Patrice Colin Gris Bodin Rose 2019

This positively beautiful new staff favorite is made of 100% Pineau d’Aunis. The grapes come from 'Bodin', a 3 hectare parcel of flinty clay soil located on top of the plateau of Thoré la Rochette. The vines were planted in 1920 by Georges Colin, Patrice’s grand-father. The grapes are harvested at the beginning of October. Fermented and aged in barrels for 5 months, this is structured and deep while still being elegant and balanced, with notes of pink grapefruit, raspberry, white pepper and minerals. This is just such a lovely expression of dry rosé and a wonderful new discovery from an under-the-radar appellation in the Loire Valley. If you like Sancerre rosé or Chinon rosé or even if you are in a rut with your Provence rosé, try this. 

The obscure AOP of Côteaux du Vendômois was officially formed in 2001, but the history of wine production goes back as far as the 11th century. There is a large cooperative producing 60% of total AOP production and only 13 private producers in the appellation including Patrice Colin.  Coteaux du Vendômois may not currently be as famous as their neighbors Sancerre and Chinon, but historical records show that Henri IV, the first Bourbon king of France, appreciated the region’s wines. So much so, he placed a royal order for Vendômois wine in the year 1000.

The modern obscurity of the region dates back to when Coteaux du Vendômois vignerons were encouraged to rip out vines to plant grain crops after WWII, subsequently reducing the region’s vineyard area from 5,000 to 500 hectares. Although this number has whittled even further to just 152 hectares, Coteaux du Vendômois is experiencing renewed enthusiasm from wine aficionados and savvy sommeliers. The region specializes in light peppery red wines made principally from Pineau d’Aunis with the addition of Gamay and Pinot Noir. Locals recommend serving these wines slightly chilled. Pineau d’Aunis also provides the spicy edge found in the Vin Gris rosé wines. Vendômois white wines, produced from Chenin Blanc, display distinct minerality and pronounced citrus aromas.