Rosé de Provence wines are made to last longer

So it can be done; leaving rosé wines longer. People often think that a rosé should be from the last year, but winemakers in Provence are proving that it can be done differently. Ten to 15 years ago, it was still recommended to drink rosé wine the same year, but with the development of new techniques, the technological improvement of all equipment in the cellar and the strong will of women and men in Provence to produce the best rosé in the world, a lot has changed. Rosé de Provence wines, known for their delicate aromas and refined flavours, are excellent even after two or even three years, and very occasionally you come across a rosé de Provence as much as five years or older, still with the same freshness and aromas. Thanks to continuous improvement in production and a deep understanding of rosé wine making, consumers can leave their favourite rosé de Provence for longer, without their quality diminishing. We put the issue to two wine experts. 

In Provence, winemakers faced the issue of the shelf life of rosé wines centuries ago, not least because they were the first to export rosé wines to the other side of the world. In other words, they knew when the wine was coming out of their cellars, but not when it would be drunk. They also took into account the relative fragility of rosé wines, with their delicate aromas. Especially in recent years, they have mastered the most technical processes, making great progress: they work faster and, where possible, away from the air to minimise contact between the juices and oxygen. The aim is to protect the wine from oxidation and heat so that it develops very slowly, very gradually. Provence winemakers do this by harvesting at night, by controlling the temperature from the vineyard to the cellar and by using inert gas to protect the juice and wine. In addition to this production process, they make blends between different grape varieties, creating an excellent balanced wine that gets the best out of each grape. 

Master of Wine Cees van Casteren is happy to explain: "One of the preconceptions about rosé is that you should drink it as quickly as possible, but that only applies to entry-level wines. What many people don't realise is that Provence is the only region in the world that specialises in rosé; this allows winemakers to make rosés of excellent quality that are best left in the cellar for a while, so you can enjoy them in autumn or winter too."  

Janna Rijpma, wine expert and Provence specialist adds: "Many rosés are made to be drunk young, fresh and cold. It is a typical 'lifestyle' wine, which has gained huge appeal partly due to social media. But if you see a nice bottle of rosé de Provence in the shop from a year older, the winemaker and wine shop have certainly determined that it is excellent and the right time to drink it."  

What was once seen as a normal summer wine has been transformed by the expertise of Provençal winemakers in developing the process over the past decade.

5 tips from Janna Rijpma for buying a mature Rosé de Provence:

About Provence 

Provence stretches for almost 200 kilometres between the Mediterranean Sea and the Alps. Its unique landscape is characterised by a varied area of natural landscapes, rocky and volcanic mountain ranges and a coastline along the azure Mediterranean Sea.

The first traces of viticulture in Provence go back thousands of years, and at the beginning of the 20th century, vintners in the region decided to unite and pool their knowledge. Provence, comprising the three AOPs Côtes de Provence, Coteaux d'Aix en Provence and Coteaux Varois en Provence, is the only wine region in the world that specialises 90 per cent in producing rosé wines. Each of the three appellations has different climatic and geographical conditions, leading to a diverse selection of rosé wines and great variety in style. In addition to the age-old knowledge and traditions of the winemakers, since 1999 with the creation of the Centre du Rosé, the quality of the wines has increased even more.

There are 18 different grape varieties grown in Provence. The three main grape varieties for rosé wines are grenache, cinsault and syrah. Blending wines is tradition in this region, it allows to get the best out of each variety. It ensures perfect harmony between the grape varieties and, in addition to soil and climate conditions, gives the wines their characteristics and many nuances.

For more information: www.vinsdeprovence.com

Where does the myth that rosé can only be drunk in summer come from?
This myth comes from the 19th and 20th centuries, when tourism became increasingly popular. At that time, agriculture was in decline and the main holiday season shifted to summer. Rosé wine was popular on holidays in southern France because of its refreshing nature in hot weather, and people took this summer experience home with them. It is a shame to limit enjoyment in this way!