Cristia's 2016 Cote de Provence Rose. "The Perfect Rose!?" Wonderful Salmon Colour, Great Balance Between Fruit and Mineral.

For many, the perfect summer afternoon can only exist with a delicious bottle of Rose. Cristia’s Cote de Provence is just such a bottle.

CÔTE DE PROVENCE ROSÉ BY DOMAINE DE CRISTIA 2016

Provence Rose as it should be.

Bottle Price : $19.95

Case Price : $239.40

Winery : Domaine De Cristia

Wine Region : France (France), Southern Rhône (France)

Bottle Per Case : 12 x 750 ml

Food Pairing : Breads, Cured Meat, Rich Fish, Roasted Vegetables, Soft Cheese, White Meat

Cristia’s Côte de Provence Rosé is a lovely peachy-orange colored blush which shows scents of ripe melons, citrus and ripe strawberries. The flavors are light and fruity with brisk acidity.

Even if it continues to rain every day, Summer weather is here to stay. The only thing that can improve a sunny warm afternoon, is a great bottle of Rose. I am not sure whether Rose was invented in Provence, but they have certainly perfected it. Cristia’s Cote de Provence epitomizes what most of look for when we are looking for a Rose. The Cote de Provence seems to sell out very quickly any time it comes in, so you may want to be on top of this one. This wine is in stock now.

In case you were wondering the picture above is Provence with the Ventoux in the background. There is an almost constant breeze here ensuring that freshness is maintained in the wines.

A few notes on Domaine de Cristia from Robert Parker below.

SCROLL DOWN FOR THE NEW VINTAGE OF CRISTIA VENTOUX AND DOMAINE LA SUFFRENE’S BANDOL ROSE.

“If you haven’t figured it out yet, this is one of the up-and coming new superstar producers in Chateauneuf du Pape thanks to the inspired efforts of proprietors Alain and Baptiste Grangeon. The style here seems to be a synthesis of old-line tradition with their emphasis on ancient Grenache vines and a healthy respect for modernist techniques.”

– Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

“Domaine de Cristia has come on like gangbusters over the last decade, since proprietors Baptiste Grangeon took over from his father in 1999…. This superb Chateauneuf du Pape producer also fashions tasty Cotes du Rhones and Cotes du Rhone-Villages meant to be consumed during their first few years of life.”

– Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

The new vintage of Cristia Ventoux has arrived. It has not quite been released to us quite yet, but it will be soon. This is the 2015 version of the Ventoux. For those unaware, 2015 was a splendid vintage in the Southern Rhone and throughout much of Europe. At $16.95/bottle, this wine kills it. The ultimate BBQ wine, and yes, your wine snob friends will be more than satisfied.

There are those among us that only want to drink the absolute best. When it comes to Rose, and especially Rose from Provence, there is no better appellation than Bandol. Domaine la Suffrene was recommended to us by the best winemakers we know in the Rhone. They had a unanimous voice when they said, this is the Rose we buy. Once we tried it, the reasons were obvious. Read the tasting note below which is remarkably accurate.

A gorgeous salmon-pink in colour with orange tints. On the nose, floral and ripe with hints of peach and strawberry and spice. On the palate, soft and dry with a mineral acidity leading to flavours of fraises des bois, canteloupe melon and citrus fruits. The finish is long and lingering. This silky rose is a blend of hand-harvested Mourvedre, Grenache, Cinsault and Carignan and is particularly well suited to seafood and salads. Try as a summer aperitif also.

If you love Rose, you do not want to miss Suffrene’s Bandol Rose.

Have a great day!