The Wine Maker Series 9 - Crus Classé of the Appellation Côtes de Provence: Chateau Roubine

When mentioning Provence, what would come up to your mind immediately?  The purple Lavander field?  The sunny sky and blue sea?  The delicious seafood?  The pretty castles? 

In fact, Provence, locating at the southeastern France on the Mediterranean Sea adjacent to Italy, is one of the important wine production areas in France.

Provence has eight major wine regions with AOC designations. The Côtes de Provence is the largest followed by Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence. Other significant wine regions include Les Baux-de-Provence, Coteaux Varois, Coteaux de Pierrevert, Bandol, Cassis, Bellet and Palette.

With its sunny, warm, dry Mediterranean climate and the terroirs characteristics, the most well made examples of Provence wine have flavors and aromas that reflect the garrigue landscape of the region which includes wild lavender, rosemary and thyme. The rosé of the region are normally dry with zestiness derived from their acidity. The red and whites are characterized by their full bodies and intense aromatics.

It may to your surprise, half of the rosé wine made in France is coming from Provence!  And 80% of the wine made in Provence is rosé.  Rosé de Provence are dry and fruity, which are perfect as summer wine, for aperitif or with a salad. 

Chateau Roubine - the Crus Classé

Located in the heart of the Var in the appellation Côtes de Provence, Château Roubine is one of the 14 Provence wine estates awarded the designation of Crus Classé in 1953.  The Château Roubine vineyard, all in one piece, nurtures an impressive array of 13 grape varieties due to the benefit of the vineyards’ prestigious terroir.

Natural irrigation (“Roubine” means stream in Provençal dialect), ideal east-west exposure and clay-chalky soil has created the optimal conditions for the growing of high quality grapes so crucial to the production of the estate’s prized white, rosé, and red wines.

On 26 Oct 2008 (Sunday) night, we are going to meet with the wine maker from the Chateau Roubine and to taste 6 lovely wines (2 rosé, 2 white, 1 red and 1 late harvest) from this vineyard matching with a 5-course delicious French dinner at the Rive Droite Rive Gauche. 

The wine list and dinner menu are as follows:

Salmon tartar marinate with white balsamic, fresh chives and dill  
- Château Roubine Cru Classé Cuvée Classique Rosé 2007 (Cinsault/Grenache/Cabernet-Sauvignon with a pinch of Carignan, Tibouren, Syrah, and Mourvèdre)
- Château Roubine Cru Classé Cuvée Prestige Terre de Croix Rosé 2007 (Mourvèdre/Syrah)

Yellowfin tuna marinated with citrus fruites, baby rocket and mango couli 
- Château Roubine Cru Classé Cuvée Classique 2007 Blanc (Ugnic-blanc / Sémillon / Rolle / Clairette)

Madallian foie-gras with caramalized peach, yellow frisse and brioche bread
- Château Roubine Cru Classé Cuvée Terre de Croix Blanc 2006 (Sémillon)

Traditional beef bourguignon simmered in red wine, mushroom, carrots served with gratin potato
- Château Roubine Cru Classé Tête de Cuvée Rouge 2005 (Syrah/Grenache/Cab.  Sauvignon)

Dessert
- Château Roubine Cru Classé Cuvée Douceur d’Automne (Late Harvest Sémillon)

Tea or coffee

Posted by sophie on October 16th, 2008 filed in 品酒聚會, Wine Tasting