This post has been brought to you by Cotes de Provence. All opinions expressed are my own. The following message is intended for those 21+. Please enjoy responsibly.

Today we’re reviewing a trio of rosés from Cotes de Provence, France. Naturally, I’ll be giving some tasting and aromatic notes on the wines, talking a little about what makes Cotes de Provence tick, and offering some pairing suggestions to really help these bottles shine.

Now, without further delay, let’s start tasting.

The Where – Cotes de Provence, France

The largest of the Provence appellations, Cotes de Provence covers about half of the entire Provence wine region. The overwhelming majority of the appellations' output is rosé wine, in excess of ninety percent according to tracking by Vins de Provence, of which a substantial amount is produced from Tibouren grapes, which are a local Provencal varietal, along with Cinsault, another local grape. Aside from local grapes, the area also produces Grenache, Syrah, and Mouvedre. The geography and climate of Cotes de Provence is surprisingly varied, from the balmier, sea breeze lashed Mediterranean climates found along the coast of the appellations' southern reaches, to the cooler sub-alpine hills in the north.

The Bottles – A Showcase

First up we’ll be taking a look at a 2021 Chateau La Coste:

Next, we’ll be tasting a 2021 Chateau les Valentines:

Finally, we’ll be sampling a 2021 Tourmaline from Barton and Guestier:

Aromatics and Tasting – The Review

The Chateau La Coste greets with a raspberry aromatics and citrus notes. On the palate, the wine is instantly fruit-forward, but delicately textured. Citrus flavors are up front and refreshing, with just a hint of spice. Red currants and strawberry linger on the palate. A very refreshing bottle, perfect for the warmer weather.

The Chateau les Valentines introduces itself with surprisingly rich aromatics. Think lush red fruit such as strawberry and raspberry, with just a hint of sliced strawberries. On the palate, the wine is medium bodied with refreshing acidity. White peach, apricot, and pleasant citrus notes all make an appearance in turn. Dry herbs manifest on the palate, giving the fruitiness a bit of welcomed complexity and nuance. A very pleasant experience.

The Tourmaline opens with lavender aromatics punctuated by copious citrus, rich watermelon, and just a hint of juicy pear. On second whiff, something akin to ‘wet gravel’ bubbles up through the aromatics. On the palate, the wine is well balanced, featuring notes of lime and honey laced through rich tropical fruits. A very enjoyable bottle.

What to Eat – The Pairings

With all of today’s wines, by-the-book rosé pairings are the safest, and most enjoyable, way to go. Think of things like a refreshing aguachile set over tuna in lettuce cups prepared with mango, hearts of palm, and red onion. Think of light cheese boards, light charcuterie, or herbed white-bodied fish, and lightly grilled chicken, or crostini topped with truffle goat cheese crusted in pignoli nuts, along with fig and herb marinated salmon. In all cases, think tossed salads, lean fish, or even grilled fruit kebabs, as all of these would be delightful pairings for this particular set of wines. These are light, ‘easy drinking’ bottles, and demand equally ‘easy’ and ‘accessible’ pairings.

More Rosés to Love

• Rosés for Valentine's Day - A trio of more robust rosés from some of our favorite Michigan Wineries.
• Sparkling Rosés - A variation of sparkling Rosés for summer or the holiday season.
• Château Peyrassol Rosé- Bright, crisp, floral. All the notes of summer in a bottle.
• Pinot Noir Rosé- This particular bottle from La Crema offers bright and zesty citrus notes off the top the glass.
• Chateau Peyrassol Rosé- Elegant and charming, I enjoy this wine for its fruity aromatics that pairs well with appetizers.