2012 Château Minuty M de Minuty Rose, 1.5ltr

Château Minuty is in a storybook location on the peninsula of Saint-Tropez. Most of the estate’s 170 acres face the Bay of Saint-Tropez, which was no doubt one of the attractions for Gabriel Farnet, who acquired the estate in 1936. The estate had originally been planted in the 18th century, but had by the early 20th century fallen into disrepair. Farnet came from a family with three centuries of winemaking in its genes. Farnet turned the estate into one of the most admired on the Côtes de Provence, and today it is run by his grandsons, brothers Jean-Etienne and Francois Matton. Minuty grows Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvedre, Rolle, Viognier and Semillon. It is particularly well known for its Grenache-based rosés.

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.