Chateau La Gordonne Rosé, Verite Du Terroir 2014 Provence
By Fergal Gleeson

I was lolling through lunch with a client on Friday enjoying a bottle of Chateau La Gordonne Rosé from Provence. We were dining at the brilliantly located Graze Restaurant in front of the Museum of Contemporary Art, rather messily eating their bouillabaisse which featured a raft full of crustaceans bathed in a rich broth.

The Chateau La Gordonne, a Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault blend was refreshing and a classic match with the famous fish stew. The exhibits at the MCA may riddle or intrigue you but Rosé is definitely an easy drinking and uncomplicated wine style. Sydney harbour was showing off with the Queen Mary II at the Passenger terminal and the waters of Circular Quay all a twinkle in the sunshine.

Tough guys don’t dance. Real men apparently don’t drink Rosé but we were happy to live on the edge. While it lacks the machismo of a Shiraz loaded up with 16% of alcohoI, it is a better friend in a heatwave.

After a lifetime of indifference Rosé is one of the fastest growing wine styles in Australia with an explosion of flavours, colours and grape varietals available. Provence is the spiritual home but there are a host of Australian and imported styles now available mostly available for less than $20.

Australian styles tend to be fuller flavoured and more fruity with the French more demure. Turkey Flat Rosé from the Barossa is a particularly good Australian version. It is an interesting crossover wine as it can be made from any red grape varietal yet it has the characteristics of a white wine being light, refreshing and served chilled. The French are enamoured with it. They drink more Rosé than white wine.

So catch the wave and grab a bottle. Enjoy it while the sun shines!

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