Whispering Angel Opens Terrace at Yauatcha City for dim sum pairing
By Libby Zietsman-Brodie
You would have to have been living under a rock not to have heard of Château d’Esclans Whispering Angel and its premium big sister Rock Angel. These rosés have gripped the summer drinking crowd the last couple of years and now they are launching pop-up terraces around the capital for the sunnier months. At Yauatcha City, where the Whispering Angel pop-up resides until 27 September, it was decorated in pink flowers and abuzz with City-types unbuttoning collars.
The evening began with an Angel Spritz, a refreshing fruity blend of the aforementioned wine, Aperol Spritz, apricot liquor and tonic to cool you down.
Whispering Angel is a blend of juicy Grenache, floral Cinsault and Rolle and it is bone dry, meaning it can pair freshly with rich dishes yet not dominate more delicate flavours. Yauatcha, experts in the art of dim sum, have devised a special pairing menu for the terrace and the rosé slipped down a treat with the fragrant, delicate lobster dumpling lightly spiced with ginger and topped with Tobiko caviar.
For those in the mood for something meatier, the soft-shell crab bao is supremely satisfying and the Iberico pork truffle siew long bao is a triumph so good we had to order more.
I could have happily nibbled away for hours as the sun set but was advised not to miss the dessert, a shiny cerise globe of rhubarb compote, gin jelly and juniper mousse. But it was the Sakura and raspberry macaron that won my heart in the end – a skilfully crisp bite of daintily perfumed flavours.
You can pause for a glass, carafe, bottle, magnum or – for those who are going large – even a jeroboam (£256) of this popular rosé.
Other terraces serving the wine include Searcy’s at the Gherkin, Stoke House Terrace in Victoria and Wright Brothers Jetty in Battersea.
How Rosé Wine Has Given Itself a Rebrand in Recent Years
By PrestigeOnline Thaïland
Once stereotype as a wine associated with bad taste, rosé wine is moving upmarket. Here’s a closer look into the movement.
One out of every ten bottles consumed in the world is a rosé, according to the latest World Rosé Observatory published in 2021. Once stereotyped as a wine associated with bad taste, rosé has moved upmarket to become a third type of wine in its own right, and one that is not only suitable for aperitif time. Serious efforts on the elaboration of various rosé wines as well as on the image of rosé continue to be made, in order to meet consumer expectations and elevate the product.
The Stars Who Bought a Chateau
Over the last few days, the world of wine has been buzzing about rock star legend Jon Bon Jovi’s arrival in France. The “It’s My Life” singer wasn’t in town for a concert but for one of his other passions in life: wine. The event marked the official retail launch of his wine. And his wine is none other than a rosé that the singer has concocted with top winemaker Gérard Bertrand (who also is familiar with the world of music, as he’s been organising an international jazz festival at one of his domains — Château l’Hospitalet — since 2004). In association with the singer’s son, Jesse Bon Jovi, the men developed this blend of grenache, cinsault and mourvèdre that Americans have had a chance to drink since 2018. Wine Spectator, the US magazine of reference in the matter, is full of praise for this rosé, giving it a score of 90 out of 100. The name on the label is Hampton Water, in reference to this region northeast of Long Island in the state of New York, which is the refuge of stars and big money.
Francis Ford Coppola, Jay Z, Carole Bouquet… Stars who buy a chateau, or even participate in the elaboration of wines of high quality (Bouquet’s Sicilian wine produced on the island of Pantelleria is a perfect example), are nothing new in the sector. But these days, celebrities are interested in just one colour of wine, and not just any colour: the one with the most negative associations in the past. Despite the many innovations in the matter and the elevation of the range, rosé is having serious difficulties shedding its image as a low-end wine without depth or complexity. However, there is a common thread between all the celebrity collaborations with rosé-producing estates: they are quality references. For instance Australian singer Kylie Minogue has just renewed her collaboration with Château Sainte-Roseline, a classified cru in Provence, whose cuvée La Chapelle Sainte-Roseline combats stereotypes about rosé with the finesse of its blend and its depth on the palate. The leading example is of course Brad Pitt at Château Miraval, whose purchase alongside his ex-wife Angelina Jolie generated many headlines. Voted best rosé wine in the world by the Wine Spectator, the creation made from grenache, syrah, cinsault and rolle is a gourmet rosé that can be easily paired with a gourmet meal, going beyond the aperitif.
And in fact it’s the niche of Provençal rosé that is drawing celebrities. In 2017, George Lucas acquired Chateau Margüi, located in Chateauvert, which can also boast of elevating store shelves with a gourmet rosé, Bastide de Margüi. French stars are also going all in on rosé. In March, Patrick Bruel launched the first vintage of his Augusta rosé, produced on his estate in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue.
And when stars aren’t making their own rosé, they’re choosing well-known references to post alongside their faces on social media, glass in hand. From Beyoncé to Kendall Jenner, American stars are giving their summers a refreshing, classy boost by uncorking the successful rosé of Château d’Esclans, Whispering Angel. A cuvée created in 2006 by Sacha Lichine, the originator of a concept that Americans love: premium rosé. While some people still associate rosé with cheap, sugary concoctions, the businessman has carved out a whole range of premium rosé wines, the most expensive bottle of which (Garrus), costs a hundred euros. At its launch, the cuvée was labeled as the most expensive rosé in the world. Other Provençal blends have since stolen the title.
Image Crediit: Paul Einerhand/Unsplash
Sparkling Rosé
For the 2022 season, bubbles will be the stars. A brand new taste experience is being proposed by Chandon, a brand of the LVMH group. It has created a blend of eight grape varieties, a formula that is rare in the world of rosé, which usually are composed of three, maybe four, emblematic grape varieties, such as Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah or Mourvèdre. Named Le Chant des Cigales, the cuvée was developed under the direction of former Dom Pérignon cellar master Richard Geoffroy. So we know this is serious! The creation shakes up the codes of sparkling — should we add an ice cube to the glass or not? Something that signals heresy for purists, and which may not help when it comes to stopping the naysayers criticising this type of wine.
And this is not the only serious attempt at a sparkling rosé. At Château Sainte-Roseline too, the focus this year is on the effervescence of a blend built around Grenache, with the addition of Cinsault, Caladoc, Mourvèdre and Rolle. The cuvée, named Allégorie, will be launched on May 25. The beginning of a new trend?
Everyone’s coming up with rosés for alfresco days ahead
By Martin Moran
So, when exactly does summer start? Is it May 1, June 1 or June 21? All have their supporters, but on a practical level, just maybe it’s the day on which you decide to drink your first alfresco rosé or frosé, in the garden, or on a balcony if you don’t have one. We’ve already had days when the mercury went above 20C, so if you haven’t poured a pink drink yet, you probably will soon.
Rosé, like cider, seems embedded in the Irish consciousness as exclusively a summer drink, no matter how often we wine writers try to convince wine drinkers otherwise. Maybe that’s changing a little bit though as rosé sales jumped from 3 per cent of sales in 2016 to 7 per cent in 2020. Fashions change and where once sales were dominated by sweet “blush” Californian wines, this surge is dominated by pale pinks from Provence, with Whispering Angel leading the charge.
The rosé craze is so well established in the United States by now that no one can argue against its credentials as more than just a summer tipple — for large waves of the drinking public, pink wine is a year-round staple. But May continues to mark an important moment on the rose calendar: the point at which the majority of the most recent Northern Hemisphere bottlings are available on the American market.
May also heralds the moment VinePair’s tasting panel assembles to dig out the best of the best in the rose category, and this year certainly delivered. Compiled based on factors such as quality; value, and availability; 2022’s list features supermarket staples, bottles for orange and natural wine aficionados, and worthy opportunities to splurge.
This year’s final ranking pays noteworthy visits to Spain, Portugal, and Greece, as well as both coasts of the United States and, of course, Provence. Expect classic southern French blends and varietal bottlings from a range of exciting different grapes.
Here are the 25 best rose wines for 2022. Looking for our 2021 edition of this list? Head over here.
16. CHATEAU D’ESCLANS ROCK ANGEL 2020
Château d’Esclans propelled the rose movement into the American mainstream with Whispering Angel. This bottle, the more decadent, slightly pricier sibling of that wine, sees partial vinification in 600-liter oak barrels. That process brings a richness to the wine and softens the tartness of its fruit notes. If you’re a regular Whispering Angel drinker, seek out this wine for the next phase of your rose exploration. Average price: $34.
The 15 Best Rosés to Drink This Summer (2022) – Robb Report
In recent times, I’ve come to like one thing new(ish) about spring—its now-annual ritual of cheery messages from wine publicists in regards to the new crop of rosés. “Time to start out pondering pink!” all of them say, in essence. And the variety of pinks launched every April and Might now could be virtually dizzying. Regardless that I’m an inordinate fan of excellent rosé, tasting by means of the gamut out there—vibrant, minerally pale numbers from Provence; perfumed Pinot pinks from California; uncommon blushes from Italy and past—requires some additional deep breaths nowadays.
This 12 months, the hassle was greater than somewhat rewarding. Sources (by way of each varieties and vineyards) and types have advanced; new, extra elaborate winemaking strategies have been employed in pursuit of refined and complicated rosé. It’s clear now that it’s time to cease pondering of rosé as one type of wine. Worth vary alone is an apparent clue. On the decrease finish—sub-$30—are pleasant bottles whose job is to be crisp, dry, and flavorful. Shifting up from there, some winemakers have devoted elements of prized vineyards or treasured previous vines to rosé, delivering focus, complexity and minerality. Many are layering in strategies within the cellar to amplify the nuances—a wide range of vessels, as an example (concrete and oak), and time on the lees to construct weight, texture and mouth-feel.
Your complete spectrum has a lot to supply—only for completely different events. If it’s fried hen you’re having for dinner, a crisp, flavorful sip is simply what you need alongside. However wines on the higher finish of the spectrum supply the entire severe character you would possibly need to set off a candlelight dinner. I’ve included picks from the entire vary right here—from the world’s most costly rosés all the way down to a tremendous discover from Italy that received’t even set you again a Harriet Tubman (a cool $20).
Undoubtedly time to assume pink. Simply give it extra thought than regular this 12 months.
Château D’Esclans 2020 Garrus Côtes de Provence Rosé
Sacha Lichine single-handedly elevated rosé to cult standing when he first produced Garrus for Château D’Esclans in 2006. The 2020, a Grenache-based mix from almost 100-year-old vines, with 11 months in massive new French oak barrels, is, if something, extra spectacular in its depth and complexity. The nostril belies the layers to come back, opening with delicate orchard blossom and oyster shell aromas, with hints of unique spice, purple and stone fruits and marzipan. Within the mouth, the wine is extremely creamy, main with spiced stone fruit compote spritzed with pink grapefruit. For all its energy and weight, the wine unfolds with vivacity into a really lengthy, minerally end.
Whispering Angel, precursor of the ‘Rennassaince du Rosé’ movement and one of the most special wines in the Chateau D’Esclans portfolio, transports us to the Cotes de Provence through its floral and red fruit notes. Sacha Lichine introduced innovative winemaking techniques to Provence that revolutionized the style of rosé wines produced in this region. This revolution led to the creation of Whispering Angel, a high-quality, versatile and affordable rosé made to appreciate and enjoy.
The profile, intense and exuberant with a smooth finish, make Whispering Angel a wine with a wide gastronomic appetite that ranges from ceviche to chicken with lemon.
Chateau D’Esclans was acquired in 2006 by Sacha Lichine with the aim of giving rosé wines the prominence they deserve. It was on this magical property, located in the heart of Provence, France, that Sacha laid the foundations for the exponential growth of the category, thus starting the “renaissance du rosé”, a movement that turned this style of wine into an object of desire. Together with renowned winemaker Patrick Leon, and thanks to innovative oenological techniques, Sacha Lichine created, at Chateau D’Esclans, the best rosé wines in the world, combining quality, tradition and elegance, with a legacy of values that continue to this day. One of the most special wines in the Chateau D’Esclans portfolio is Whispering Angel — a rosé that combines the sweetest and freshest grape varieties in France, such as Garnacha, Cinsault and Rolle. This dry wine — with zero sugars — has floral and red fruit notes, a pale color and an intense and exuberant palate that, together with the smooth finish, make Whispering Angel a delicate and elegant wine like a “whisper of an angel”. , extremely pleasant to taste. As Sacha said “in the valley of Esclans, the angels whisper. If you drink this wine, you will be able to hear them… If you visit us, you will be able to see them’:
Recognized as one of the most important rosés by Drink Business, Whispering Angel presents itself as the perfect companion — from noon to midnight, in all seasons and perfect to pair with a wide variety of international dishes, from ceviches to tatakis. , passing through the classic pissaladiere provencale or the lemon chicken piccata, being a sure choice for meetings and celebrations with family and friends. One of the distinguishing characteristics that Whispering Angel shares with the other rosés at Chateau D’Esclans is the unique approach, which blends the traditional with the modern, from fermentation in barrels at controlled temperature, through a closed individual cooling system that is activated when the barrels are completely full.
The combination of innovation with tradition and the savoir-faire of Chateau D’Esclans revolutionized the style of rosé wines produced in Provence, producing an award-winning range of exclusive references, including Rock Angel, Chateau D’Esclans, Les Clans and Garrus. A new generation of rosé wines that are characterized by their elegance, depth, richness and complexity, making the Maison a world reference for rosé de Provence that has conquered the public and the critics.
Joanna Simon delves into the unexpected origins and preparation of carne de porco a Alentejana—and picks out the best wines to serve with this classic Portuguese dish. Of the two things you would think it was safe to assume about carne de porco a Alentejana—that it’s based on pork and is from the Alentejo region—one of them turns out not to be the case: the dish did not originate in Alentejo. Meanwhile, one thing you would not conclude, or even imagine, from the name is that there are two hero ingredients. Alongside the pork there are clams.
Carne de porco a Alentejana: Portuguese surf ‘n’ turf Portugal’s answer to surf ‘n’ turf is now served throughout the country, but it’s generally accepted that its origins are in the Algarve, where the extensive Atlantic coastline has long favoured an important fishing industry. Why, then, a Alentejana, which has half as much coast and only one decent-sized fishing port? The popular theory is that pork from the Algarve tasted of fish meal and other leftovers from the fish-canning industry that the pigs were fed on. To mask the taste, clams, which were very readily available, were mixed with the pork. In contrast, Alentejo pigs, raised in the open where they fed on cork oak acorns, were noted for the quality of the meat produced by this superior elevage. At what point in history the name was given to the dish, and when and if, by then, it was being cooked in the Algarve with Alentejo pork is about as clear as the sediment in a bottle of mature wine. Another part of the history of the dish, but again one where it isn’t clear whether it is theory, story or truth, is that the eating of carne de porco a Alentejana was used to test the resolve of Cristaos-novos—Jewish converts to Christianity—after King Manuel I decreed in 1496 that Jews must either convert or be expelled from the country. One certainty about the dish at that time is that it didn’t include potato, as it does now. Most sources give circa 1570, or at most a few years earlier, for the arrival of the potato in Europe, through Spain.
The significance of cilantro In addition to pork, clams and potatoes, significant ingredients include white wine, massa de pimentao (a red pepper paste that originated in the Algarve), smoked paprika, garlic, bay leaves, and fresh coriander (cilantro). As an aside, it’s interesting to note that Portugal is the only European country that uses cilantro in its traditional cuisine.The meat, a fairly lean but tender cut, is marinated in white wine and flavorings before being sautéed and then simmered gently in the marinade. The potatoes are usually added part-way through and the clams shortly before the end. It is served with the cilantro/coriander leaves chopped on top and sometimes wedges of lemon. Pork cooked in white wine, clams, red pepper, cilantro … it might all seem to point to white wine as an accompaniment, but carne de porco a Alentejana is not a simple, light dish that needs nothing more than the white-wine equivalent of a squeeze of lemon. There are plenty of whites to chose from, which I’ll come to, but the lighter, fresher, lower tannin, less oaky reds that we now see all around mean that there are ready matches among reds made from grape varieties such as Pinot Noir, Poulsard, Gamay, Nerello Mascalese (I’m thinking Etna), Frappato, old-vine Cinsault and Pais, and old-vine, high-altiitude Garnacha. Conveniently, these are reds that are happy with the assertive, fragrant, greenness of cilantro.
Carne de porco a Alentejana: Rosés At a time when the quality of rosé has never been better, rosés also have a place with pork and clams, among them the best of Provence… To single out (two): Chateau d’Esclans Garrus, ideally with a few years’ bottle age, the impressive but cheaper Rock Angel 2019 from the same stable…
WhispeEveryone’s favourite rosé Whispering Angel launches a new fruity editionring Angel
By Claire Hyland
Hear that? That’s the sound of a new classic being uncorked. With brighter days on the horizon, it was only a matter of time before our thoughts turned to sipping rosé in the sun. On that front, we have some news that will definitely tickle your tastebuds! Beloved French wine brand Whispering Angel is releasing a new edition and summer officially starts here. The original vintage was created by Sacha Lichine when he took on Chateau d’Esclans in Provence in 2006 and is largely credited with kick-starting the rosé trend before going on to become the most popular rosé wine in the world. The question then is how the winemaker could possibly top that? Well, he is certainly aiming to do that with Whispering Angel Cotes de Provence 2021.
Known more commonly as Provence rosé wine lovers can expect aromas of lavender, rosehip, strawberries, cherries, and cloves in the newest member of the family.
It is mostly made with Grenache, Cinsault and Vermentino grapes that have been grown in the region of La Motte en Provence and as for the taste well, expect a medium bodied wine with a crisp acidity that is bone dry with a smooth finish. Even better Provence rosé is ever so slightly more budget friendly than the original wine with a RSP of €26.
Other members of the Chateau d’Esclans family include The Palm and Garrus and Les Clans as well as Rock Angel but Whispering Angel remains the star attraction and is now available in over 100 countries. Celeb fans include Adele, The Beckhams and Killing Eve star Jodie Comer.
Pick a bottle of the new Provence rose from Irish stockists nationwide including Brown Thomas and Dunnes Stores.
The most exciting new hotel openings coming in 2022
The new hotels to look out for around the world
By Sarah James
New year, new hotels to bookmark – at least, that’s what we get excited about when one year rolls into the next. These openings – all slated for 2022 – are getting us seriously excited about the travel opportunities stretching ahead of us – from Shoreditch to Sumba via Samos, Scotland, Switzerland and beyond. New hotel openings spring 2022
The Retreat at Elcot Park
The Retreat at Elcot Park, Berkshire, England
The Mitre, near Hampton Court Palace right on the Thames, was one of our favourite hotel openings of 2020 – a place of whimsy, candy-coloured fabrics and river views. So we’ve got our beady eye on The Retreat at Elcot Park, the 2022 opening from the same team. Expect more playful colours and fabrics, and further excellent views (this time of the Kennet Valley), all parcelled neatly inside a Grade II-listed building that’s leaning into its utterly British heritage – plus 16 acres of swimming pools, tennis courts, croquet lawns, hell, even a Whispering Angel bar that sounds more Balearics than Berkshire. And all 40 minutes from London. Heaven.
Best rosé wines available in the UK to try for summer 2022
With spring sunshine here, it’s Rosé all day… By Nicky Rampley-Clarke
From Mykonos to St Tropez, drinking rosé has become synonymous with endless summer days in Europe’s most exclusive destinations, where long lunches are fuelled by only the palest picks from Provence and champagne-spraying is considered positively passé. Far removed from the dark, fruity depths of Mateus – the original Portuguese variety popular in the 70s served from a (now-iconic) hip flask-inspired bottle – it’s undeniably Whispering Angel that can be credited with our new-found thirst for rosé. As the sexy poster child for premium pinks, and a status symbol that graces any gathering worth going to, it’s hard to fathom how supply keeps up with demand around the world. Despite its fairly-recent rebrand as a day-drinking staple – a single snap from a social media influencer swirling a glass of the stuff is ‘Gram gold – rosé is one the oldest wines around. Ironic, isn’t it? That’s because its production methods are relatively simple, made from red wine grapes with a reduced time fermenting with the grape skins, while it can be created from any red wine grape in any wine-growing region. This gives it a pinker hue and a lighter flavour than reds. That’s not to say that all rosé wines are made equal. Those crafted in Provence with their signature pale colour are certainly the most fashionable – and many argue, the most delicious – but getting more to grips with a glass (and really understanding its qualities) has given rise to a new wave of exciting producers and must-try brands. Here, we’ve done the hard work – well, someone had to – and drank the most delicious rosés out there to compile the ultimate shopping list to steer your summer. It’s time to clink the pink…
Whispering Angel Côtes de Provence Rosé
Created in the cellars of Chateau d’Escalans a revered estate in the hills of Provence that set out to create the greatest rosé on the planet – Whispering Angel has become a byword for the pale pinks so beloved of this region. It’s succeeded, as its dusky colour and dry flavour has become famous, while its evocative name and beautiful bottle add to its cool credentials. While the producer has since brought out other bottles – Rock Angel and The Palm, amongst others – the original remains the best: made from Grenache, Cinasault and Rolle, it’s a shining example of its kind, and still leads the charge in the rosé renaissance.
Buy now £20, Waitrose
The Pale, Rosé by Sacha Lichine
Oh, Sacha Lichine, you spoil us! Not content with creating what is the best rosé of recent times in Whispering Angel (above), the producer has now launched The Pale: a deliciously dry rosé that makes all others at this price point, quite frankly, pale in comparison. With its bottle more akin to a gin or whisky served at a speakeasy, together with artwork inspired by early editions of the New Yorker, it’s hard to miss in a supermarket sweep. Inspired by the fresh sea air of the French Riviera, the wine itself is an aromatic and expressive blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah grapes grown parallel to the Mediterranean coast. It’s these salty, sunny soils that lend the wine its dry yet fruity character. Summer bliss.
