This month’s wine club box features three wines from France. France is one of the most famous wine producing countries in the world and we are pleased to present a selection from some of the lesser known regions. This selection has a delicious rose from Provence, a red blend from the tiny region of Ventoux, and a classic Cabernet Franc from Chinon.
Domaine Gavoty ‘Grand Classique’ Côtes de Provence Rosé 2022
Domaine de Fenouillet Ventoux Rouge 2021
Château du Petit Thouars ‘Les Georges’ Chinon Rouge 2021
This rosé, a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, and a splash of Carignan, is quintessential Provence rosé. An elegant and mouthwatering wine, it is bursting with notes of strawberry, honeydew melon, river rocks, and rose petal. Fresh and balanced, this bottle is perfect for drinking in the sunshine and pairs wonderfully with spicy fish tacos.
The Producer: Domaine Gavoty
Roselyne Gavoty oversees Domaine Gavoty, a 110-hectare estate along the Issole River that has been in her family since 1806. Set amidst oak and pine forests, Domaine Gavoty cultivates 50 hectares of vineyards. The family has practiced organic and low-intervention farming techniques for decades and was recently awarded an organic certification. Roselyne and her team are known for their carefully crafted and delightful rosé wines, but produce red and white wines as well.
The Region: Provence
Provence, which is renowned for its stunning landscapes and Mediterranean climate, is a leading region in rosé wine production and perhaps the only region in the world that is most famous for rosé wines over other styles. With a focus on grape varieties like Grenache and Cinsault, Provence produces delicate and vibrant rosés cherished for their refreshing flavors of red berries and citrus. Utilizing gentle pressing techniques, these wines capture the essence of Provence’s terroir, offering a crisp and elegant expression of its sun-drenched vineyards.
This red blend, consisting of 75% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 5% Carignan, hails from Ventoux in the Southern Rhône. The grapes are sourced from three different terroirs and this wine has all of the hallmarks of the Southern Rhône with notes of macerated raspberries, ripe red cherries, blackberries, garrigue, lavender, and white pepper. Pair this wine with a cheeseburger fresh off the grill.
The Producer: Domaine de Fenouillet
Patrick and Vincent Soard, descendants of a long line of winemakers, own and run a distinguished estate located in Beaumes de Venise, nestled near Mont Ventoux and the Dentelles de Montmirail. Their family’s viticultural legacy dates back to their great-grandfather, Casimir Soard, whose wines earned accolades as early as 1902. In 1988, encouraged by their mother, Patrick and Vincent embarked on revitalizing the estate’s reputation, constructing cellars to produce and market their own range of wines.
The Region: Ventoux
Ventoux is a significant wine region nestled in the southeastern part of the southern Rhône and adjacent to Provence. The area’s wines, akin to those of Côte du Rhône, predominantly feature Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre grapes for reds and rosés, with white wines crafted from Clairette, Bourboulenc, and Grenache Blanc. Ventoux benefits from abundant sunlight and cooler temperatures due to altitude, and its wines boast a lighter, fruit-forward style, distinct from their neighboring regions.
This 100% Cabernet Franc wine is named in honor of vigneron Sebastién’s ancestors, nearly all of whom are named George (in fact, his birth name is George, too). Vinified and aged in stainless steel, this is classic Chinon and a quintessential Parisian bistro wine. Fresh and fruit forward, it has notes of bright red cherry, fresh green peppercorn, bell pepper, and spice. Pair with hangar steak au poivre.
The Producer: Château du Petit Thouars
Chateau du Petit Thouars boasts a rich history dating back to the early 1500s when it served as a hunting lodge for a wealthy family from Thouars. Today, Sebastién du Petit Thouars, the twelfth-generation owner, continues the legacy established by his ancestor George in 1636. The estate’s clay-limestone soils offer ideal conditions for crafting structured red wines and exceptional Chenin Blanc. Embracing organic viticulture under the management of Michel Pinard, a Chinon native with extensive experience, the estate combines tradition with youthful enthusiasm, producing classic Chinon wines of remarkable quality and expressiveness.
The Region: Chinon
Chinon is a historic wine region, located in the Loire Valley. Viticulture in this area traces back to the Gallo-Roman era, benefiting from its strategic location along the Vienne River, a key trading route upstream from its confluence with the Loire. Chinon is primarily known for its Cabernet Franc wines, though the region produces a small amount of Chenin Blanc as well.
