Five reasons you should drink Provence now spring is in the air
While sales may peak in the summer, quality-minded producers are making Provence wines a year-round option. According to Maison Saint Aix, spring is the perfect opportunity to rediscover Provence wines.
There is, it must be said, good reason why the wines of Provence are thought of as summertime treats. There is, firstly, the region’s reputation as a destination. The likes of Cannes and Nice along the Côte d’Azur are quintessential summer destinations. To drink their local wines is to bring a touch of French Riviera elegance to an occasion.
Then there is the flagship product: Provence rosé. It comes in a variety of guises, from the easy-drinking and quaffable to refined, mineralic, complex wines that stand among the world’s best. Invariably, though, their elegant fresh fruit profile and bright acidity makes them suitable for warmer days.
Increasingly, however, the region’s producers are proving that Provence can be a year-long treat – just as suited to autumn, winter and spring. In particular, Maison Saint Aix, a producer that sources from the higher-altitude vineyards further from the Mediterranean, is keen to emphasise that spring is an ideal opportunity to drink its AIX range.
In fact, they have five reasons that a bottle of Provence rosé – or, indeed, another Provence wine – need not stay on the wine rack until the next heatwave.
Bring on the sunshine
It can sometimes be a challenge to make the most of spring. For those of us in the northern hemisphere, we are more than halfway to the longest day of the year. Yet, as it takes a while for the land and sea to warm up, the longer days will not necessarily translate into warmer ones.
When the weather is not yet balmy, sometimes you need a little help to take full advantage of the new season and shake off the cosiness of winter.
That means leaning into spring: colourful layers rather than heavy knitwear, fish and greens rather than rich meats and fruit-forward wines rather than full-bodied tannic beasts.
For that last swap, AIX Rosé is a perfect choice. Its natural freshness suggests warmer days to come, but the slightly fuller body from delicately pressed black grapes suits a cooler season. The subtle floral notes of Cinsault in the blend, meanwhile, offer an aromatic parallel to the first flowers of the year.
Low-key social events
Spring is the time to enjoy longer days and anticipate the warmth of summer. But it is not a pale imitation – in some ways, it is an easier season to enjoy.
Summer comes with pressure: the feeling that you have to enjoy every second of sunshine, even when the mercury has soared and you find yourself sweaty and exhausted. Then, of course, there is scheduling – fitting everything between weddings, festivals and holidays.
In spring, you can indulge in al fresco entertaining – think brunches on terraces or picnics in the park – but the season equally suits light lunches indoors or casual evenings that stretch well past dusk. It is a season full of possibilities, but light on fuss.
For that, AIX Rosé offers the adaptability that is a host’s best friend. Marked by its refreshing profile, the wine works as a welcome drink, but can equally easily be brought to the table and then to casual chats on plush seating. The combination of structure and a succulent profile of fruit notes means it works throughout a social occasion, with or without food.
As an extra aid for the springtime host, Maison Saint Aix has released its latest playlist: Aix is in the Air. The curated selection is available on Spotify, Apple Music and Deezer.
Continuing its work with consultants Playlister, Aix is in the Air presents spring vibes to accompany Maison Saint Aix’s Provence wines, meaning you can set the atmosphere without the stress of music curation.
Perfect pairings
In spring, new life bursts from the ground and with it comes the joy of fresh ingredients. It may not match autumn for abundance, but spring brings an exciting wealth of produce and an invitation to eat fresher and lighter meals.
Rosé pairs well with lighter dishes, so it is a natural fit for spring dining. As the likes of asparagus and purple-sprouting broccoli come into season, vegetarian dishes and risottos benefit from AIX Rosé cutting through.
Later in the season, as greens emerge, you can enjoy the wines with vibrant salads, especially if they involve bold flavours and spice. For any Ottolenghi acolytes out there, the touch of added structure found in a rosé (compared to a white) is a fine canvas for complex flavours.
Spring also sees more fish and seafood to buy, with the likes of monkfish and lobster becoming more available. Provence rosé stands up to such flavours without overwhelming them, its acidity cleansing the palate as you go.
It’s not just rosé
Undeniably, pink wines tend to fly the flag for Provence. You can see why – if your region becomes the global leader for a particular style, you would want to shout about it. But Provence also makes fine white wines.
Part of the success of Provence rosé is that it is always a blend. Monovarietal wines are simply not permitted, so the vineyards are full of local and international grapes ready to be blended.
This includes both black and white grapes, and so Maison Saint AIX likewise puts its blending expertise to use in AIX White. A blend of Rolle (AKA Vermentino), Sauvignon Blanc and Grenache Blanc, it combines flavours of white fruits with a subtle saline lick. Provence proves its versatility with such whites, which have the flavourful profile perfect for spring.
For those who are yet to catch the rosé bug, it is a chance to explore the terroirs of Provence. For those that already think pink, it still has its uses; consider bringing it out as an unexpected aperitif or for pairing with a goat’s cheese starter.
Quality doesn’t care about the season
Perhaps the most important reason to indulge in Provence wine in the spring is that it is just as good all year round.
Certainly, spring invites rosé as a celebration; it welcomes warmer weather, a revved up social calendar and fresher eating. Yet the wines retain their charm all year round.
That is no coincidence. Although the geography – especially in the interplay of limestone soils, Mediterranean breezes and hillside plots – has long meant Provence could make excellent wine, its leading producers have ensured they routinely compete with France’s best.
At Maison Saint Aix, that means the utmost respect for its high-elevation terroirs. In the vineyard, sustainability is key, incorporating practices from organic farming to create a healthy ecosystem, a benefit to both the environment and the wines.
In the winery, precision is the keyword. From the very gentle pressing to a carefully controlled fermentation in cooled stainless steel tanks, the winemaking uses the latest technology to preserve Provence’s inimitable character.
That quality means that the wines need no justification. Open them at any time of year, and you will have a glass brimming with flavour and defined by its refreshing structure.
Still, as the first warmth of spring filters through, it is nice to enjoy a glass that pays tribute to the season. For Maison Saint Aix, now is the perfect moment to reacquaint yourself with Provence rosé.
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