Winemaker Notes
Invitingly flavorful and refreshingly crisp, Fleur de Mer Rosé captures the serene artistry of Provence's idyllic, sunny coastal shores and fragrant, floral hillsides. A classic, silky smooth Provençal Rosé, Fleur de Mer opens with aromas of white peach and summer strawberries, complemented by hints of florals. These notes carry through on the bright, expressive palate, layered with raspberry and cranberry characteristics framed by Fleur de Mer's hallmark crisp, refreshing hints of salinity, reminiscent of sea spray.
Versatile and food-friendly, enjoy Fleur de Mer on its own or alongside a wide range of dishes, from creamy goat cheeses, charcuterie and fresh green salads to grilled chicken with herbs, roasted pork tenderloin or fresh seafood dishes.
Blend: 36% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, 15% Carignan, 10% Mourvèdre, 6% Syrah, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Other Select Varieties
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Pretty, fruity aromas and flavors are saturated in salinity as well, showing light stony, chalky elements with fresh acidity and a linear, appetizing expression. Medium-bodied with great balance and charm.
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.
Cotes de Provence is an extensive but valuable appellation that includes vineyards bordering the main Provencal appellations. Its sites vary from subalpine hills, which receive the cooling effects of the mountains to the north, to the coastal St-Tropez, a region mainly influenced by the warm Mediterranean sunshine.
Here the focus is on quality rosé, as it defines four fifths of the region’s wines. Following in the rosé footsteps, a lot of new effort is going into the region’s red production as well. A new generation has turned its focus on high quality Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Carignan. Cotes de Provence white wines, which represent a miniscule part of the region as far as volume, are nonetheless worthy of consideration and can include any combination of Clairette, Semillon, Ugni Blanc and Vermentino.