2017 Château Les Valentines La Gourmande Rouge – Côtes de Provence AOP, France – Structured Red from Rosé Country

A red from rosé country.

Provence is not just rosé, and this Grenache and Syrah blend proves it. La Gourmande is medium-bodied, dark-fruited and laced with herbs, with soft tannins and good depth. This is the 2017, so it has some bottle age.

Tastes like: Blackberry and black olive, with thyme, clove and forest floor.
Feels like: Medium-bodied and dry, with soft tannins, balanced freshness and a light touch of oak.
Great with: Ratatouille, roast chicken, charcuterie, grilled mushrooms.
Singapore and Asian favourites: Soy sauce chicken, char siew, claypot rice.

The geeky bit: Grenache and Syrah from low-yielding vines on schist-rich soils near the Mediterranean. Organic.

Why we like it: A rare red from Provence that is both refined and full of character.

Serve: 16 to 18°C. Room temperature in Singapore is too warm for red wine, so give it 20 minutes in the fridge first.
Alcohol: 13.5%