La Colombiere Vin Gris 2018
Primary flavours

Cherry

Pink Grapefruit

Wild Strawberry

Anise

Hibiscus

Spiced Ginger
Details
A dry rosé, made from very rare grape Negrette, which is indigenous to a region called Fronton in the south-west of France. If this example is anything to go by, we wish there was more of it around! This rosé is generously textured, filled with flavours of red berries and strawberry. It fills out on the back palate, where some rosés might drop off. So definitely a richer style (although still refreshing!) of dry rosé with plenty of personality and complexity.
Husband and wife team Diane and Philippe Cauvin live just 30 minutes north of Toulouse, in the south of France. Here they are re-creating vinous history, painstakingly nursing a rare grape variety back from extinction. The pair is living their dream, crafting wines from Negrette, which is native to their area of Fronton. Diane took the reigns of the family estate after learning viticulture and completing a tour de force throughout French vineyards including Burgundy. The first and perhaps the most significant change was to step up the effort to preserve these rare vines by farming Chateau La Colombiere biodynamically in 2006. As the vines have been cultivated here in the same way since the 15th century, this was a significant change, to say the least. Add to this hand picking and sorting and you get the base to create something delicious. They are totally committed to their sustainable agriculture, with the focus placed on activating life in the soils by using weeds, cereal cover and ploughing. The Cauvin's prefer a 'hands-off' winemaking style, considering their efforts are best directed at the vineyard. The grapes are hand harvested and hand sorted. Diane and Philippe will maintain that it’s not rocket science. We think they’re pretty special though, and can drink these fresh and floral wines morning (responsibly), noon and night!
Husband and wife team Diane and Philippe Cauvin live just 30 minutes north of Toulouse, in the south of France. Here they are re-creating vinous history, painstakingly nursing a rare grape variety back from extinction. The pair is living their dream, crafting wines from Negrette, which is native to their area of Fronton. Diane took the reigns of the family estate after learning viticulture and completing a tour de force throughout French vineyards including Burgundy. The first and perhaps the most significant change was to step up the effort to preserve these rare vines by farming Chateau La Colombiere biodynamically in 2006. As the vines have been cultivated here in the same way since the 15th century, this was a significant change, to say the least. Add to this hand picking and sorting and you get the base to create something delicious. They are totally committed to their sustainable agriculture, with the focus placed on activating life in the soils by using weeds, cereal cover and ploughing. The Cauvin's prefer a 'hands-off' winemaking style, considering their efforts are best directed at the vineyard. The grapes are hand harvested and hand sorted. Diane and Philippe will maintain that it’s not rocket science. We think they’re pretty special though, and can drink these fresh and floral wines morning (responsibly), noon and night!
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Taste Profile
This wine’s tasting notes.
Sweetness
lowmediumhigh
Body
lightmediumfull
Fruitiness
nonesomelots
Tannins
lowmediumhigh
Acidity
lowmediumhigh
Oak
nonesomelots
Alcohol
low
(under 12%)medium
(12-14%)high
(14%+)
Taste Summary
This wine’s tasting notes are leaning towards medium bodied, low sweetness, with medium acidity, some fruitiness, low tannins, medium alcohol and some oak.
Specs
Region
Fronton
country
France
Grape type
Rosé
Wine Maker
La Colombiere
Alcohol
13%
Vintage
2018
Cellar period
1-3 years
Production method
Organic
Pairing guide
This beautiful French rose wine is an absolute winner in our books, and immediately transports us to fields of Provence, with the sparkling sea just beyond the hills. This wine loves elegant finger foods and dips - we’re talking black olive tapenade, vol-au-vents, and anything featuring artichoke, anchovy, or shrimps grilled with garlic butter. You can even pair this wine with lightly spiced Asian curries, and it will also be a lovely pairing for baked camembert and crudites.
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Food

Asian

BBQ Quail

Mexican Food
Tastes

Crisp

Fruity
Moods

Romantic
Seasons

Spring
Recipe Matches
Wine region

Fronton, France
Fronton is a region that is located in the South-West of France just outside the nearby city of Toulouse. The region has links back to Roman days when the nearby city of Montauban was a western outpost of the Roman Empire. The region is mostly known for the native Négrette which was brought by the Knights of Saint John from Cyprus. The region is mainly known for red wines and Négrette can be blended with a host of other red varieties.
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