This is a perfectly pale pink rosé from the organic vineyards of Christian and Caroline Gourjon. Their estate sits at the confluence of Arels, Nimes, and Avignon, just north of the iconic rosé region of Provence. The blend of Grenache Noir, Cinsault, Vermentino, and Syrah mirrors that of the brand leading Whispering Angel. However, and here you must applaud French beureauracy, being only a lowly IGP classification the wine offers much better value for money!
The vineyards are nestled in a nature zone designated to protect the little bustard (illustrated on the label). It is named for their daughter, Héloïse, who, like the wine, exudes joie de vivre and cheerfulness.
It is a fine, refreshing, and expressive rosé with juicy cherry fruit alongside touches of pear and spice. On the palate it is refined and textural.
Great as an apperitif, or try it with the first asparagus of the season.
The Rhône Valley has been a hub of wine culture since ancient times. Viticulture arrived with the Greeks in the 4th century BC. But it was the Romans who really established the vineyards and reputation of the area using the Rhône as their highway through France.
The region's wines are known for their richness, depth, and complexity, and their ability to age beautifully. They many illustrious villages including Chateauneuf du Pape and Côte-Rôtie.
Found throughout northern Spain and southern France, there are three variants: Grenache Noir, Blanc and Gris.
Grenache Noir is the most common. It is generally spicy, berry-flavored and soft on the palate. Complex and intense notes of blackcurrants, black cherries, black olives, coffee, gingerbread, honey, leather, black pepper, tar, spices, and roasted nuts can also be found.
For four generations the Gourjon family have farmed the terraces of the Rhône. Their wines are a delicate, yet powerful expression of a centuries-old vineyard.
Set at the crossroads of the Costières de Nîmes and Côtes du Rhône appellations, Château Font Barrièle is a jewel in the heart of history. Forming part of a nature reserve, their emblem is the little bustard, a protected species which soars above the vineyards.
Cinsault is a fragrant and pretty grape. It can have lifted red berry aromas, like raspberry, strawberry and cherry, with floral violet notes.
It is an important component of blends from Languedoc-Roussillon, the southern Rhône and even Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It adds freshness and fragrance to blends of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Carignan, and is also a major contributor to Provence rosé.
Vermentino is a light-skinned white wine grape, primarily found in Italian wine. It is widely planted in both Sardinia and Liguria, to some extent in Corsica, in Piedmont under the name Favorita, and in increasing amounts in Languedoc-Roussillon, where it is called Rolle.
Vermentino wines are powerful, deep, aromatic, and silky on the palate. They are beautiful, pale, and crystalline in colour.
A red grape variety that is widely planted around the world, particularly in southern France, South Africa and Australia. Typically wines are full-bodied and deeply coloured.
Generally called Syrah in the old world, or Shiraz in the new. It produces wines which are typically high in tannins and acidity, and can exhibit a range of flavors and aromas, including blackberry, black pepper, smoke, and leather.
