Rosé wines

Are there rosé wines meant for aging or for fine dining ?

Absolutely! It's a common misconception that's hard to shake, but there are indeed rosé wines meant for aging and gastronomic rosés that offer a complexity and structure worthy of great red or white wines.
These rosés are clearly distinct from "summer" rosés intended to be drunk within the year, which are often very fruity and light.

The Rosé de Garde

A rosé meant for aging is made to be forgotten in the cellar for several years (sometimes 5 to 10 years, or even longer for some). Instead of losing their aromas, these wines gain in complexity and develop new nuances.

Characteristics of Rosé de Garde:

• Structure and Tannins: They often come from more structuring grape varieties such as Mourvèdre or Pinot Noir , and benefit from a longer maceration to extract more matter and sometimes fine tannins.

• Aging: Many are vinified and aged in oak barrels , which gives them richness, creaminess, and spicy or toasty notes that become more complex over time.

• Colour: Their colour may be more intense at first, or evolve towards more orange or coppery shades with age.

• Evolution of aromas: They go from notes of fresh red fruits to notes of candied fruits , candied citrus fruits, honey , spices , undergrowth or garrigue .

Notable Appellations for Rosé de Garde:

• Bandol (Provence): Thanks to the predominant use of the Mourvèdre grape variety, these rosés are powerful, structured, and made for aging.

• Tavel (Rhône Valley): This is the only appellation in France that produces only rosé. Their wines are structured , vinous (often darker), and have excellent aging potential.

• Palette (Provence): A small historic appellation where Château Simone produces a mythical rosé, very complex and with a very long aging potential.

• Some prestigious Côtes-de-Provence vintages: Large estates offer high-end vintages (often vinified in wood) designed for gastronomy and aging (for example, Crus Classés of Provence).

Gastronomic Rosé

Gastronomic rosé is a wine which, through its aromatic complexity and structure on the palate , is able to pair with dishes more elaborate than classic summer barbecues.

Characteristics of Gastronomic Rosé:

• Complexity: It has a rich aroma palette, often with notes of spices, flowers, or ripe fruit, and a beautiful minerality .

• Structure and Length: It has body (fat or creaminess) and a nice persistence in the mouth, which allows it to stand up to tasty dishes without fading away.

• Pairings: It is perfect for exotic cuisine (light curry, tagines), Provençal cuisine (bouillabaisse, ratatouille), fine fish (red mullet, tuna) or poultry (guinea fowl, chicken in cream sauce).

A rosé meant for aging is, by definition, also an excellent gastronomic rosé! Their structure and aromatic evolution make them perfectly suited to be served on a fine table.