Pumbaa Goess, Author at Chateau d'Esclans

Whispering Angel launches latest vintage rosé in time for BBQ season

By Lauren Walsh

Food

A crisp glass of rosé on a summer’s day is a favourite drink of many and the new vintage of celebrity favourite Whispering Angel has hit the shelves just in time for the summer festivities.

Chateau D’Esclans, the brand that brought us Whispering Angel rosé, has brought out its 18th vintage of the wine which is credited with starting an international rosé trend.

The wine, made in La Motte En Provence, is made up of three types of grapes, Grenache, Cinsault, and Rolle (Vermentino), which are grown on 10 to 12-year-old vines to curate the perfect sweetness.

The new vintage is characterised by great roundness, making for a wine with a very nice aroma on the nose that lingers on the palate. The wine has notes of ripe citrus and red fruits. Sounds good to us!

Whispering Angel became the drink of the summer several years ago and many wine fans have since enjoyed a glass of rosé while out for dinner or making the most of the warm weather on a terrace.

The brand says it ‘beautifully compliments Mediterranean cuisine, charcuterie, and Middle Eastern or Asian cuisine such as Thai, Vietnamese or sushi,’ so it’s no surprise that so many women have opted for a glass of rosé while catching up with pals.

The latest vintage marks the end of the harvest, when the brand brings out a new-aged drink every year.

Today rosé makes up more than 15 percent of the wine market worldwide, a huge jump to where it was before 2006.

The latest vintage of Whispering Angel is already on shelves nationwide in Supervalu, Tesco, Dunnes Stores and Brown Thomas. Now just to get the girls together for a catchup…

Remember to always drink responsibly.

Experience the New Angels & Altitude Rosé Garden at Four Seasons Jackson Hole This Summer

Experience the enchantment of a rosé garden this summer at the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole. This captivating garden, featuring the wines of Château d’Esclans and capturing the essence of the French countryside, is named after the estate’s renowned Whispering Angel Rosé. The Angels & Altitude garden will open daily, starting on National Rosé Day, Saturday, June 8, 2024.

“Jackson Hole is transformed every summer into an outdoor paradise, with days filled with sunshine and time spent together al fresco,” says Director of Food & Beverage Rui Lopes. “Our summer rosé garden offers an immersive experience, where guests can sip on some of the finest rosé wine while surrounded by the breathtaking natural beauty of nearby mountain ranges and towering aspen trees.”

Situated on the Resort’s pool deck, Angels & Altitude welcomes both guests and local visitors. The garden will showcase a selection of specialty rosé wines, including several exclusive bottles introduced specifically for this event.

Open daily, the garden will transport visitors to the south of France, adorned with climbing vines, lavender, French umbrellas, picnic baskets, and other charming details. Throughout the summer, the Resort will offer special programming to highlight the garden, including a planned wine pairing dinner.

Says Château d’Esclans Vice President Paul Chevalier, “The Château d’Esclans portfolio is perfectly aligned with Four Seasons, as both brands embody a similar DNA focused on luxury and quality. With the exciting launch of the Angels & Altitude program, we are able to show consumers that rosé is more popular than ever…winter, summer, beach or mountains. Our wines are all about the ‘joie de vivre’ and where better to experience this than in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.”

The Hottest New Wine Bar Is 30,000 Feet in the Air

Airlines are finally making a major investment in their wine programs, including rare vintages and exclusive bottles

By Kate Dingwall

Some airlines are bringing back old-school glamour to flying.

The airplane minibar has long been lacking. If you’re looking for a decent drink, you’re stuck with tiny bottles of room-temperature white wines and G&Ts peppered with puny plane ice cubes — until recently, that is. Now, some airlines are sending sommeliers to the skies.

In 2022, British Airways brought on Tim Jackson, a Master of Wine, to direct the airline’s non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverage program. Since then, he’s opened a Whispering Angel rosé bar in Heathrow.

The 9 Best Rosés to Drink This Summer

Try these outstanding bottles from around the world.

By Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen

We all have those friends that just won’t drink rosé because it’s not red nor white, so they don’t think it’s a real wine, but let’s face it: Rosé is here to stay. There are all types of social media activations, like Les Nuits en Rosé and Rosé All Day and in N.Y.C. there’s even a sunset boat ride dedicated to these enticing dusk-colored wines. So many people are drinking rosé right now that it has become one of the most popular wine choices as the weather heats up and we’re not ashamed to say that when we need to cool down, rosé is one of our go-to choices. When chilled properly it can be refreshing and even restorative, but since it’s produced from red wine grapes it can have more structure and complexity than white wine.

Sure, a lot of rosé wines can be what our English friends call “cheap and cheery,” but take it from us there are a plethora of very well-made rosé wines that have entered the luxury category. Many of the better ones are aged in wood barrels for additional flavor, complexity, and structure.

There are four ways to make rosé wine from red grapes. They include direct press, saignée, vin gris, and even blending white wine and red wine. Will dig deeper into each of these methods in the FAQ section down below, but without further ado, here are nine rosés you’ll want to be drinking this summer.

Best Overall Rosé: Chateau d’Esclans 2021 Garrus Rosé Cotes de Provence Provence France

Sacha Lichine acquired Chateau d’Esclans in Provence in 2006. The estate is situated just north of St. Tropez and many people may know the chateau as the original home of Whispering Angel rosé wine. While Whispering Angel is a perfectly fine entry offering, Sacha’s Garrus Rosé makes the former pale in comparison. If it weren’t for the pink color, Garrus 2021 could fool you into thinking you’re drinking a fine white Burgundy. It has aromas of white peach, apricot puree, and caramelized pineapple and flavors of pear, apple, candied orange peel, and luscious crème brulée with a bright acid finish.

Emirates A380 business class review from Dubai to London Heathrow

By Rhys Jones

This is our review of Emirates business class on a refurbished A380.
Emirates is in the midst of a massive program to refurbish its workhorse A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft which represent the backbone of its long haul fleet.
Starting in 2021, the project has so far seen 22 of 110 A380s refurbished, whilst the first refurbished Boeing 777 will arrive this summer. For the A380, Emirates has retained the existing staggered 1-2-1 seating configuration but updated it with new finishes, fabrics and technology.
I was keen to see what Emirates had to offer on its flagship aircraft. Amongst the general public, Emirates enjoys a stellar reputation. Would my experience live up to it?

Emirates offers a very impressive cocktail menu on board with 12 classics available. The airline is renowned for its vast wine cellar with over six million bottles laid down. Available on this flight were two reds including Les Pagodes de Cos 2011 red, a white wine and Chateau d’ESclans Rock Angel 2022 rose (which British Airways serves in First).

This rare deal on Whispering Angel is perfect
for rosé lovers

The pale pink Provençal vino has had a cult following since 2006

Stock up on the bestselling wine in time for summer (iStock/The Independent)

It’s officially rosé season. Fruity, crisp and light, a refreshing glass of rosé is the perfect tonic during sunny weather. While styles vary from region to region, a Provençal pink remains the most notable and popular, and if there’s one bottle to reach for it is, of course, Whispering Angel.

Arguably responsible for the rosé renaissance, transforming the light pink coloured wine into an upmarket affair, the popularity of Whispering Angel shows no sign of waning. It’s hardly a surprise that the easy-to-drink, pale pink is a favourite among celebrities (including the likes of Victoria Beckham and Adele, the latter of whom said her supermarket runs during lockdown consisted of ketchup and Whispering Angel) and sommeliers alike.

Owing to its sophisticated taste, Whispering Angel doesn’t come cheap. But thanks to Perfect Cellar – awarded Best Small Wine Retailer by Decanter and one of our favourite wine subscription services – you can currently nab a bottle for just £16.99. Cheers to that!

Chateau D’Esclans Whispering Angel rose 75cl, 2023: Was £19.95, now £16.99, Perfectcellar.com

Thirsty tales

By Sharon van Lokhorst

Attention Rosé lovers! You don’t want to miss this Rosé brunch with Whispering Angel

Also a big fan of rosé wine? Then this is a tip! Château d’Esclans, known for its Whispering Angel rosé, is organizing a special rosé brunch at the beautiful restaurant Nela in Amsterdam. What to expect? You will be welcomed with a glass of Whispering Angel. Then follows a Provence-inspired six-course menu with matching wines from the famous winery. And as a bonus, there is also live entertainment.

An extensive lunch with rosé, is there a better way to spend the weekend? As soon as the sun starts to shine, we open a bottle of rosé. Because no other wine screams for a terrace and good food like rosé. Starring: the famous winery Château d’Esclans, known for Whispering Angel rosé. That beautiful salmon pink color of this Provence rosé alone…

Rosé at the table

So much rosé is served on the terrace that it is sometimes forgotten that rosé is also a wonderful wine to eat with. Of course, Provencal dishes, such as a salade Niçoise , are made to drink with rosé. The combination with lamb is delicious , and lighter dishes from the barbecue also go very well with rosé. At Nela, a lot of cooking is done on fire, so these are fantastic matches. A tip: Sole a la Meuniére and Tarte tartin are served, among other things.

Château d’Esclans and BlockBar sell NFT barrel

By James Evison

Producer Château d’Esclans and blockchain marketplace BlockBar are selling an Non-fungible token (NFT) barrel of Garrus rosé through an online auction.

The single barrel of Garrus 2023 is divided into four quarters and will be available through BlockBar’s new leaderboard technology. Once the wine is reading for bottling, each owner of the quarter-barrel — around 150 litres — will chose for the liquid to be bottled in either a regular size, Magnums, Jeroboams and even a six-litre Methuselah.

Purchasers will have the right to resell their share in the wine until 21 June on BlockBar’s marketplace with the potential owners also having to submit bottling requests by this date.

If owners opt to send their bottles to BlockBar’s storage facility, their quarter barrel NFT will be converted into NFTs representing ownership of the requested bottle sizes and quantities, the producer said.

Experience

All four owners of the barrel will also receive invitations to bring three additional guests for a day with Château d’Esclans founder Sacha Lichine in Provence during the autumn harvest season.

This experience includes a VIP tour of the winery and vineyards as well as a tasting with the winemaker. Each owner’s name will also be personalised on the barrel alongside a photo in the barrel room.

Premiumisation

Château d’Esclans founder Sacha Lichine said about the move that the producer was happy to “demonstrate the more noble side to rosè with Garrus” and the premiumisation of the rosé category was “just beginning”.

He said: “The innovation of auctioning a barrel of our finest rosé for the first time on BlockBar is very exciting,” he added.

BlockBar’s Jamie Ritchie said that Sacha Lichine had created “a global rosé revolution that has reverberated around the world”.

He said: “At Château d’Esclans, he reimagined the definition of world class rosé, from the ubiquitous Whispering Angel to Garrus, the most exclusive and serious rosé ever produced.

“It will be offered on BlockBar in a new leaderboard auction, which brings a fun and interesting pricing mechanic to the sale, making it another first of its kind.”

EXPLORE OUR WINES

The Beach

The Pale

Whispering Angel

Rock Angel

Château d’Esclans

Les Clans

Garrus

Provincial Provence

By Hannah Brandler

As Terre Blanche marks its 20th anniversary, we experience the resort’s golfing and spa facilities as well as Michelin-starred food and blush rosé.
Prominent on the menu are wines from Château d’Esclans, the famous wine estate behind the popular Whispering Angel rosé that has taken the UK by storm – appearing in bars, restaurants and pop-up terraces as well as airport lounges and onboard (perhaps you’re enjoying a glass inflight right now?).
Winemaker Sacha Lichine acquired the estate in 2006, and the Château d’Esclans wines are now sold in over 100 countries, with LVMH acquiring a majority stake in the company at the end of 2019.
We spent our last day in Provence at Domaines Sacha Lichine, discovering wine-making practices before touring the idyllic 19th-century château and tasting the various wines within the portfolio. Guests from Terre Blanche also gain access to the private chapel, where you’ll find a sculpture of the two cherubs that inspired the branding.
The tour ended with a visit to the shop, which not only sells stacks of the blush bottles but also branded hats and swimming trunks. Back home at Terre Blanche, I uncorked a bottle of the rosé to enjoy in peace on my terrace. I might not have heard the whispers of angels, but heaven didn’t feel far off.

WAGAIL TRANSFORMS ROOFTOP TERRACE IN COLLABORATION WITH WHISPERING ANGEL ROSÉ

By Nicola Artemiou

Nothing welcomes the summer season in the capital more like a London rooftop terrace – and Wagtail tops the list for city dwellers and visitors alike. With the ultimate 360° views of iconic landmarks such as Tower Bridge, St Paul’s, and The Shard, this exclusive partnership with popular Provence rosé Whispering Angel has brought a taste of sun-kissed Southern France to London, and transformed Wagtail into London’s hottest must-visit destination.

The takeover transports Wagtail’s guests to the sun-drenched vineyards of Provence, while Whispering Angel infuses its signature relaxed luxury vibe into the cosmopolitan rooftop, the iconic pale pink hue of its bottles complementing the soft pastel aesthetic and warm glow of the sun perfectly.

The partnership is more than just about the visuals – it serves up an immersive experience set to tantalise all senses, as it invites visitors to savour summer in the city by raising a glass of Whispering Angel against the backdrop of the unmistakable skyline.

The long weekend will mark the start of the summer-long celebration, along with the launch of the specially curated Wine Pairing Menu that has been matched with Wagtail dishes to accentuate the unique flavour profiles of Whispering Angel. Also to be unveiled throughout the season is an array of summer series events, including DJ lineups and more – you can stay up to date with announcements here.

Wagtail and Whispering Angel have also created a selection of bespoke cocktails, each a fusion of Whispering Angel rosé and vibrant flavours. From the refreshing Whispering Angel Spritz, a perfect blend of Rosé and citrus, to the elegant “White Lady” Silhouette and the indulgent Sunset, every sip promises to evoke the spirit of summer.

Rob Gartland, Group Marketing Manager of ETM Group comments:

“This collaboration embodies the sophisticated and stylish spirit of one of our fabulous culinary venues, Wagtail. We cannot wait to have guests join us for an unforgettable summer in London, combining our stunning rooftop setting in the heart of the city with the elegance of Whispering Angel rosé.”

Split over two floors, Wagtail includes a restaurant with two private terraces, an elegant fully heated and covered rooftop terrace bar, and an exclusive private dining room in the cupola, crowning the building.

The newly transformed terrace is now open to guests for the Summer. You can find Wagtail at 68 King William St, London EC4N 7HR.

Located at the prestigious Muelle de Honor next to the Puerto Banús Control Tower, the most exclusive new hotspot in Marbella’s recreational marina is the 1970 Yacht Club. It offers its members and visitors a unique selection of wines and champagnes that reflect the sophistication and luxury characterizing this internationally renowned nautical and tourist destination. The club’s wine list is designed to satisfy the most refined tastes, combining world-renowned labels with high-quality options in every category of this oenological menu that will leave no one indifferent.

The rosé wine list features refined options from the best regions of France. Whispering Angel (is a) notable selection that capture(s) the essence of Provence being ideal for those seeking a refreshing and sophisticated experience.