There’s a certain kind of light in Provence that feels almost mythical—soft, golden, and endlessly flattering. It’s the same light that drew Van Gogh to Arles and Cézanne to Aix, that spills across lavender fields in July and casts long shadows through olive groves in the Luberon. But you don’t have to be a painter to fall for it. For photographers and travelers alike, Provence offers a canvas of color and texture unlike anywhere else in France. Plus, the food in the south of France is simply amazing.
Lavender Fields of Provence
This is a place where time seems to stretch. Mornings begin with the slow bustle of open-air markets, afternoons drift past vineyards and ochre-hued villages, and evenings end with golden hour glowing on stone façades. I would definitely stop at every open-air market that you run into. You will buy incredibly delicious fresh cheese, wines, and the best produce.
Sunrise in Gordes
Provence, in the southeastern part of France, is renowned for its picturesque villages, rolling vineyards, and, most famously, its stunning lavender fields. Each summer, these fields burst into bloom, painting the landscape with hues of purple and attracting visitors from all over the globe.
In this guide, I’ll share some of my favorite places to stay, eat, and photograph across the region. Whether you’re coming for the lavender or the rosé, the Roman ruins or the Mediterranean light, Provence offers inspiration for everyone.
5. Rosé Wine
More a lifestyle than a drink in Provence. Light, dry, and perfect with basically anything you eat in the region. Try a bottle from Château d’Esclans
Château d’Esclans: The château that elevated rosé to the Olympus of wine
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From centuries-old vineyards high in Provence, Château d’Esclans has reinvented rosé wine with elegance, character and vision, creating a category of its own: luxury rosé.
Just an hour from the glamorous Côte d’Azur, between Saint-Tropez and Cannes, hides a place where rosé wine has reached new heights of sophistication: Château d’Esclans. This winery, located in the heart of the Var, is not only a pioneer in the creation of luxury rosés, but has completely redefined the perception of rosé in the world.
A HISTORY WITH MILLENNIAL ROOTS AND A VISION OF THE FUTURE
The Château d’Esclans vineyard sits on land that has been cultivated for more than 2,500 years. On top of a hill, the ruins of an ancient Roman watchtower that guarded the Gulf of Fréjus still remain. But it was in 2006 that the real change began: Sacha Lichine, son of the legendary Alexis Lichine, acquired the château and decided to revolutionize rosé, giving it the category of the great wines of the world.
A PASSIONATE AND EXPERT TEAM
The success of Château d’Esclans would not be possible without the figure of winemaker Bertrand Léon, heir to the savoir-faire of his father Patrick Léon, one of the great names in French wine. Bertrand has perfected the balance between tradition and modernity, working with surgical precision to maintain excellence in each vintage.
At his side, cellar master Jean-Claude Neu, who has been at the helm of the process since 2006, ensures that each bottle is the result of craftsmanship, from the optical selection of the grapes to the aging in oak barrels.
HARVESTING BY HAND, TECHNOLOGICAL PRECISION, SENSORY EXCELLENCE
The grapes, mostly Grenache and Rolle (Vermentino), are hand-picked at dawn to preserve their freshness. Subsequently, they go through a rigorous system of manual and optical selection, followed by vinification at a controlled temperature and without maceration, which extracts only the purest juice.
In the winery, the process is meticulous: fermentations in stainless steel and in 600L oak demi-muids, Burgundy-style “bâtonnage” and barrel aging for the high-end wines. All with a single objective: to create rosés that are fine, complex and absolutely memorable.
A LUXURY ALLIANCE WITH LVMH
International recognition was not long in coming. In 2019, the luxury giant LVMH acquired 55% of Château d’Esclans, betting on this project as a global benchmark for high-end rosé wine. This strategic alliance has boosted its expansion into key markets in Asia, America and Europe, positioning Château d’Esclans as a new emblem of French lifestyle.
WINE AND GASTRONOMIC DESTINATION
Château d’Esclans is not just a winery, it is an experience. Its natural environment, its thousand-year-old history and its architecture make each visit a journey through time and the senses. An ideal destination for lovers of wine, culture, design and gastronomy.
Where to Celebrate Easter in Miami: Brunch, Bubbles & Bunny Hunts!
Our roundup of the top Easter brunches and celebrations around Miami is still live and being updated in real time.
MAKOTO
Image courtesy of STARR Restaurants
Description: This Easter, Makoto is elevating the holiday with exquisite specials. Indulge in the Dry-Aged Ceviche, featuring caviar, myoga, wakamomo, yuzu, and hanaho, or savor the 48-Hour Wagyu Short Rib, served with jumbo asparagus and a bold peppercorn sauce. Complement your meal with vibrant seasonal sips, including the Clarified Piña Colada and the floral-infused Hibiscus Margarita. For those looking to explore sake, curated flights Nigori Experience and Dassai Experience offer a taste of Japan’s finest brews. Elevate the celebration with a selection of fine wines, from Château d’Esclans Rosé to Raen ‘Lady Marjorine’ Chardonnay.
Address: Bal Harbour Shops 9700 Collins Ave Miami Beach, FL 33154
here to Celebrate Easter in Miami: Brunch, Bubbles & Bunny Hunts!
The American Academy in Rome honors two figures whose work in medicine and cinema continues to shape conversations across disciplines and borders
By Monica Straniero
Virgilio Sacchini and Giuseppe Tornatore
On June 4, the American Academy in Rome will present the McKim Medal to Virgilio Sacchini and Giuseppe Tornatore. The ceremony will take place at Villa Aurelia, just before sunset, in the same building that has housed the Academy on the Janiculum Hill since 1909. The award, which each year honors Italian figures who have contributed to the cultural dialogue between Italy and the United States, is not just about representation. It recognizes people whose work has built real bridges, across time, disciplines, and borders.
Sacchini is an oncologic surgeon with a long history of working in breast cancer prevention. Over the years, he has moved between France, Italy, and the United States, dividing his time among hospitals, research centers, and internat onal study groups. At Memorial Sloan-Kettering in New York, he has collaborated with organizations such as the EORTC (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer), the NASBP (National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project), and the RTOG (Radiation Therapy Oncology Group), helping to develop new approaches in chemoprevention and radiation therapy. In his research, cancer is never treated as just a disease. It is a social issue, one that involves patients, families, and the healthcare systems responsible for deciding who receives care—and how.
Tornatore received an Academy Award in 1990 for Nuovo Cinema Paradiso, a film about childhood, cinema, and life in small southern towns. Since then, he has continued to explore themes of memory, time, and family, directing films such as Malèna, Baarìa, The Best Offer, and Ennio. His work has involved collaborations with actors including Philippe Noiret, Monica Bellucci, Marcello Mastroianni, and Geoffrey Rush, and has maintained a strong connection to the places and emotional landscapes that shaped his vision.
The Gala is more than a celebration of two careers. It is also a moment for supporting the Italian Fellowships, the Academy’s grants reserved for Italian artists and scholars. The program is unique among foreign academies in Rome and, over the years, has allowed many different kinds of research and creative practices to take shape in a shared space.
Presiding over the evening will be Beatrice Bulgari, who has long been active in projects at the intersection of art, cinema, and cultural production. She will be joined by Academy President Peter N. Miller, Director Aliza S. Wong, Board Chair Calvin Tsao, and Honorary Gala Chairs Ginevra Elkann, Margherita Marenghi Vaselli, Carla Markell, and Maria Teresa Venturini Fendi. The evening will also include a reception—informal, but thoughtfully curated. Wines will be offered by Paolo and Noemia d’Amico and Château d’Esclans, while cocktails will be created by Quattro Gatti Gin.
Founded in 1894, the American Academy in Rome is the oldest U.S. cultural institution operating abroad. It has hosted hundreds of artists, architects, and scholars over the decades, many of whom have gone on to receive major awards such as the Nobel, Pulitzer, MacArthur, and Pritzker. Today, through its residency programs, exhibitions, lectures, and public events, the Academy remains a space where disciplines meet and conversations unfold over time. On the evening following the Gala, June 5, the Academy will open its doors to the public for the annual Open Studios, offering a chance to explore the work created by the current fellows during their time in Rome.
Address: Bal Harbour Shops 9700 Collins Ave Miami Beach, FL 33154
Tour de France at Zornitza Family Estate Relais & Châteaux – an exquisite symphony of flavors and aromas
Chef Veselin Kalev (member of JRE Bulgaria and head chef of Zornitza Family Estate) together with Chef Annette Teisch
On the occasion of International Women’s Day on March 8, Zornitza Family Estate Relais & Châteaux reopened its doors for one of the most exquisite annual events in its calendar – the Tour de France. The event, inspired by the rich wine traditions of France, combined elegance, a gourmet experience and a sophisticated atmosphere at the aEstivum restaurant.
The evening was dedicated to the harmony between first-class French wines and culinary masterpieces prepared by the exceptional chef Annette Teisch – the first female chef in France to become a member of the JRE since the association’s establishment in 1974.
Chef Annette Teisch – the lady who rewrote the rules in cooking
Chef Annette Teisch is a true pioneer in the world of gastronomy. Born and raised in Paris, she began her culinary career in some of the most prestigious restaurants in France, where she honed her skills in classic French cuisine. Her style combines innovation and respect for tradition, with seasonal produce, premium meats and impeccable craftsmanship at the heart of her dishes. In 1974, she became the first woman to be a member of Jeunes Restaurateurs d’Europe (JRE), a prestigious organization that brings together the most innovative and talented young chefs from across Europe. Today, she is not only an inspiration for future generations of chefs, but also an ambassador for contemporary French gastronomy.
JRE – the organization that sets the gastronomic standard in Europe
Jeunes Restaurateurs d’Europe (JRE) is an international association founded in 1974, which brings together some of the most talented and ambitious chefs in Europe. The philosophy of JRE is simple – passion for cooking, respect for tradition and a drive for innovation. The organization connects restaurants and chefs who offer exceptional gastronomic experiences based on high-quality products, creativity and perfectionism. JRE members not only set new culinary trends, but are also committed to creating sustainable and authentic gourmet experiences.
Culinary journey through France
The estate’s sommelier, Alexander Skorchev, selected a special selection of five exceptional French wines, each of which was masterfully paired with the evening’s menu. Guests had the pleasure of enjoying the following culinary symphony:
Provence : Anchovy spring rolls, rice popcorn, licorice
2021 Rose Garrus (Grenache & Rolle), Château d’Esclans, France, Côtes de Provence
It was a joy to reenact a Château d’Esclans vertical tasting last week with its founder Sacha Lichine, some eight years after I hosted the same event in New York City with the late Château d’Esclans winemaker Patrick Léon. These stellar rosés have an uncanny ability to age. They do so, not in a linear fashion like, say, a predictable red wine, but in a swirling, convoluted and always surprising manner. After tasting the newly released 2023s, which I reviewed in my Finest Fifty 2024 Report published back in January for members of matthewjukes.com, we dived into some older vintages of Les Clans and Garrus.
I have no images of this event as there are strict rules at Annabel’s private club regarding photography, so I have included a photo taken back in November when I first tasted these wines, as well as a bottle shot of the new 2024 Whispering Angel, whose review also features below.
As a reminder, here is an edited extract from Finest Fifty 2024
2023 Château d’Esclans Les Clans Rosé, Côtes de Provence, France
2023 will go down in Provence rosé history as the vintage when all three ‘Château d’Esclans’ wines hit the high notes simultaneously. The trio of 2023s have only just been released, and I was privileged to taste them with Sacha Lichine in London in November. This tasting further underlined that these are genuinely authentic fine wines that stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s top sparklers, whites and reds. Garrus has long been the grandest rosé on the planet, and I find so much to admire in this wine; it is incredible.
2023 Château d’Esclans Garrus Rosé is firm, bright, crystalline and refined with blonde oak and blanched almond highlights. This level of composure is usually only found in graceful Grand Cru Burgundies. Precision cut, reserved and reluctant to show its full hand this early in its development, this is another cosmic performance from this trailblazing wine. My headliner, Les Clans, shows another level of elegance, coupled with lip-smacking precocity, so while Garrus is one for the cellar, Les Clans is ready to romance from the moment it is released. Near perfect in weight, timbre and balance, this is a glorious wine, and it can perform every duty from complex canapés to main course feasts!
Where Garrus slows the conversation down so one can fully appreciate the constellation of flavours present, Les Clans skips along merrily, making it the definitive ‘rich person’s fast wine’. If you were left to your own devices, I could see Les Clans disappearing at an impressive rate of knots without ever tiring the taste buds or becoming repetitive. Finally, it is extremely exciting to announce that the estate wine, 2023 Château d’Esclans Rosé, has finally – and it has been a bit of a wait – joined its fellows at the top of the tree. For as long as I can remember, this cuvée has been meandering around, searching for a purpose.
Whispering Angel and Rock Angel have bookended this portfolio at the commercial end, and Les Clans and Garrus soared around the stratosphere, leaving ‘Château’ somewhat lost. In 2023, there is so much gravitas and purity that it has gone from also-ran to catwalk-ready in one fell swoop. I would go so far as to say the silhouette of this wine is more Puligny-like than many Pulignys! This is easily the most exciting estate Esclans to date, and it is fabulously open and vibrant with skipping-stone flavours and lashings of joie de vivre. What a trio! 19/20 (Drink now – 2028)
Adding to this tasting note –
2023 Château d’Esclans Rosé looked even more composed and refined than in November, and it was a consummate aperitif wine with stunningly decadent canapés. We tasted through Les Clans 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2017. The 2023 is clearly a thoroughbred; despite its youth, it looked every inch a superstar, as noted above. The 2022 was spicier and more crunch and active on the palate, and I loved the brittle acidity on the finish. 2021 was more expressive, fleshy, and main course shaped. It was just starting to hit its peak!
The 2020 was a wickedly delicious wine with stunning balance and completeness. I have always adored this vintage.
The 2017 was tiring a touch, but it shows that at eight years old, there is still energy in the tank. Remarkable.
We then repeated the same vintages with Garrus and as you might expect, the flavours were bolder, fuller and more dashing!
The 2023 is a masterful creation, but it is tense and coiled! The 2022 looked ravishing. I have always had a soft spot for this awesome wine, and it is just starting to show signs of softening. That said, it is possible to bathe in its glory already, as long as you have the right food in front of you (we enjoyed roast chicken).
2021 showed more crystalline traits with lashing so juicy fruit, straight-jacketed by thrilling acidity. Drinking, but with so much class and tension, this will run and run.
The 2020 was typically silky and beautiful – an haute couture vintage – and it is drinking well now and will continue for a good few years to come.
The 2017 is an event horizon wine! It was a challenging vintage and a triumphant result. Drinking beautifully, with incredible grace and kaleidoscopic complexity, it underlines that this collection of rosé wines is the most age-worthy and delicious in the wine world, and they deserve a place in the very finest cellars on earth.
2024 Whispering Angel Rosé, Caves d’Esclans, Sacha Lichine, Côtes de Provence, France
As I talked with Sacha, he let me into a secret. He thinks 2024 is one of the finest vintages he has ever seen in Provence. And, if this wine is anything to go by, he is right. This is a seamless, languid, soothing Whispering Angel with terrific balance and immediate appeal. Sometimes, this wine takes a couple of months to get into its stride. Sometimes, it misses summer altogether, falling into equilibrium in time for turkey at Christmas, although I suspect no one notices or even cares! In 2024, it is impeccable from the off. This is justifiably the most famous / best value rosé in the world and if anyone still thinks otherwise, one sip of this beguilingly lip-smacking wine will change their minds – Chapeau!
There are many suppliers of all these wines in the UK, including countless retailers for Whispering Angel, so you are likely to find it everywhere given that 10m bottles are produced, but the Estate wines can be found from Vinatis, Selfridges, Fine Wine Direct, Hedonism Wines, Vinvm, ND John, Millesima, Jeroboams and Harrods.
Sacha Lichine on premium rosé: ‘We’re not trying to change the world. We’re trying to get the word out’
By Sophie Arundel
Instagram @thewhisperingangel
If you think rosé, you might think of magnums being poured from height into peoples mouths at La Folie Douce, or endless glasses poured along the Riviera by those wanting a quick route to tipsiness under the Mediterranean sun. It’s not exactly a category steeped in the reverence afforded to Burgundy or Bordeaux. But one producer that has undeniably reshaped perceptions is Château d’Esclans—the house behind Whispering Angel. Whether you love it or not, there’s no denying its cultural impact.
On Friday 7 March, an intimate lunch at Annabel’s in Mayfair (because where else?) set the stage for a deeper dive into Château d’Esclans’ premium rosé offering. The table, filled with pastel-hued flowers mirroring the soft pink hues of the Garrus 2024 and Les Clans 2024 vintages, framed a discussion around where rosé fits in the fine wine world.
A different approach to premium Rosé
At the lunch, Lichine was clear about his intentions: “We’re not trying to change the world. We’re trying to get the word out.” Rather than waging a campaign to convince sceptics that rosé is a “serious” wine, the goal is simply to offer premium rosé in a premium setting. Fine dining restaurants, Michelin-starred establishments, and collectors’ cellars—places where traditionally only white and red have had a seat at the table.
The UK has driven fine wine trends for centuries. As Lichine noted, “If it wasn’t for the UK, there wouldn’t be a fine wine market.” Whether UK drinkers will embrace premium rosé in the same way remains to be seen. But with bottles of Garrus and Les Clans appearing in more high-end settings, it’s clear that Château d’Esclans has already succeeded in making it an option.
The wines: Beyond the beach club
Esteemed wine author Jane Anson has described Les Clans as a “serious wine that still has the fresh lightness of touch of a perfect summer rosé,” and the tasting notes back that up.
Garrus is often likened to an elegant white Burgundy. Made primarily from nearly century-old, low-yielding Grenache vines, it is the most complex expression of Côtes de Provence rosé. Comprising 90% free-run juice, the wine is vinified in 600-litre temperature-controlled oak barrels, undergoing bâtonnage twice weekly over an eleven-month period to build structure and depth.
Les Clans, the sibling to Garrus, offers a more structured take on rosé, balancing its fresh, summer-ready minerality with a rich, satiny texture. Made from old-vine Grenache and Rolle, it undergoes ten months of ageing in new and second-year demi-muids, developing woody, vanilla, and fresh fruit notes alongside a saline finish.
With over 10 million bottles of Whispering Angel sold annually, the brand has undoubtedly dominated the rosé space. But while the name has become ubiquitous, Château d’Esclans’ top cuvées are designed to show that rosé doesn’t have to be an afterthought on a fine dining wine list.
Innovation in winemaking
Château d’Esclans has pioneered technological advancements in rosé production. As Sacha Lichine himself put it, “You wouldn’t be able to make rosé like this if it wasn’t for the technology.”
Rosé is deceptively difficult to produce well, particularly when the goal is to achieve a Burgundian level of complexity while working with diverse terroirs. The process begins with carefully picked and sorted grapes, which are cooled and pressed before entering a sophisticated temperature-control system. Here, a double-layered stainless steel heat exchange system rapidly drops the temperature from around 25°C to 7-8°C, preserving freshness and aromatic intensity.
The next step, a closed-loop press system using inert nitrogen gas, prevents oxidation while enhancing the wine’s clarity and purity. The resulting free-run juice undergoes degumming, allowing unwanted solids to settle before fermentation. The end result? A clean, precise rosé with a pale, elegant hue and a depth that challenges preconceptions.
Executives from French winery to join La Goulue’s Feb. 23 food-and-wine event
By M.M. Cloutier
La Goulue executive chef Gwen Le Pape, from left, Chateau d’Esclans’ Alexis Lichine, Jr., La Goulue founder Jean Denoyer, and La Goulue sommelier Xavier To Van Trang.
Palm Beach French bistro La Goulue is hosting a Feb. 23 food-and-wine pairing event spotlighting the southeastern France wine estate that produces the famed Whispering Angel rosé.
For the 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. affair, two special guests are on tap and they hail from Whispering Angel parent Château d’Esclans.
They are Paul Chevalier, the winery’s vice president, and Alexis Lichine, Jr., business-development manager and son of Château d’Esclans’ founder.
The two will offer insights and assist La Goulue sommelier Xavier To Van Trang as he hosts the late-afternoon event at the bistro, 288 S. County Road.
Guests will be served four wine-paired Provence-inspired tasting courses by executive chef Gwen Le Pape.
The menu starts with an amuse bouche of chilled shrimp with garlic mayonnaise and crudité; then, an appetizer featuring stuffed zucchini, yellow squash and tomato with angus beef, tomato sauce and basil.
Braised angus beef stew with olives, preserved lemon and rice pilaf is the main course. For dessert: brioche tart with orange-blossom pastry cream and pearl sugar.
Reservations are required for the event, which is $195 a person, plus tax and gratuity.
This year we are celebrating Valentine’s Day with a fine dining mood and a special “glamour”
By Nelli Kalamara
Aigli Zappeiou welcomes the celebration of love with an exquisite fine dining menu and unique culinary experiences, under the supervision of the renowned team of chefs of the historic restaurant.
Executive Chef Dimos Balopoulos and Executive Sous Chef Giorgos Kirikos have curated an excellent menu that includes exquisite choices such as Red Shrimp Crudo with bisque and citrus, Pandaria with goat cheese, and the signature dish Beef Bourguignon with vegetables and mashed potatoes.
The menu is accompanied by a carefully selected wine pairing that includes exceptional labels: the Chateau d’Esclans 2022, an elegant Grenache-Rolle from Côtes de Provence, the aromatic Saulheim Riesling 2022 ‘Kalkstein’ from the famous Weingut Thorle in Rheinhessen, the exuberant G d’Estournel 2019 Bordeaux Blend, and for the closing, the sweet Samos Nectar 2016, an exquisite Samos Muscat.
The desserts, creations of Head Pastry Chef Alexandros Koniaris , include delicious options such as Pavlova with vanilla cream and fresh fruit and Bitter Chocolate with red fruits and a crunchy fegentine base.
The festive setting is complemented by Executive Bar Manager Dimitris Roussos’ inspired signature cocktail list, with suggestions such as the White Chocolate Martini and the Exotic Highball. The evening begins with a welcome drink of Louis Roederer Brut Collection. Valentine’s Day at Aigli Zappeio offers an unforgettable gastronomic experience in an idyllic setting, overlooking the historic center of Athens.
Carbone’s Annual Oktoberfest Raises Funds
Carbone’s Hospitality hosted its fourth annual Oktoberfest at Carbone’s Prime in Rocky Hill on Sept. 19. Guests enjoyed an evening featuring delicious food prepared at live chef stations by the team at Carbone’s Prime, paired with a variety of fine beer, wine and spirits poured by distributor representatives during the charitable event. Hosted by FOX61’s Lauren Rovella and Keith McGilvery and 96 TIC-FM’s and WTI- AM 1080’s Mark the Shark Christopher, all proceeds benefited Laura’s Garden, a nonprofit working to provide educational opportunities through nature-based learning.
