2014 Domaine Saint Mitre Papillon Rose, 6-bottle Lot

Domaine Saint Mitre is in Saint Maximin la Sainte Baume, about an hour drive northeast of Marseille. The 75-acre estate dates from the early 19th century and is today owned and operated by Nelly and Daniel Martin, with their daughter Virginie and her husband Phillippe Poiron. The domaine specializes in rosé and white wines and grows Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault, Rolle, Ugni Blanc, Viognier, Marselan, Merlot and Chardonnay. The estate has won numerous awards at international wine competitions, and produces wines in the appellations Coteaux Varois en Provence and Vin de Pays du Var. Of special note is the collection of Cuvée Papillon Vin de Pays du Var wines, including the 2014 Cuvée Papillon Rosé, which won the Silver Medal at the 2015 Concours International de Lyon, a major wine competition. The winemaker notes that the collection of “butterfly” wines are excellent to serve with light meals and appetizers, or to add to a picnic basket.

Provence is the region on the Mediterranean coast of southeastern France known for sun-drenched Lavender fields and an easy-going, gracious attitude toward life. Until the last few decades it was also known for producing large quantities of unremarkable rosé, often sold in bulk. Today its most famous wines are still rosés, but their quality has improved dramatically. Notable red wines are also being made in Provence, particularly in Bandol, a tiny appellation east of Marseille. The largest appellation is Côtes de Provence. Other appellations include Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, Côtes du Luberon, Cassis, Bellet, Palette and Les Baux de Provence. Red and white wines are made throughout the region, despite the attention paid to rosé. Red wine grapes grown in Provence are Carignan, Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah and some Cabernet Sauvignon. White wine grapes are Clairette, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Bourboulenc and Ugni Blanc.

40% Syrah, 25% Cinsault, 20% Grenache and 15% Merlot.