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Wine Word of the Week: “Vin de Pays”!

This week’s Wine Word of the Week is Vin de Pays and was suggested by Meiers Tambeau of Atlanta, GA. Thanks for the suggestion, Meiers!

Vin de Pays, or “country wine” in French, is one of the levels of the French wine classification system. It was created in 1973 and finalized in 1979 with the goal of creating a classification which recognized and encouraged the production of wines superior to basic vin de table wines while also acknowledging the wine’s regional identity. Vin de pays is one level above Vin de Table (table wine) but below Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) and is the French national equivalent of the Europe-wide IGP or Indication Géographique Protégée (Protected Geographical Region).

For a wine to qualify as Vin de Pays it must conform to the standards of the classification and meet certain criteria. The wine cannot be blended, it must be produced in limited quantities, it must be made of certain specified grape varieties, it must reach a certain minimum alcoholic strength, it must come from a specified geographic region and it must be submitted to and approved by a tasting panel. The Vin de Pays classification benefits both producers and consumers in that it gives the consumers clarity regarding the wine’s provenance and it allows producers the opportunity to produce wines outside the strict constraints of the traditional AOC laws. Perhaps the most significant to consumers here in the US is that wines classified as Vin de Pays are permitted to label the wine according to the grape variety. This allows consumers the opportunity to purchase a French wine labeled with a grape variety they are probably familiar with such as Chardonnay, Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon.

The Vin de Pays classification is further subdivided into three levels of geographic specificity. The top regional level has six divisions which roughly correspond to existing wine regions. These include: Vin De Pays du Jardin de la France (Loire); Vin De Pays de L’Atlantique (Bordeaux, Dordogne, Charentais); Vin de Pays du Comte Tolosan (South-West); Vin De Pays d’Oc (Languedoc-Roussillon); Vin De Pays Portes de Mediterranee (Provence and Corsica); and Vin De Pays des Comtes Rhodaniens (Rhone Valley, Beaujolais, and Savoie). The Languedoc-Roussillon produces more than three-quarters of all Vin de Pays wine and in 2006, it made five times more Vin de Pays than AOC wine produced that year.

About 80% of Vin de Pays wines are red, while white and rosé make up the balance. All of these wines are produced from 300 pre-approved grape varieties which are comprised mostly of International varieties (i.e. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir). Under the 2009 changes, a Vin De Pays grape variety must comprise at least 85% of the stated variety on the label; where two varieties are stated on the label, they must constitute the full 100% of the blend.

Thanks again for your suggestion, Meiers, and I hope that helps! If you (yes, YOU) would like to suggest a word for our Wine Word of the Week segment, please leave it in the comment section below or on our Facebook Fan Page which you can access by clicking here. If we use your word, your name will be entered into our monthly drawing to win one month of The Wine Atelier’s “Explorateur” Wine Club but remember – you have to play to win so make your suggestion now!

Cheers,

4 Rosés that will have you Thinking Pink this Summer!

Lilly Pulitzer Dress? Check. Nantucket red pants? Check. Great friends, music and food? Check.

What’s missing from this idyllic Summer soirée? A bottle of crisp, refreshing rosé wine of course! If your Summer celebration is minus the most important accessory of the season, The Glamorous Gourmet is here to help. Summer is the perfect time to enjoy these wines which are refreshing, flavorful and extremely food friendly. Here are four wines that will definitely have you thinking pink this Summer.

But first, a word about rosé. While rosé is considered de rigueur in the tony Summer destinations such as The Hamptons and Saint-Tropez, many wine lovers in the US are reluctant to embrace “pink wines” and are missing out on some of the season’s most stylish vinous offerings! Here’s the skinny on how to tell the good pink stuff from the uh…not so good. Provence has long been considered the birthplace of rosé and is largely the benchmark by which rosé is measured. Provençal rosés are classically light pink in color and dry in style with a refreshing, food friendly acidity. These wines differ dramatically from White Zinfandel and “blush” wines which are mass produced and loaded with sugar, resembling fruit punch more than any wine I can think of. In order to avoid contact with the latter when purchasing or ordering wine in a restaurant specify you’d like a “dry, Provençal-style rosé” which are available at a variety of price points. With so many great values out there – why settle for less?

One of my favorite producers of rosés is Chateau D’Esclans, whose wines hail from the Cotes de Provence AOC in France. This estate produces four different types of rosé which are each very different in character; for more detail on all of Chateau d’Esclans’s four offerings, please click here. One of my favorites of the four to enjoy during the Summer (it’s very hard to chose just one!) is the 2011 Chateau D’Esclans Côtes de Provence Rosé,$30, which most closely represents a classic rosé from this region. This wine is a blend of 85% Grenache and 15% Rolle from 30-80 year old vines that is partly vinified in stainless steel as well as demi muids which gives the wine its complexity and structure. This rosé is a beautiful, light pink color with aromas of red berries and spice while on the palate, the delightfully creamy mouthfeel is accompanied by flavors of strawberry, cherry and white pepper. Ah, Summer in a glass!

Due north of Provence, high up in the hills near Gigondas in France’s Rhône Valley, is a relatively new wine producer called Chêne Bleu. Named for the estate’s giant blue oak tree, the estate was purchased in 1992 by Xavier Rolet who, together with his wife Nicole, sister Benedicte Gallucci and bother-in-law Jean Louis Gallucci spent the last 10 years renovating a medieval property and restructuring 400 year old vineyards, located at 1,700 feet elevation, to create a state of the art, boutique winery that is definitely a family affair. After 15 years of renovations, 2006 marked the first vintage from the estate, with only a few wines produced from the classic Rhone grape varieties – lucky for us, rosé was one of them! The 2012 Chêne Bleu Rosé, $25, is a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault with aromas of strawberry, rhubarb and a hint of lavender. On the palate, fresh red berries and a hit of citrus accompany a refreshing acidity and mild tannins.

Now, how about a delicious rosé from the USA? The 2012 Copain Tous Ensemble Rosé, $22, is made from 100% Pinot Noir from the Anderson Valley in Medocino County, California. The Anderson Valley is becoming more widely recognized for producing quality wines crafted from the Pinot Noir grape and why should rosé be any exception? Copain’s winemaker, Wells Guthrie, has long been enamored of French wines, particularly those from the Rhone Valley. After living there for a time and learning from some of the best he now creates a beautiful portfolio of wines firmly rooted in California yet with a distinct European influence. The Copain Tous Ensemble Rosé has a beautiful salmon pink color and enticing aromas of red berries, spice and a touch of minerality. On the palate, notes of strawberry, cherry and citrus zest are accompanied by a lovely, refreshing acidity and dry finish.

Hailing from California’s Central Coast is the delightful 2012 Cline Cellars Mourvèdre Rosé, $12. Mourvèdre is a relatively rare grape in California and Cline makes four different styles of wine from it, including this lovely rosé. The grapes come from Cline’s historic Oakley ranch in Contra Costa County where the century-old vines grow in the deep sandy soil and the cool winds blow off the San Joaquin and Sacramento Rivers allowing the grapes to retain their bright acidity. This wine is made as a Blanc de Noir or “white of a red grape,” in the style of a white wine. The skins are removed by pressing before fermentation begins and the wine extracts a small amount of color, and a little of the tannin, from the red grape skins. On the nose, aromas of pomegranate and cherry are balanced by a delicate hint of sweet anise while on the palate, flavors of raspberry, cherry and vanilla notes are very appealing.

While rosé is perfect for sipping on its own on a hot Summer day, these wines are also incredibly food friendly. They pair well with a variety of cuisine especially grilled or smoked salmon, charcuterie or even dishes such as roasted chicken. A classic French dish that pairs particularly well with rosé is Pan Bagna, a sandwich that consists of tuna, Kalamata olives, fresh tomatoes and hard boiled eggs to name just a few ingredients. It’s much like a Salade Niçoise just served as a sandwich, please click here for the delicious recipe.

I hope you have a chance to enjoy these wines during your Summer adventures. To purchase any of the above rosés, please visit The Wine Atelier by clicking here.

Cheers,