renowned for being some of the very finest. With lovely berry fruit and freshness, as well as a sophistication you'd expect of a region frequented by the rich and famous. Many tourists flock there every year too, to enjoy the sun, sea and beaches. Indeed, Provence has an ideal climate both for tourists and for growing vines. The region enjoys twice as much sunshine as London – yet relatively moderate temperatures even in the height of summer.
This delightful pink is from the Bréban family’s small domaine in the Côte d’Azur. Their southfacing vineyards are surrounded by wooded hillsides, with well drained soils. The result is a fine pink with subtle berry fruit. Spot on with salmon, salt and pepper squid or simple sipping.
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Provence remains supreme for classy pinks. Not always cheap, but our Buyer Jean Marc knows that Aix offers quality with value. Using Provence’s classic grapes, the cellar there has captured the berry fruit, stony citrus notes and savoury riff.
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Rex Mundi is adored by thousands of fans of southern French reds – it’s one of our bestselling favourite black reds.
A devilishly delicious blend of spice-laden, lip-staining Shiraz and raspberry-rich Grenache from very deep in southern France, it’s absolutely irresistible.
This lusciously decadent black beauty is made from fabulously intense old-vine grapes grown on the craggy hillsides of France’s rugged Languedoc-Roussillon. Above the vineyards are ruins of castles perching precariously on rocky peaks. These ancient strongholds were home to medieval Cathars who lived in awe of the evil god Rex Mundi (‘King of the World’). He corrupted the faithful with promises of earthly pleasures and forbidden delights.
The man behind this wickedly delicious wine is the great Hervé Sabardeil, our ‘King of the Black Reds’. So don’t even try to resist the temptation of this wonderful black red. Just sip and enjoy its lavishly rich and deep flavours and long, luxurious finish. At this amazing price you might like to take two cases, so you can make it your decadent ‘house wine’ over the next few months. It’s a fabulous match to a fine cut of steak. Hurry though – this will sell quickly!
For this Gold-winning Rolls Royce version, Hervé uses Syrah, Carignan and Grenache from the very oldest vines – some over 100 years in age – grown on the finest slate soils. This is a powerfully decadent black red with magic melt-in-the-mouth richness and layers of sumptuous, creamy spice. It’s terrifyingly good!