I’m as fond of the poolside drink as anyone else, but when it comes to rosé I find food-friendly (and even, at times, age-worthy) bottles are available. Provence AOP rosès comprise one of the most compelling wine frameworks available right now. I have what you might call a background in Provençal wine. I’m studying to be a Provence wine master and I write a great deal about the wines of the region. I also get the lovely by-product of tasting and traveling. I also have passion, excitement and interest in this historical wine region, one of the earliest in Europe.
To make a close examination, one place I’d love to visit is the Rosé Research Center in Vidauban.
According to Vins de Provence:
The leaders of Provence’s wine industry joined together in 1999 to create the “Centre de Recherche et d’Expérimentation sur le vin Rosé” (The Rosé Wine Experimentation and Research Center) in Vidauban in the French department of the Var.
The center performs scientific research and experimentation on Rosé wines. The results are published for professionals so that they can gain a better understanding of the region’s different “terroirs” and better master the techniques for making and conserving rosé wines.The Center has three different specialized centers:
• A winery where test batches of wines are produced
• A high-performance analysis laboratory
• A room for sensorial analysisThe center also organizes special events and conferences in the vineyards of Provence. These fun and informative get-togethers cover many different subjects (vine growing techniques, current and future vine types, mastering alcoholic fermentation, the aromas of Rosé wines, etc.).
I’d love to be invited to a special event or conference there. While waiting for opportunity to knock, I attend local tastings, enjoy online collaborations and take my courses…and visit Provence as much as I can.
The room for “sensorial analysis” gets my imagination going…like a Willy Wonka experience with wine. I don’t ever get bored with my own “analysis”!
I’ve recently received a delivery from VinAzur, a well-curated service out of Nice, containing three gorgeous Provençal rosès:
Domaine de la Grand Piece 2015 Côtes de Provence
Domaine de la Fouquette Rosé Cuvée Rosée d’Aurore 2015
Château Pompillia 2015 Côtes de Provence
For a Provençal summer meal starring these bottles, I’d consider making this Tomato Tart with Tarragon Mustard from Mimi Thorisson. This year my kids and I planted half a dozen heirloom tomato plants in our garden. They aren’t ready yet, too early in our Midwestern growing season, but the beauty I expect from them would be lovely for the tart.
Also in my garden is a corner dedicated to greens, fresh and delicate. On the side of the tart I’d serve a generous handful of these darlings with this Herbs de Provence Salad Dressing from Eye Candy Popper.
I have memories of meals in Provence, seved with rosé: grilled octopus, roasted chicken from the market, a large stalk of seasoned asparagus, a simple snack of salted almonds. I’ve had Provence rosé in Lyon with steak frites…in Paris with Jambon Iberico, at home with a baguette and olives. I can’t recall a time that rosè wasn’t a suitable match. We’ve even served it at Thanksgiving dinner.
I’m excited to see if other wine-lovers find such food-friendliness from thier bottles:
Saturday, June 11, the Wine Pairing Weekend group will gather at 11 am Eastern Time (8 am Pacific) on Twitter to chat about the food and wine pairings we prepared. It’s loads of fun and you will meet all kinds of interesting people — in addition to gathering wickedly delicious food and wine pairing ideas. Please join the conversation by following #winePW on Twitter.
As usual, we have an interesting list of pairings.
Camilla from Culinary Adventures with Camilla pairs Rose Petal-Strawberry Granita with Luc Belaire Rare Rosé
Cindy from Grape Experiences will share Wine and Dine: Galil Mountain Rose and Mixed Olive Tapenade
Jill from L’occasion is contemplating Provençal Rosé and a Summer Supper
Martin from Enofylz Wine Blog pairs Chicken and Sausage Paella Paired with a Unicorn Rosé
Wendy from A Day in the Life on the Farm prepares a Seafood Boil featuring Domaine Houchart Cotes de Provence Rose 2015 #WinePW
Jade from Tasting Pour shares Labneh (Kefir) Cheescake with Strawberries & Del Rio Rose Jolee
Michelle from Rockin Red Blog will be Kicking Off Summer with National Rosé Day
David from Cooking Chat pairs Grilled Arctic Char with Pineapple Salsa
Lori from Dracaena Wines discusses Are You Impatient? You Could Have Created Rosé
Lauren from The Swirling Dervish considers Where Sicily and Mendoza Meet: Stuffed Roasted Calamari and 2015 Perlita Rosado. June’s #winePW Adventure
Meaghan from Un Assaggio shares Cheeky Pairings: Cod Burger + Rosé #WinePW
Gwendolyn from Art Predator travels Around the World With Rose
Pete and Nancy from Pull That Cork pair A Corsican Rosé and Summer Veggie Pizza for #winePW
Our July event will be hosted by Jeff at foodwineclick, who has chosen Pairings with Sherry as the theme.
For more on Provence rosé here on L’occasion, enjoy these stories:
Provence in the City: Simply Provence Wine
Winemakers of Les Baux-de-Provence Celebrate 20 Years
Vins de Provence Annual Competition
Cheers, and thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this post, considering voting for L’occasion in the Wine Blog Awards. L’occasion is up for two awards, Best Overall and Best Writing. Vote Here!
I love Rosé, sparkling or not. My favorite wine of summer and I drink it with just about any meal, Had tonight with scallops.
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I am very jealous. Provence wines are some of my favourite and the pink ones are my most favourite. Chateau la Tour de l’Eveque and more simple ones like Carte Noire and Sables d’Azur by Gassier are always on chill here. I’m living vicariously through your stories. Have been there a few years ago and lust to return. Thanks. Oh yeah, agree with apuginthekitchen above that they do pair well with food and you don’t have to get too technical on the match – just enjoy.
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I am learning to love these rosés from Provence. Thanks for giving me 3 more to try.
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All in a day’s work! Thanks for reading and commenting!
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I love rosés from Provence. I would love to Provence some day!
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So gorgeous, Provence!
Thanks for reading and commenting!
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Nice post, makes me look forward to visiting Provence! Cheers!
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Cheers! Thanks for hosting. Love this topic!
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Best of luck in your studies! I’m sure it is thrilling and stressful at the same time. Love tomato tarts!
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Cheers! Thank you!
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Rose research is the kind I could definitely get behind.
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We need more interns!
Cheers!
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I don’t think I had anything else but Rose when I was in Provence 🙂
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And upon return, the “addiction” continues! Thanks for reading and commenting!
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I’d love to visit the Rose Research Center, too! Let’s go!! Thanks, Jill- an informative article!! Cheers~ Cindy
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Field trip!
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Congrats on the WBA nomination Jill. That’s fantastic! You are certainly worthy of nomination. I immensely enjoy your writing. As for this post! Fantastic. I love the idea of a summer tomatoes salad. And after reading some of the post from yesterday I was so tempted to do grilled octopus today! Unfortunately the day got away from me! You can be I’ll be grilling some soon and pairing it with Rosé!
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Thank you, Martin! What a lovely note.
I’ve never grilled octopus myself, but I have to say it was exquisite at Maison Drouot in St. Remy de-Provence (http://maisondrouot.blogspot.com/). So fine and fresh. You must take a picture when you make it… and tell us about where you bought it. Cheers!
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I am fascinated by the Rosé Research Center. If you ever get inside, you’ll have to write an exposé! Really liked your suggested pairings, too.
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I’d love to write about a trip inside. I’m definitely working on it!
Thanks for reading and commenting!
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I am going to have dreams of the meals in Provence that you described!! Grilled octopus and Rosé is going on my summer dinner plans 😉
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Have you grilled octopus? When you do, you must share!
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I haven’t yet, but I will most certainly share when I do!
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Rosé is one of my favourite kind of wine, but I don’t think I’ve ever tasted one from Provence! It sounds delicious, given the great climate there.
Thank you so much for sharing my vinaigrette link with your readers 🙂
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