"A classic, pale rose-gold rosé. Very pretty herbal notes and delicate red fruits on the nose followed by a rich, vinous quality on the palate; fresh, moreish acidity and a flavoursome, powerful finish. A classy, vibrant Provence rosé. Grenache 30%, Cinsault 30%, Syrah 25%"
Meet the ProducerOn the outskirts of the village of Cuers, Château Gairoird is a 45ha certified organic domaine belonging to an old Provençal noble family – the Counts of Pierrefeu – but is not at all ostentatious. Olivier Deydier de Pierrefeu, the current count and third generation of the family to remain at the estate, is a quiet and thoughtful man who took over management of Château Gairoird in 2005, focusing on organic farming and using modern methods and techniques. Château Gairoird has established a reputation for its own bottled wines, having previously sold its wines in bulk.
The climate here is Mediterranean, as you would expect, but the vines are kept cool and dry by the Mistral that blows through the vineyards. The terroir is classic Provence with free-draining, chalky-clay soil dotted with galets.
Château Gairoird produces organic wines on its 45 hectare domaine just outside the village of Cuers in the Côtes de Provence AOC. Here Olivier Duffort grows numerous Provence cépages including Grenache, Cinsault, Rolle, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Tibouren on typical Provence terroir; well draining, stony limestone-clay soil - gravoches - which is perfect for classic Provence rosé. Harvested by night to make this rosé de presse, the juice is cool-fermented for 2-3 weeks in stainless steel tanks, then stays on its fine lees until bottling in January. Côtes de Provence rosé is all about the blend and up to 10 other varieties in tiny proportions go into this wine.
