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Category Archives: Wines of Provence

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Some vineyards of the Cotes de Provence

26 Thursday Feb 2015

Posted by anneeuropeantravel in Wines of Provence

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blanc de blanc, controlled production method, Cotes de Provence, gourmet tours, Luxury Travel Consultant2, Organic standard, vineyards, wines

Le Domaine Ott was founded in 1896 by an Alsacian winemaker. This winemaker could be considered the ambassador for the Cotes de Provence. Only 25% of these wines have been exported. The estate produces powerful red wines, which improves with aging, some nice white wines and some exceptional roses.  They can be consumed  the year they were produced or after 3 to 4 years and truly count among the great wines of France. The quality of the wine drives every level of production: the choice of the soil, the variety, and the method of tending the wines. They use traditional native southern French varieties for all types of wines, and practice organic cultivation without pesticides, but do use trace elements and Bordeaux mixture to combat disease. The copper-and-lime preparation is classified here as a natural treatment, and considered truly effective. The production of these wines is characterized by the methods employed : The vines organically tended and protected and carefully harvested, the grapes are meticulously sorted and pressed, no addition of sulfur, only long fermentation , and maturation in oak casks. There are different wine growing areas, Chateau de  Ramassan at Beausset, Clos Mireille by the sea, and Chateau de Selle on the hills of the Haut-Pays,in which the Otts exercise their expertise.  The wines of all three bear the characteristics of their particular terroir, and contribute to the good reputation of the appellation. The estate also produces an eau de vie de Provence. The production process takes six good years, conducted in a very regimented manner. Stern legal controls are imposed, affecting each stage of distillation. The still used to produce the spirits of Domaine Ott is sealed, and remains so until a customs official unseals it. The exact date and time of filling the still , the weight of the marc ( the pomace) used, and the strength and quantity of the alcohol produced must be precisely noted and the moment when the distillation process is halted has to be declared right away. The Estate will only keep the spirit produced during the middle period of distillation is kept. This small fraction contains the finest alcohols, which make up only 5% of the total volume. Then the marc is then transferred to casks and matured for 6 months before being licensed by Onivins ( The office National interprofessional  of wines.

After a 3 to 4 years maturation , the marc has a pale yellow color that develops into an orange-brown hue over the next four years. The flavor will mellow with age, without losing the original strength of its alcoholic content. Blending will be the final stage of the production, it also demands the skill of the wine-maker-distiller. Often several vintages are mixed to achieve ,a balance of flavor, and the resulting blend allowed to rest for 4 more months. Finally the desired marc is ready to be bottled and sold!.

Chateau de Selle has a neighbor, Chateau Rasque. The vineyard maintains the cultivation of traditional grape varieties by traditional methods. Harvesting is done by hand, to minimize the damage to the grapes. This in itself will explain the character of the resulting wines; elegant & fine reds, aromatic delicate whites, and soft aromatic roses.

The Domaine de Richaume sits at the foot of Sainte-Victoire  and the cultivation practiced here is strictly conducted, combining a concern for quality with modern technology. The vines grow on stony soil and are tended with great care, and an increasingly approach to organic standards. The wine maker’s care is very important in environmental matters, diversity of varieties, careful harvesting and storage in oak barrels. All these factors are very important and contribute to producing wines of very high quality.

The rose is made up of Southern France‘s finest grape varieties. Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault.  It has a very delicate citrus fragrance. The reds have a bouquet that is reminiscent of red fruits and spices. The 1996 vintage had to be decanted but for by 2006 this vintage will develop its full potential in richness.

The Blanc de Blancs are matured in oak barrels, they are elegant and fruity wines. The estate Domaine Real Martin, Clos Minuty, Domaine Gavoty, Commanderie de Peyrassol produce very good wines that can serve as an advertisement for the appellation. It is clear that Cotes de Provence has much more to offer than a simple rose table wine. The wine estates of this area prove that a rigorously controlled production method, whether using traditional or modern technology, is a very important factor contributing to the production of fine quality wines.

Organic Wine growing.

Organic wine growing is governed by a European regulation of 1991. The key principles are these:

– No artificial chemical products  are allowed to be used in cultivation.

– The rules of organic cultivation must have been applied for three growing seasons before the wine is allowed to bear on the bottle label the words ( wine produced from organically grown grapes).

– Certification must be given by an office that is recognized for that purpose.

– The wine grower must have informed the relevant chamber of agriculture of his activity.imgres-5imgres-4imgres-1imagesimgresimgres-2imgres-3

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Some of my favorite moments in Provence

22 Monday Sep 2014

Posted by anneeuropeantravel in Provencal ways to vacation, Provence Food, Wines of Provence

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Antibes, Bormes les mimosas, bouillabaisse, Calanques, Camargue, Cap Ferrat, Cassis, Chateauneuf du Pape, Cheeses, Chevre d'or, cistercian monastery, Couvent des minimes spa.Antique l'isle sur la Sorgue, Envau, Eze, Gordes, Grasse, La Turbie, lavender, market, Marseille Van Gogh, Mas de Peint, Miramar, monastery Saint Paul de Mausol, perfume, Porquerolles, Uzes, Vaucluse

Riding the white horses of the Camargue. The desolate marshy flatlands of the Rhone Delta are also home to the Pink Flamingos, bulls and white horses ridden by French cowboys, called Guardians. Saddle up with La bergerie de Maguelonne or at the well known Mas de Peint. You will discover a world of wild birds, salt lagoons, and beautiful panoramas, definitely not reachable by car.

A wondeful , gastronomic meal  at a Provencal Table D’Hote. Life cannot get any better than indulging at Michelin starred Chateau de la Chevre d’Or in the tiny village of Eze, perched above the Mediterranean.

Following the Mimosa trail. Between , January and March, the Cote d’Azur comes alive  with very sweet scented balls of yellow mimosa flowers. The mimosa trail is an amazing  ( 80 mile) path along the hilly back-lands between Bormes-les-Mimosas and Grasse, the capital of perfume and you can watch the landscape bloom with the fragrant  buds.

Bathing in the Calanques. You can explore the truly hidden splendor of creeks and beaches, snuggled between the jagged white cliffs between Marseille and Cassis. Envau, is the prettiest calanque, known for its sandy beach and needle like rock formations.

Eating Bouillabaisse in Marseille’s Miramar.  You can grab a table at the Miramar’s sunny terrace, order a crisp sunny white wine and wait for the Bouillabaisse to arrive. This rich recipe  – made from many of fresh fish, saffron and orange zest is one reason you should visit Marseille.

Tasting Chateauneuf du Pape wine. In the green vineyards around Chateauneuf du Pape grow France’s most famous product. When you travel around the Vaucluse, just pop into one of the many chateaux whose cote du Rhone wines are  among the best in the country.

Having a picnic on Porquerolles. Is a must for nature lovers, who will truly adore the expanses of pine forests, olive groves, vineyards and beautiful beaches.

L’Abbaye de Senanque in bloom. All of us have seen cliched pictures of L’abbaye de Senanque in bloom, I saw it a couple of time but I will admit that the seas of lavender surrounding the 12th-century Cistercian monastery are just breathtaking, especially when approached from Gordes.

Basking in the glory of Rome. In the bougainvillea-scented village of La Turbie. The gigantic trophee  des Alpes to celebrate emperor Augustus‘s victory against the Ligurians in 13 b.c. it used to mark the frontier between Italy and Gaul, and it stills over seeping views over Cap Ferrat and Eze.

Spending an afternoon at the antique mecca, L’Isle sur La Sorgue. Sifting through antiques is one of my favorite pastime,even here in San Francisco. Whether you covet an original Louis XIV chair or just search into other people’s junk for a hidden treasure. This place is a paradise for antique lovers of every stripe.

The haunting tranquility of Saint Paul de Mausol monastery. It is where Vincent Van Gogh committed himself after lopping off his ear in Arles. The tormented artist silently painted the cloisters and monastery gardens. It can be a very moving experience. A series of illustrated panels show his works on the sites where the artist painted them.

A spa day, rejuvenate at le Couvent des Minimes.  As the sun sets over the hills  in Haute-Provence, let the couvent knead away your tensions in the spa ( they are the only one in France to use Provencal Occitane products). Later on you can dine  on fine Mediterranean cuisine in the hotel Restaurant.

Fill up at Antibes Provencal market.  Provencal markets are very colorful, bustling and the stalls are filled with beautiful and delicious produce, charcuterie and cheeses. Antibes ‘ covered market makes a plum spot to stock a picnic basket.

http://www.luxurytravelconsultant2.com

On Facebook luxury travel consultant2.

Epicurean experiences in Provence-Special offer thanksgiving 2014. Travel experiences.myshopiffy.com

Anne Suire

Antibes INDOOR MARKET.

Antibes INDOOR MARKET.

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Chateau Roubine

30 Monday Jun 2014

Posted by anneeuropeantravel in Wines of Provence

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Chateau Roubine.

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