2022 Grape Harvest Provence
Guest PostTasteWines and Spirits of Provence

2022 Grape Harvest in Provence Showing Promise

This year there has been a severe drought in southern Europe, as several heat waves have hit the countries. In Provence, the whole summer felt like one long heat wave (canicule), with temperatures above 30 degrees mid-September in many locations. As a result, virtually all departments in France experienced some …

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Maison Mirabeau ESG
Maison Mirabeau WinesTasteWines and Spirits of Provence

Maison Mirabeau ESG Environment, Social, Governance

2019 marked the tenth anniversary of Maison Mirabeau and the acquisition of Domaine Mirabeau. As Mirabeau started its conversion to organic in 2019, we have a strong desire to be more ambitious. Inspired by the work of Mimi Casteel, botanist and ecologist of Hope Well Wine vineyard in Oregon, Stephen …

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Château Léoube Rosé Provence
Caroline LongstaffeTasteWines and Spirits of Provence

Falling for Château Léoube Rosé from Provence

The first time that I tasted Château Léoube rosé was in California, not in Provence. It wasn’t that long ago that rosé wine was hard to find in the USA. Initially, it was often confused with white zinfandel, wine of a similar colour but not similar in any other way. …

READ MORE  Falling for Château Léoube Rosé from Provence
Château Margüi Rosé Wine Pairing
Provence WineZineTasteWines and Spirits of Provence

Château Margüi Rosé Wine Pairing

Today’s wine and food pairing for Provence WineZine is one I approached with some trepidation. I was confident that the Château Margüi rosé wine would be good (okay, excellent), and I knew the recipe well enough to be happy with it. But together? I just wasn’t sure. I certainly didn’t …

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Drought Conditions French Vineyards Ch-Roquefort
Guest PostTasteWines and Spirits of Provence

Too Dry! Drought Conditions in the French Vineyards

Göran Boman, the author of The Wines of Provence – Tricolour, wrote the article below. Based in Sweden, far from Provence’s vineyards, he has visited many times, and his knowledge of the vineyards and wines of the region is impressive. Below is an excerpt from an article he wrote earlier …

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De-budding Grapevines
Maison Mirabeau WinesTasteWines and Spirits of Provence

De-budding Grapevines and Fruit of Our Labour

It’s July and the ‘Ebourgeonnage’ (de-budding) is in full swing here at the domaine! Throughout this process, the viticulturist and team select the branches that will help to produce the best quality grapes and cut off the others. This helps control the grape yield, enables the canopy to develop uniformly, …

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Chateau La Coste Wine
Our House in ProvenceTasteWines and Spirits of Provence

Head to Chateau La Coste for Wine, Art and Architecture

Every time we come to Provence, we schedule a day for fun with cousin Annick who lives in Rognes, about an hour south of Sablet. She always comes up with new places or activities for us to experience, such as walking around Lacoste, climbing Mont Saint Victoire, and visiting the …

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Provencal Rosé Gets Better
Jill BarthTasteWines and Spirits of Provence

Why Some Provencal Rosé Gets Better with Age

Rosé wines are one of the first categories to be released in Provence, and you’ll start seeing the most recent vintage hit the shelves as early as February and right on through the spring and summer season. It’s no secret that rosé has a reputation for being a drink to …

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Pruning Grapevines in Provence
Guest PostTasteWines and Spirits of Provence

Pruning Grapevines in Provence is Hard Work

For grapevines to continue producing high-quality grapes, they need annual pruning. This activity is time-consuming, physical and necessary for the long term health of the vines. Göran Boman, the author of The Wines of Provence – Tricolour, wrote the article below. Based in Sweden, far from Provence’s vineyards, he has …

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Vacqueyras Wine Pairing Dinner
Provence WineZineTasteWines and Spirits of Provence

Vacqueyras Wine Pairing a Virtual Dinner with Friends

Le Clos de Caveau is one of the first wineries I visited after starting Provence WineZine. The story of this Vacqueyras vineyard — a stone’s throw from Gigondas — is best told over a glass of this excellent red blend of Grenache and Syrah called Fruit Sauvage. Henri Bungener, psychologist-turned-winemaker, …

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