Château d’Esclans elevates rosé to global luxury status
By Jorge Haro Larrea
These days, France’s beautiful Provençal region is gaining more and more attention and worldwide recognition, especially due to the freshness and flavour of its rosé wines. Far from being considered a mere aperitif wine, more and more producers are dedicating themselves to cultivating and producing rosés worthy of respect and noteworthy among the world of wines. At the forefront of this new ambition, difficult to ignore, is Château d’Esclans , a winery whose wines continue to grow in esteem and reputation, crossing borders and demonstrating the astonishing potential of French rosés.
Growing legacy in the wine world
Owing its origin to the meeting of several men with a history framed by vines and a love of wine, it was in the mind of Sacha Lichine that the desire to innovate and produce a premium rosé that would be on a par with the most prestigious wines was born. After acquiring the Esclans estate in 2006 with a clear objective in mind: to make Provence rosé an exceptional wine, recognised and respected throughout the world.
This new vocation required surrounding himself with skilled people, which explains the indispensable presence of the Léon family. Distinguished winemakers from generation to generation, they joined Lichine after working for years with the great Bordeaux vineyards. Their valuable advice oversees the entire production, from the harvest to the selection of the resulting wine, and is an inseparable part of the winery’s success.
It is in this idyllic setting, where the stones and vegetation seem to welcome the embrace of the sun, that the Château d’Esclans was built, a splendid monument whose construction dates back more than 800 years. Surrounded by 260 hectares, the property stands above the village of La Motte and is surrounded by the best Provençal appellations.
Flag bearer of a Provençal revolution
The various premium rosé vintages from Château d’Esclans enjoy unprecedented recognition for wines in this category. The best-known, Garrus, is famous for having long been the most expensive rosé in the world, at a price of €80 a bottle. A perfectly assumed luxury positioning, for wines whose texture and aromas resemble those of great white wines, adorned with delicate oak notes. In contrast to the more classic rosés, the bottles delivered by the estate’s nearly thousand-year-old cellars are not consumed in the year of production, but are kept for at least one or two years to enjoy a more complex structure and more developed aromas.
Château d’Esclans is an example of innovation and quality in the world of wine. Each new vintage is another step towards affirming rosé as one of the most prestigious wines of the French vineyard. This only makes one thing clear: rosé wine is here to stay, and its potential is truly formidable.
Do you know the exclusive wine and champagne menu at 1970 Yacht Club in Puerto Banús?
By Sarah Drake
On Wednesday, May 1st, the Central Park Conservancy Women’s Committee hosted its sold-out, annual Frederick Law Olmsted Awards Luncheon. The iconic and long-running event raised a record $4.6 million for the Conservancy’s crucial work to preserve and enhance Central Park for all New Yorkers and visitors.
With generous support from Presenting Sponsor Harry Winston, Inc., the annual spring luncheon celebrates Central Park and highlights the Conservancy’s mission to maintain and care for one of New York City’s most cherished outdoor spaces. The event was additionally supported by Corporate Sponsor JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Premier Sponsor St. John.
Guests enjoyed sipping on Whispering Angel rose ́, courtesy of Château d’Esclans, and Robert Mondavi Sauvignon Blanc, donated by the Robert Mondavi Winery. Central Park Conservancy volunteer attire was generously provided by Tuckernuck, with hats designed and donated by Patricia Underwood. The luncheon was catered by Abigail Kirsch, with festive spring décor by Andrew Pascoe Flowers.
The most groundbreaking hotel in the Mediterranean is back for the season. Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel, the most surprising space on the island,…
Written by Maria
The most groundbreaking hotel in the Mediterranean is back for the season. Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel, the most surprising space on the island, reopened its doors on April 19 to continue offering unexpected experiences, including important culinary innovations and surprises.
The hotel, which has five gastronomic spaces of all styles and for all tastes, will host this year major events focused on the world of gastronomy, led by Michelin star chefs, and exclusive pool parties.
Last season, The Beach by Ushuaïa Ibiza opened its doors in collaboration with chef Roberto Ruiz, bringing the restaurant a combination of Pacific and Mediterranean flavours. Its dishes range from crab tacos, grilled sea bass or gilthead Pacific fish stew, to the most avant-garde proposals for the most demanding palates.
This year, on May 17, the gastronomic space will hold a presentation event for its new menu. In the heart of Playa d’en Bossa, the chef’s six new proposals will be served to discover this new menu full of his incredible combinations with touches of the Pacific. The day will be completed with a new proposal of renewed entertainment and the best music with the most sophisticated atmosphere of the Mediterranean.
Continuing along the gastronomic theme, on May 23, The Beach by Ushuaïa Ibiza will bring together several top-level chefs to celebrate a rice showcooking . Among the most recognized names are Luis Valls Rozalen (El Poblet, with two Michelin stars), Javier Sanz (Cañitas Maite, two Michelin stars and one Green Michelin star), Edu Torres (Molino Roca), César Marquiegui (Gastronou, El Cranc and L’Olleta), Carlos Fernández (Kàran Bistró), and the two chefs of the house, Adrián Paniagua, chef of The Beach by Ushuaïa Ibiza, and Ismael Fernández, the chef responsible for the gastronomic spaces of Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel. Each of these chefs will prepare a rice dish with their own touches where the public will be able to taste the best selection of rice dishes.
The event will be held under the leadership of David Guapo and Raquel Meroño from noon to eight in the evening, where they will liven up the day alongside various personalities. With two different atmospheres, the event will also have a beer and tapas area where you can sample these exquisite dishes. The menu also offers the possibility of accompanying the tasting with a very special pairing by Whispering Angel and Moët & Chandon.
Let’s toast to MUM!By Editor | Jennifer Campbell
Discover a high-level oenological selection unique to the new fashionable destination where luxury perfectly complements the Marbella marina
Whispering Angel Rose 2022 is an extremely versatile, easy drinking wine. Pale apricot colour and fragrant, revealing aromas of peach, grapefruit, lemon, red berries and spices. Light to medium-bodied, fresh yet tense and juicy. It is pure and clean with a mouthwatering, elegant finish that is silky, fluid and softly refreshing. Pairs beautifully with Mediterranean, Thai cuisine and sushi.
‘The live, laugh, love of wine’: is rosé the new chardonnay?
Rosé has boomed in popularity over the past decade or so, but not all winemakers are happy about its newfound ubiquity. Is the bubble about to burst, asks Katie Rosseinsky?
Rosé season is on the approach. Bottles of the pink stuff will once more be a fixture in pub gardens everywhere. They’ll be decanted into paper cups for park picnics, bought in bulk for hen parties and Instagrammed from poolside sun loungers (probably captioned with some variant of the phrase “rosé all day”). But over in the south of France, the drink’s spiritual home, trouble is brewing behind the scenes.
You could call it the war of the rosés. Purists are claiming that their upstart rivals are diluting the drink’s reputation by jumping on the lucrative trend for pale rosé (think Whispering Angel and its many, many imitators). The old guard reckons these lighter-hued drinks are insipid and underwhelming in both looks and taste, and believe they are giving rosé a bad name. These lighter, blush-coloured versions are also now so ubiquitous that they’re seen as a bit, well, basic (and I say that as a rosé devotee myself). Thanks to the array of rosé-inflected slogans you can find on T-shirts, phone cases, tote bags or even special sparkly drinking flutes, it’s practically the “live laugh love” of wine.
The traditionalists have banded together to form L’Association Internationale des Rosés de Terroirs, a group dedicated to promote “the aristocracy of rosé”, wines they believe have a more interesting, nuanced range of flavours. Éric de Saint Victor, owner of Provence’s Château de Pibarnon, cautioned drinkers to “be careful” as “rosé is not what they would have you believe. The rosé that most people drink is like an [ordinary] sparkling wine that the winemaker pretends is a champagne.” The sticklers have even come up with a name for the object of their disdain – “swimming pool rosé”. Of course, this would actually be quite a decent brand name for precisely the sort of millennial-friendly bev they’re railing against. You can almost picture it written in sans-serif font on the bottle.
How did this crowd-pleasing tipple become so divisive? It seems like some winemakers believe rosé has become too successful for its own good – which is pretty ironic, given that it took a fair while for rosé to acquire its reputation as the unofficial drink of lazy summer afternoons. Many winemakers once considered it inferior, a way to use up sub-standard grapes that weren’t good enough to go into a red. Rewind back to the Eighties, and your rosé options were limited to super-sweet Mateus, with its vibrant pink hue and curved bottle, and a handful of sickly white (but actually pink!) zinfandels that tasted a bit like alcoholic Ribena. It wasn’t seen as something that “serious” wine drinkers would deign to sip on.
But in the Noughties, the pink tide started to turn. Pale, Provençal dry rosé provided an alternative to those heavier, sweeter wines. Leading the charge was Whispering Angel, made at Provence’s Château d’Esclans; the chateau’s owner Sacha Lichine turned out to be a marketing wizard, ensuring that his wine ended up on the menu at celeb-friendly haunts on both sides of the Atlantic, like the Chateau Marmont and Soho House. Of course, the fact that drinking pale pink wine could be sold as something classically French, and therefore synonymous with sophistication, certainly helped its success. See also: the “French girl chic” industrial complex, which I’m convinced was invented to lure gullible shoppers into buying boring stripy tops under the delusion that they’re “Breton”.
Rosé is a comparatively cheap and quick wine to make, so increasing numbers of vineyards wanted to get in on the game. And so did celebrities, including Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, who launched their first bottles of Miraval Rosé in 2013 and sold out in a matter of hours (latecomers to the rosé-making game also include Kylie Minogue, Post Malone and Jon Bon Jovi). The following year, rosé was so popular with monied holiday-makers in the Hamptons that bars and restaurants in the area nearly ran out completely (“Rosé running dangerously low!” one headline screamed). This was all happening when Instagram was on the rise, ushering in the era of the influencer – and there are still few drinks more photogenic than a glass of blush-coloured rosé held up against a blue sky.
Its popularity has only continued to increase since then: analysts at Global Data have estimated that by 2025, 2.63 billion litres of the stuff will be consumed worldwide. But as demand for rosé gets bigger, inevitably other wines must take the hit. Last year, it emerged that red wine sales in France have dropped by around 50 per cent since the Nineties (of course, that’s not just because rosé has encroached on its territory: experts cite a whole host of factors, including diet and lifestyle changes). No wonder some winemakers from the Bordeaux region, who’d previously poured all their efforts into producing their trademark reds, have decided to expand their horizons and go after the booming rosé market. It’s a move that has really provoked the ire of their Provençal counterparts: Éric de Saint Victor (he of the “rosé aristocracy”) singled out the region’s efforts as “a bit simple [and] not extraordinary”. Devastating.
Even outside the vineyards of France, though, you get the sense that a rosé backlash has been building for a while, even as its popularity reaches new heights (would it be far-fetched to call it the Taylor Swift of wines? Either way, the singer is certainly a fan – her brand of choice is called Gaslighter, made by the band The Chicks). With its slew of slightly forced hashtags (“yes way rosé!”), it’s essentially the summer sibling of the pumpkin spice latte.
Just like fashion, wine follows a trend cycle, albeit one that moves at a slightly slower pace. Remember when chardonnay became so ubiquitous that it was considered the epitome of tacky (case in point: the writers of ITV’s bonkers Footballers’ Wives named one of their main characters in honour of it)? It’s since made a quiet comeback. So even if dry rosé is deemed beyond the pale by arbiters of taste, it surely won’t be considered passé for too long. And frankly, if you like it, who cares if it’s considered uncool? In the meantime, you’ll find me in the wine aisle buying up Kylie’s finest vintage like it’s going out of fashion.
Whispering Angel Spring Brunch
Radisson Blu Glasgow is transporting guests on a journey to the south of France, as it brings together the luxury and glamour of Whispering Angel rosé with The Grahamston’s decadent food offering!
About Whispering Angel Spring Brunch
Taking place on 25th May from 12.30pm – 3pm, The Whispering Angel spring brunch at Radisson Blu Glasgow, in partnership with the iconic French wine brand, invites guests to toast a glass of Whispering Angel rosé on arrival before indulging in a three-course buffet brunch. An array of delicious savoury and sweet dishes await, in the beautiful surroundings of The Grahamston restaurant.
Guests can also indulge in bespoke Whispering Angel cocktails, created especially for the exclusive event. Complete with live entertainment and a DJ, the brunch is the perfect day out for those looking to kickstart their summer celebrations.
33 Thoughtful Mother’s Day Gifts For Your Wife, From Jewelry To Pajamas
By Samantha Simon
What does your wife really want for Mother’s Day? It’s a loaded question—and outside of breakfast in bed and cute homemade gifts from the kids, it can be tricky to find a present that says “I love you” and also shows just how much you appreciate her for being the best mom out there. But have no fear: The best Mother’s Day gift for your wife does exist. And lucky for you, we’ve found a bunch of stellar options.
A Happy Hour-Ready Bottle Of Rosé
Whispering Angel Rosé
While it’s true that a mom’s work is never done, what better time for her to sit back and relax with some vino than Mother’s Day? Toast your wife with a glass of Whispering Angel’s crisp rosé, then let her leisurely enjoy another while you put the kids to bed. Cheers to her (and motherhood)!
The Best Wine Pairing For Juicy Lamb Chops
By Autums Swiers
Nailing the wine pairing can be all it takes to elevate your dining experience — and few dinners are as inherently elevated to begin with as Frenched, pan-seared lamb chops. Lamb’s tasting profile can fall somewhere between game meat and beef: tender, high-fat, and mineral-dense. But, the proverbial “cream of the crop” is the lamb chop, the best and most tender cut from the top part of the back attached to the ribs, aka “the rack of lamb.” These chops have “chops” of their own, boasting the mild-yet-rich flavor that gives steakhouses in Midtown Manhattan the agency to charge $80 a plate. Luckily, for the rest of us, lamb chops aren’t too tough for discerning-palated foodies to make well at home, and we have a few tips to help with that.
Thanks to lamb chops’ delicate flavor and texture, a softer wine can make a good fit for completing the meal, but it must retain a powerful body. A good wine should be able to stand up to the richness of the lamb without competing with it. With all of these factors in mind, my top two wine picks for pairing with lamb chops are both French: mature Bordeaux and Grenache-based Provence Rosé. As a career bartender, my secret hope is that the gastronomic glamor of the lamb-chop-rosé pairing is enough to deflate elitist rosé haters once and for all … or something like that. Shooting for the stars here, but no less passionate.
When you think of lamb chops, red wine probably seems like the natural pairing, but a chilled rosé can be just as delicious and impressive. Don’t get it twisted — rosés are often confused with blush wines, which are always sweet; rosé and blush wine are not the same thing.
Rosé can be brighter and more refreshing than many white wines, with perhaps the exception of sweeter varieties like riesling. However, this sweetness is not always welcome when pairing wine and food, and it would be less-than-remarkable alongside a lamb chop dinner. Rosé is the best fit for the job because it retains that refreshing brightness and delicate effervescence that prevent the entree from sitting too heavily while also retaining a dry, pungent flavor profile (not to mention that the pink hue of the wine would look aesthetically stunning beside a platter or perfectly pink lamb chops).
Opt for a Grenache-based Provence Rosé, like dry, smooth Chateau d’Esclans’ Whispering Angel (about $26)… To finish the dinner, pair your lamb chops and rosé wine with subtler, brighter sides like creamy polenta, mashed celery root, pesto-inspired mint chimichurri, Niçoise salad, assorted capers and green olives, or a spread of soft cheeses.
Pairing tips for rosé wines
Exploring wine pairing can completely transform the dining experience, elevating both the dish and the drink chosen.
When it comes to rosé wine , versatility is its trademark, capable of accompanying a wide range of dishes and occasions.
Rosé wine stands out for its lightness and freshness, characteristics that make it perfect for pairing with foods with a delicate to moderately intense flavor.
Tips for Pairing Rosé Wine
Ideal Dishes for Rosé Win
Rosé wines are known for their ability to pair with a variety of dishes. From light salads and seafood dishes to white meats and mild cheeses, the pairing can be surprisingly broad. A key aspect for successful pairing is considering the aromatic profile and structure of the chosen rosé wine.
For example, a rosé from Provence, famous for its subtlety and floral notes, pairs wonderfully with fresh salads or lightly seasoned fish dishes. A fuller-bodied rosé, perhaps from the Tavel region in France, can support dishes with more intense flavors, such as grilled white meats or Mediterranean dishes.
Cheeses and Rosé Wine: A Versatile Combination
The choice of cheese to accompany your rosé wine can vary widely depending on the strength and style of the wine. Fresh, soft cheeses, such as Brie or Camembert, complement the lightness and freshness of more subtle rosés. On the other hand, cheeses with more striking flavors, such as feta or even chèvre, can enhance the attributes of a more robust rosé.
It is important to note that the serving temperature of the wine also influences the pairing experience. A rosé wine served slightly chilled, around 8-10°C, will best reveal its qualities, providing a refreshing contrast to the richness of creamy cheeses or the saltiness of marine appetizers.
Considering these aspects, pairing rosé wines is not limited to rigid rules, but rather to experimentation and balance between the flavors of the dish and the wine. Whether for an elegant dinner or a casual picnic, rosé wine offers endless pairing possibilities, capable of pleasing different palates.
Glass of rosé wine and cheese (Image: IA)
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
What does rosé wine taste like?
The flavor of rosé wine is remarkably diverse, varying significantly depending on the grape used, the terroir and the production method. In general, rosé wines are characterized by their lightness and freshness, with a delicate balance between acidity and sweetness. Many have fruity and floral notes, including aromas of strawberry, cherry, raspberry and roses, with mineral touches in some examples. This combination of flavors makes rosé wine extremely versatile, suitable for both casual and more formal occasions.
When tasting a rosé wine, it is possible to perceive a complexity that defies the notion that it is a less sophisticated option compared to reds and whites. Its flavor palette, which can range from citrus notes to herbaceous touches, reflects the diversity of winemaking techniques and choices made by the winemaker, providing a unique and pleasant sensorial experience.
What is the difference between red and rosé wine?
The main difference between red wine and rosé lies in the production method, especially the contact time between the grape juice and the skins. Red wines are produced by allowing a longer maceration period, which extracts more tannins, color and flavors from the grape skins. This results in fuller-bodied wines, with greater complexity of flavors and aging potential. Rosé wines are made by limiting this contact, resulting in a lighter color, less tannins and lighter, fruitier flavors, reflecting the essence of freshness.
Another important difference is the versatility in gastronomic pairing. While reds generally pair best with red meat and more robust dishes, rosés have the ability to pair with a wider variety of foods, from light starters to white meats and seafood, thanks to their lightness and balanced aromatic profile.
When do you drink rosé wine?
Rosé wine is exceptionally versatile, suitable for a variety of occasions, from a relaxing outdoor picnic to an elegant dinner party. Its lightness and freshness make it the perfect choice for hot summer days, but its complexity and variety also allow it to be enjoyed all year round. Rosé is ideal for social events, such as parties and receptions, as it tends to be a “democratic” wine, pleasing a wide range of palates.
Furthermore, it is an excellent option for aperitifs or to accompany light meals, such as salads, seafood dishes and mild cheeses. The flexibility of rosé wine, capable of pairing with a variety of dishes, makes it a smart choice for any occasion that requires a sophisticated and accessible drink.
What are the best rosé wines?
The “best” rosé wines depend on personal taste, but some examples stand out on the international scene for their quality and representation. Rosé wines from Provence, France, are widely recognized for their excellence, exhibiting balance, freshness and aromatic subtlety. Brands such as Château d’Esclans (Whispering Angel) is (among) the most prestigious.
In addition to France, regions such as Spain, Italy and the United States also produce high-quality rosés. In Spain, rosés from Navarra offer excellent value for money, while in Italy, rosés from Tuscany and Sicily enchant with their personality. In the United States, the highlight is California rosés, which combine innovation and tradition. Choosing the best rosé wine should consider the desired flavor profile and the occasion, encouraging experimentation and personal discovery.
Summary
Variety of Flavors : Rosé wine has fruity and floral notes, such as strawberry, cherry, raspberry, and roses
Versatile Pairing : Ideal for light dishes, seafood, white meats and cheeses.
Key Differences : Less skin contact time differentiates rosé from reds, resulting in fewer tannins and lighter flavors.
Consumption Occasions : Perfect for any occasion, from casual picnics to elegant dinners.
Recommendations : Wines from Provence, Château d’Esclans stand out for its quality.
Exploring the World Through Different Types of Wine
Imagine yourself journeying through the lush vineyards of Bordeaux or feeling the cool breeze from the slopes of Tuscany. Pretty enchanting, right? Now, that’s the world of wine for you, with every bottle opening up a panorama of cultural history and tradition. When it comes to different types of wine, it’s not just about sipping and savoring; it’s a globetrotting adventure—you just need to know where to start! So, buckle up, because we’re about to dive into the fundamental wine types that shape our feasts and fetes, from classic reds to sprightly sparklers.
Rosé All Day: Understanding This Wine Types’ Versatility
Ah, rosé, the life of the party—in shades from pale to punk-rock pink, there’s a style to match any vibe. Here’s the lowdown on the blush that’s made a splash across the world.
• Provence Rosé: Picture yourself on a yacht cruising the French Riviera—this is what you’d be sipping. Château d’Esclans’ Whispering Angel invites you to sip in style, with its dry, sophisticated charm.
