2009 Chateau Maravenne Cotes de Provence Blanc
During our recent trip to the La Londe market, we strolled through the closed-off streets sampling the local produce, seafood and charcuterie. On this particular Sunday, La Londe was featuring local wineries at their annual wine festival and we couldn’t help but purchase two tickets…I mean wine glasses!
As you might guess, rosé was poured by every chateau at the festival, since it’s the most popular wine here in Provence, but there were plenty of whites and reds to taste too.
The clear leader across the board was Chateau Maravenne for the quality and style of each of their wines. They are a certified biodynamic winery and were pouring a red, white and rosé. All their wines were smooth, well-integrated and fresh, but we were intrigued by their unique, summery blanc which is 100% Rolle.
Rolle is a much lesser known varietal in New World wines, but is actually quite common in Provence, and even in Northern Italy where it is known as Vermentino.
We loved that while this wine had a great balance of acid and citrus fruit in the mouth, it didn’t leave any unpleasant flavors on the finish. There was also a slight silkiness to the wine that would be ideal with the fresh oysters or sea bass we passed by earlier in the day. Just add a squeeze of lemon on top and viola! A match made in heaven…or Provence!
More on the Fête des Vins de La Londe COMING SOON!
2 comments
2 pings
Donna Davis
June 15, 2011 at 6:25 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I was recently in Juan Les Pins & was invited to dinner with some locals from the small town of Biot. The wine they served was Chateau Maravenne 2010 Rose & 2008 Cabernet. Both were as you described, wonderfully smooth & full of fruit. I brought a bottle of each home, sadly, they’ve both been consumed!
Jeff
June 15, 2011 at 10:44 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Sadly, it is the best wines that seem to disappear the fastest. We love those moments when a great wine is discovered and Maravenne was definitely one of those for us. It’s was a special thing for you to find it with great people in such a beautiful place. Thank you for sharing your story and we’re glad that you felt the same about these delicious wines!
–Jeff
Wineries in the Cotes de Provence. - Vino Vagabonds » Vino Vagabonds
May 25, 2011 at 4:41 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
[...] too, they’re just harder to find. We actually featured both our favorite white and red in the two latest ‘What We’re Drinking Now’ posts, so check ‘em [...]
La Londe Wine Festival: A Taste of Provence - Vino Vagabonds » Vino Vagabonds
May 6, 2011 at 3:55 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
[...] « What We’re Drinking Now: 2009 Chateau Maravenne Blanc [...]