Winemaker Notes
A direct-press rosé based on Mourvèdre from parcels chosen for this rosé, harvested by hand, and aged in tank. Frémillant is an old Occitane word referring to light red wine, and this is not a pale Provençal rosé--rather, it is a deliciously bone dry, character-filled rosé made by an artisanal family in the upper Minervois.
Blend: 40% Mourvèdre, 30% Cinsault, 20% Grenache, 10% Syrah
Whether it’s playful and fun or savory and serious, most rosé today is not your grandmother’s White Zinfandel, though that category remains strong. Pink wine has recently become quite trendy, and this time around it’s commonly quite dry. Since the pigment in red wines comes from keeping fermenting juice in contact with the grape skins for an extended period, it follows that a pink wine can be made using just a brief period of skin contact—usually just a couple of days. The resulting color depends on grape variety and winemaking style, ranging from pale salmon to deep magenta.
Recognized for its concentrated and sultry reds made predominantly of Carignan, Grenache and Syrah, this western Languedoc appellation is also famous for the charming and delicate fortified Vin Doux Naturel called Muscat de St. Jean de Minervois. The dry rosé and white wines of Minervois are also worth seeking out.