Launch of Provence wines route
A road towards exceptional sites
Vineyards of Provence evokes postcards landscapes with sun-soaked vines on rustic terroir bordered on one side by lavender and the other by the Mediterranean. Behind the postcard, the Provence wines routes proposes to go to meet passionate winemakers who are constantly looking to improve their products, and for who modernity means a continuation of their age-old heritage of winemaking. They have elaborated the rosé, the oldest wine in the world, and hoisted it among the gastronomic wines and the height AOC of the region produce Red, Rosé and White wines with equal talent. Provence is already attracting some 34 millions tourists and the main activity for these travelers is visiting «wine cellars» or «caveaux de dégustation». The Provence wines route comprises three departments and has developed a welcoming charter: members will propose a commented degustation, allow a visit of the cellar and the vineyard, and ensure in a neat surroundings a personalized and warm welcome. In order to have travelers easily find the sites, some road signage and warning signs will help visitors locate themselves, and a complete and regularly updated web site will help to choose and prepare the itinerary. The Provence wines route charter was signed on June 27 at the prestigious Chateau Sainte Roseline in the Arcs sur Argens (Var).
www.routedesvinsdeprovence.com
Cannes on the Provence wines route.
In the heart of the Lerins Islands, in front of Cannes, the Abbaye de Lerins monks grow vines and produce very famous wines (Red and White) that passionate Brother Marie-Pâques, will introduce to amateurs. The Abbey of Lerins products enjoy a strong reputation thanks to the monastic tradition of liqueur perpetrated by the monks, and more recently through the development of red and white wines of great quality, recognized by prestigious professionals tables. As evidence: the 2007 gold medal received by the vintage "Saint Sauveur" 2005 vintage. On about 8 hectares, the vineyards are planted half with Chardonnay and Clairette for white wines and Syrah and Mourvedre for red wines. A recent planting of Pinot Noir has produced a very beautiful exceptional vintage whose very limited production is sold on reservations. In addition to its history and its monuments, an occasion of a spiritual stage in the monastery on the Provence wines route.
The Château Sainte Roseline
Chateau Sainte Roseline is a property dating back to the tenth century. It was founded by a hermit named Robaud who decided to settle there, attracted by it's calm beauty and the presence of an abundant spring. In 1994, Mr Bernard TEILLAUD took the destiny of this great property into his hands, with the aim of making it one of the jewels of southern wine-making and a renowned artistic centre.To assure the complete renovation of the abbey and to preserve the noble character of the site, he called on the services of the architect Jean-Michel WILMOTTE. His brief was to give the chateau a new spatial distribution interior of the whilst respecting the constraints of history.
Seven centuries of vine cultivation have demonstrated that the Chateau Sainte Roseline soil is one of the most exceptional in Provence. Furthermore, in 1955 it was awarded with the commendation of " Cru Classé ". Château Sainte Roseline wines regularly obtain numerous awards rewarding the quality of its wines like, in 2010, the Golden Medal for the "Cuvée La Chapelle de Sainte Roseline Red 2007" at the General Concours ofAgriculture in Paris.
The Chateau Sainte Roseline, as the perfect illustration of the qualities offered to wine amateurs and travelers, was the ideal place for the official launch of the Provence wine route.
The Chef Sebastien Sanjou was chosen to realize the cocktail of the official launch. A nice recognition for the talent of this young Bigourdan who daily concocts playful flavors in the kitchen of his nearby restaurant the "Relais des Moines".
