September and October are the warmest months of the year and Indian summer is the perfect time to try a new bottle of rosé or two. The region we’re currently obsessing over? Languedoc—the other South of France. Here are four must-try labels. Cheers!
Puech-Haut is the French chateau known for first bottling its rosé with a sexy glass stopper, a practice that many Languedoc and Provencal producers have copied. The house makes several different types of rosé, and while all are wonderful, the Tête de Belier Rosé stands out from the rest. It has a smooth mouthfeel, jasmine on the nose, and a soft ballet pink color. If you can’t find this, the next best option is the Prestige, a lovely Grenache Cinsaut blend.
Château la Sauvageonne is a legendary site (where Bertrand owns a gorgeous summer home with an infinity pool that overlooks the vineyards) that has a unique soil of ancient terraced volcanic rock. The blend is Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah. Served super cold, it’s a delightful cuvee that’s berry-fruit forward with hints of floral aromas and citrus undertones.
Domaine Montrose is a charming family-owned estate that has been making wine, from generation to generation, for the past 300 years. Today Montrose is run by a father and son team, Bernard and Olivier Coste. They both live on the rural property that is dotted with almond and olive trees. The family has always had a strong affinity for rosé, and their 1701 bottle is superb. A blend of both Grenache noir and blanc, Roussanne, and Syrah, the classic rosé has refined structure and balanced mineralogy.
With hot summer days and cool, breezy nights, Pic Saint-Loup is the highest appellation in the Languedoc. It is here that you’ll find Château de Lancyre, a family-owned operation. They love making rosé because it’s a wine that needs attention and care. A mix of Syrah, Grenache, and Cinsault that is grown in limestone soil, the Lancyre is a bold rosé with bright color and decent acidity.
