PICTURED: 20th edition, special label, signed bottle

Who doesn’t like a good Provençal rosé?

If you’ve put your hand up, you may not be our people!

JK, you like what you like and that’s totally fine with us. But let’s be honest, there is always a time and place for light, bright, fruit-forward rosé. And if you’re looking for a bone-dry option that matches this profile, then rosé from Provence is your ticket.

Over the past 15 years, not only has the interest in rosé wines grown tremendously, but in particular, the interest in wines from the Provence region in coastal southern France has been especially noteworthy. The idea of “drink pink” is quite literally tied to this style of rosé wine and has exploded all over social media.

There is good reason. These wines are produced in a style that offers refreshment and a relaxed day-at-pool/ocean/beach vibe that almost everyone is drawn to. Most Provençal rosé is not demanding or fussy - but it is well made, tasty, suited to be served chilled, broadly available in the market, lower in alcohol and designed to be served chilled. In other words, it is exactly what many consumers these days are looking for!

If you are in the market for a Provençal rosé, you can’t go wrong with Whispering Angel. Widely available in most major markets, Whispering Angel has experienced runaway success in the last 20 years and for good reason. This is a consistently well-made, crowd-pleasing wine.

About the producer

Whispering Angel is made by Chateau d’Esclans in Provence, and represents an entry-level offering in this producer’s product suite. While there are several wines in the Chateau d’Esclans portfolio which are highly regarded and considered to be serious, critically acclaimed wines, Whispering Angel is a more affordable and generally accessible option. This is not to say that Whispering Angel is not a high quality product - it too has been awarded many accolades by wine critics and professional wine awards/judges and it is credited as being one of the most successful rosé brands globally. Some sources credit Whispering Angel as being a key reason behind the wide and sweeping success of the rosé category over the past 20 years. You don’t get to this level of recognition and success without having a great quality product.

The story behhind Chateau d’Esclans is an interesting one. Revived in 2006, it was purchased by Sacha Lichine, a known figure in the wine world who has ties to Chateau Prieuré-Lichine, a fourth growth cru classé estate in Margaux, Bordeaux. Lichine’s father established Prieuré-Lichine and he ran the estate for almost 10 years after his father’s death, before selling it and then purchasing Chateau d’Esclans with a vision of creating the world’s best rosé brand. Most industry insiders would agree that Lichine has accomplished what he set out to achieve!

Today, Chateau d’Esclans is partly owned by LVMH, while Sacha Lichine continues to hold a significant minority interest. Importantly, Chateau d’Esclans remains a brand to watch in the world of wine!

Click here to learn more about Chateau d’Esclans.

Wineitupanotch Tasting Notes

This wine is made from a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Vermentino and Syrah. It is produced using a method known as ‘direct press’ wherein the grapes are crushed and pressed quite quickly, leaving the must in contact with the grape skins for a very short period of time prior to fermentation, which is where the very light colour and comparatively light taste comes from.

Pouring a pale salmon in the glass, this wine delivers refreshing notes of grapefruit pith, sun-kissed berries and cream and white florals, alongside elevated refreshing acidity and a clean fruity and mineral finish. While this is quite a commercial offering that has broad appeal, it will not disappoint. It really does take you back to your favourite moment in the sun by the sea or the pool on a sun-drenched summer day!

According to Château d’Esclans, Whispering Angel is fermented and aged in temperature controlled stainless steel vessels, which helps to ensure the wine’s clean and fruity profile. The winemakers also note that the finished wine is aged on lees for several months, with bâtonnage occuring twice weekly, which helps explain the wine’s smooth, rounded mid-palate and fuller mouthfeel.

Wine it up a notch by pairing this wine with charcuterie and cheese, summer salads, raw or lightly cooked seafood or a summer fruit platter.

Here’s to enjoying good times and good wines!

Cheers, Friends!