Provence | April 2024
Rachel Fender
An invite by Alliance wine to go over to Provence and visit Chateau l’Escarelle situated in the foothills of Montagne de la Loube.
The Escarelle Estate
The name Escarelle comes from the river running through the 100 hectares of vineyards making up the estate. The estate's owner is deeply committed to preserving and bringing out the best in this natural environment and has undertaken various projects, such as the restoration of existing buildings for wine and nature tourism, and also an organic certification of the entire estate. With the presence of no less than 95 species of butterfly. They use no chemicals at all in the production of their wine. We saw that they had just planted new cepages to see how they do but the main grapes grown there consist of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Rolle and Caladoc. Provence rose consists of predominately Cinsault, Grenache, Mouvedre and Syrah.
No chemicals at all
With the presence of no less than 95 species of butterfly. They use no chemicals at all in the production of their wine. We saw that they had just planted new cepages to see how they do but the main grapes grown there consist of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Rolle and Caladoc. Provence rose consists of predominately Cinsault, Grenache, Mouvedre and Syrah.
"It was all about the Rose for me"
After a hideous journey, flight cancellations and delays we finally got there at 7pm just in time for a sundowner!
First Wine: Chateau l’Escarelle
The grapes of which are grown further up and benefit from the terroir being stonier giving plenty of minerality, dry but still fruit coming through especially on the nose. Beautifully pale, they told us that the UK market want their rose as pale as possible, but obviously as it is all organic this is all down to the winemakers skill rather than relying on chemicals to remove colour which does happen in some other wines.
Second Wine: Les Deux Anges
So named after the 2 angel carvings that were found on the property when it was being renovated. (The property is owned by Yann Pineau, since 2014 but was originally built in 1912 by a guy who had found his fortune in Mexico it was built as a wedding gift for his wife.) Les Deux Anges was my favourite, a bit more fruit based but still classically pale and dry.
Third Wine: Palm
The next morning we explored the estate on electric bikes which was so much fun, we climbed over 400m above sea level, thank God for the Sport setting. The vines are separated by wildflowers which made it look particularly beautiful as well as being a draw for the bees and butterflies. There was a road separating the AOP wines and the Vin de Pays wine called Palm which we tried with lunch and it was extremely quaffable and probably the most approachable as well as being the most reasonable.
Fourth Wine: Jardin de Secrete
The label for this premium wine is absolutely beautiful and adorned with all the insects and creatures found in the vineyards. Not yet available but designed with people who enjoy ice in their rose, for example the beach Clubs in Ibiza. I really liked it, much bolder flavour profile and you will love the stand out label. They also make Olive oil there and kindly gave us a bottle but couldn’t bring it back with me so they agreed to send it over with our next order… I think I’ll be ordering some wine too!
Buy these wines:
- Country: France
- Region: Provence
- Grape: Cinsault, Syrah, and Grenache
- Style: Dry
- ABV%: 13%
- Vintage: 2023
- Biodynamic: Yes
- Low Sulphur: Yes
- Minimal Intervention: Yes
- Organic: Yes
- Vegan: Yes
- Food pairing: Best drunk as an aperitif or with Provençal dishes, fish or grilled meats.
- Country: France
- Region: Provence
- Grape: Cinsault, Syrah, and Grenache
- Style: Dry
- ABV%: 13%
- Vintage: 2022
- Biodynamic: Yes
- Low Sulphur: Yes
- Minimal Intervention: Yes
- Organic: Yes
- Vegan: Yes
- Food pairing: Enjoy with tapas, a tasty pizza or a little charcuterie.
Thank you Greg, Valerie and Alexandre
Cheers to Your Wine Journey!
