Winemaker Notes
A great Rose to enjoy on its own or with a wide range of appetizers, fish, poultry dishes and vegetarian fare.
Jean-Luc Colombo: Give the best from each of the most beautiful terroirs
Jean-Luc Colombo's childhood dream of becoming a winemaker and viticulturist came to fruition in the early 1980s with the acquisition of his first vineyard, a small plot of old Syrah vines perched on a granite hill overlooking the village of Cornas. From there was born the first vintage of Cornas "Les Ruchets." Early success led to the quick acquisition of more vineyards in the Northern Rhône and Provence. Throughout his journey Jean-Luc has remained true to his passion for winemaking and committed to his guiding principle: respecting nature and the unique qualities of each terroir.
Cornas is the heart and soul of Jean-Luc Colombo. A small appellation spanning 120 hectares of craggy terraces overlooking the Rhone river. It is where Syrah has found its most profound and pure expression of character, and it remains the sole grape variety cultivated throughout the appellation. A unique terroir, well-preserved in the midst of a forest of green oaks and junipers, lends depth and minerality to the wines. Not forgetting his origins Jean-Luc returned to his home region of Provence in the early 2000s. Near the Gulf of Marseille, in the limestone hills facing the Mediterranean Sea in an area locally known as Cote Bleue (Blue Coast), he purchased parcels of land from various proprietors which allowed him to create a new vineyard.
Living amidst their vineyards in Cornas, Jean-Luc and Anne have always been committed to preserving their environment by working in harmony with nature's abundance. Maintaining an ecosystem where insects, animals and vines coexist and thrive is paramount to them. As such, organic methods have been employed in their vineyards for many years. Additionally, Jean-Luc is a firm believer of dry farming. Irrigation is strictly prohibited in the vineyards, encouraging deep rooting of the vines, allowing for the full and pure expression of the terroir in accordance with the unique characteristics of each vintage.
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.
More than just a European vacation hotspot and rosé capital of the world, Provence, in southeastern France, is a coastal appellation producing interesting wines of all colors. The warm, breezy Mediterranean climate is ideal for grape growing and the diverse terrain and soil types allow for a variety of wine styles within the region. Adjacent to the Rhône Valley, Provence shares some characteristics with this northwestern neighbor—namely, the fierce mistral wind and the plentiful wild herbs (such as rosemary, lavender, juniper and thyme) often referred to as garrigue. The largest appellation here is Côtes de Provence, followed by Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence.
Provence is internationally acclaimed for dry, refreshing, pale-hued rosé wines, which make up the vast majority of the region’s production. These are typically blends, often dominated by Mourvèdre and supplemented by Grenache, Cinsault, Tibouren and other varieties.
A small amount of full-bodied, herbal white wine is made here—particularly from the Cassis appellation, of Clairette and Marsanne. Other white varieties used throughout Provence include Roussane, Sémillon, Vermentino (known locally as Rolle) and Ugni Blanc.
Perhaps the most interesting wines of the region, however, are the red wines of Bandol. Predominantly Mourvèdre, these are powerful, structured, and ageworthy wines with lush berry fruit and savory characteristics of earth and spice.