Rose tasting

Think Rose – or better drink Rose – and the image is of a chilled summer wine drunk as an aperitif or with food accompaniment but not one of the big boys of wine. So this is where the marketing comes in to upgrade the image.

Thus the Miraval, produced by the vineyard of Brad Pitt and Whispering Angel (clever name and promotion) retails at £20. Yesterday I attended a wine tasting of Roses of Provence which were less expensive than these two but in the view of many quaffers just as good.

One notable wine which I have already acquired is the St Victoire Rosalie which has also the ingredient of Vermentino grape known locally as Rolle added tothe Grenache and Syrah at £15 is very bit as tasty as the two I mentioned and far better value. The terroir is at high altitude protecting it from the harsh effects of the Mistral that can blow its high winds 115 days a year.

Without getting too technical Roses can be produced in 3 ways, ‘bleeding’ the grape, maceration and direct press.

The Provençal vineyards tend to adopt the last two methods which accounts for its pale coral pink colour. In fact a lot of fine red and white wine is produced in the Provence region but its reputation is for Rose as is the majority of its wine production.

We all liked the Chateau de Bern, a premium Rose sold by Majestic.

Rose has a relatively short life and can therefor never be an investment wine.

I am receiving discounted offers of Rose as autumn approaches.

This makes the price of £20 all the less achievable but, aside from Whispering Angel and Miraval, marketing guru William Chase is seeking to promote his premium Rose which he has developed with negociants rather than his own vineyards.

It was not sampled yesterday, nor have I tasted it, but the talk is that he is trying to do for Rose what Hendricks are doing for gin and Grey Goose for vodka. Name, bottle and creation of image are as important as the quality of the wine although Decanter magazine gave his Luberon Rose a high 89 rating.