As the dog days of summer have made an early arrival wine drinkers look for wines to keep them cool, that are lighter in body and that still have character and complexity. Rose wines fit that bill and in the southern France region of Provence, rose is king. An exciting Provencal projects comes from two of Burgundies leading producers, Jaques Seysses founder of Dom. Dujac and Aubert de Villaine co-owner of Dom. de la Romanee-Conti purchased a 46 hectare estate along with friend Michel Macaux in 1989.

The hot days and cool nights along with the vineyards southern exposure and clay & limestone soil reminded the 3 of the terroir of Burgundy & St. Emilion and they felt it would be perfect for grapes for their rose and other wines. With a master plan that included building a new wine making facility, grafting pre-existing Cinsault vines to other red & white grape vines and pruning vines by as much as 50% increase quality and complexity.

The result is more than 10 red, white and rose wines. The 2012 rose come from free run juice and is pale and pink comes mostly from Cinsault with smaller proportions of Syrah, Grenache and Merlot. With only a few hours of skin contact and stainless steel fermentation this wine is fresh, smooth and elegant. The grapes are harvested at night when the grapes are at their coolest. Dry, crisp and light strawberries and flowers are present on the nose and palate with a hint of vanilla this wine would go great with salads, cheese or it would be perfect by itself on a lazy summer afternoon. It’s a perfect example of rose from Provence and the perfect way to keep cool without losing the character of Cinsault and other grapes they use.