Tag Archives: provence

Our Top 9 Rosés

So many rosés, so little time. As always, we’ve done the dirty delicious work of tasting through hundreds of the season’s offerings to bring you the best of the bunch. Here’s our wine buyer Kate Miceli on why she chose the following 9, out of the 50+ we have in store, as the favorites this year. 

Mittelbach, Austria
The Mittelbach rosé is perfect for those who prefer a pronounced and bold style of wine.  Made from the Austrian red grape Zweigelt and loaded with flavors of dark cherries and muddled raspberries that finishes dry! So so great with BBQ. $17.99

Ameztoi Txakolina, Basque, Spain
A rosé from Basque Country in Spain!  This might be the most refreshing one of the season because it is bone-dry and super spritzy.  Pour it from higher than usual into your glass to incorporate extra bubbles and enjoy. $21.99 

Little Sheep, France
New to Bottles this year, this adorable bottle has been an instant hit. The wine tastes like ripe strawberries and pillow-y cotton candy – it’s so super fruity and ends with just a touch of delightful sweetness! $12.99

Commanderie de Peyrassol, Provence, France
Peyrassol has set the benchmark of style and quality for Provencal rosé. It’s classic, unpretentious, and is a good mix of flavors like ripe berries, sea breeze, and lemon! This is the OG pink wine. $21.99

Yes Way Rosé, France
Yes Way Rosé has pool party written all over it!  It tastes like watermelon rinds, lemons, and sunshine (says Dan)!  Dry and so refreshing.  If you love Whispering Angel, try this one too. $14.99 

Tempier, Bandol, France 
Let this wine transport you to the picturesque town of Bandol, set in the south of France in the Mediterranean Sea.  This is the treat of the summer that does not disappoint and will always impress!  Ask about our 1.5L mags, too. $47.99 

Steininger, Austria
One of the many rosés that people ask for more and more every year. I visited the winery in Austria earlier this year, and the family reveled in that this past warmer season was the best vintage they can remember in over 17 years.  Try this at least once, it’s delicious and looks oh so refreshing in the bottle when frosty cold. $19.99

#Lou Peyrassol, Provence, France
A big-time Bottles favorite because it works for every occasion, from a fire-escape picnic to a yacht-club gala.  Try this delicious entry-level wine from the very famous and beloved Peyrassol house. $14.99

Le Poussin, France
Another awesome value rosé from France that does not disappoint!  Great as a summer sipper… but also, are you trying to make Froze this year?  Use this as a base wine for those refreshing popsicles or slushes — it already tastes like ripe summer raspberries and strawberries. $11.99 

 Cheers to summer!
-Kate 

prices subject to change 
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Peyrassol Rosés: That’s A Great Price, But What Do They Taste Like?

pey_groupIn a word, amazing.

First, some context: Even if you’re not a history buff, the story of the Peyrassol domain is pretty astounding. The estate was founded in the 13th century by the Knights of the Templar on the site of their Commanderie. (Yes, those same Knights who were dedicated to protecting the crusaders en route to the Holy Land.) Winemaking has continued on that very same land, uninterrupted over the centuries, under the command of various powers and families, to this day. And with that amount of practice and experience under its belt, it’s no wonder that Peyrassol produces wines that are considered the benchmark against which all other Provencal rosés are measured.

Today, Peyrassol adheres to strict organic guidelines in the vineyard, eschewing synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and fungicides for natural methods. The wines are a beautiful expression of the region’s clay and limestone terroir, capturing the very essence of Provence: fresh, refined elegance.

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The creme de la creme of the Peyrassol rosé collection is the Chateau de Peyrassol. Made with grapes harvested from the domain’s oldest vines, the wine gets its darker color, character and concentration from a long maceration period. It is a more full-bodied rosé, with notes of citrus, peach and apricot. It’s lively yet delicate, and is a very special bottle.

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By comparison, the Commanderie de Peyrassol is a bit more traditional: it’s lighter in body with more minerality. It starts with lovely fruit blossom aromas, has refreshing flavors of watermelon and peach and finishes on a silky, stony note. The domain considers it the workhorse of the estate.

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The newest addition to the Peyrassol lineup is entry-level-priced #Lou. It’s a highly-drinkable rosé for those both just getting into pink wine, as well as those of us who drink it year-round. It has a crisp start, fills your mouth with wild strawberries and citrus flavors, then finishes with mineral notes.

All three wines are on sale at Bottles through June 15th, 2017, at pricing meant to encourage your exploration of this historical and excellent estate. We think you’ll enjoy them as much as we do.

— #Lou: $11.99 (or just $10 a bottle with a 12-btl case purchase)
— Commanderie de Peyrassol: $19.99 (or just $16.66 a bottle with a 12-btl case purchase)
— Chateau de Peyrassol: $24.99 (or just $20.83 a bottle with a 12-btl case purchase)
(additional case discounts and rewards points do not apply)

All prices subject to change.

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The Top 5 New-In-Store Rosés

Last week we gave you a list of our no-fail rosés, those that have proven to be, vintage after vintage, reliably delicious.

Today we introduce you to a few of the newest additions to our rosé stable, those that Nick and Kate tasted for the first time just a month or so ago. They were the favorites among the many bottles that we opened a few weeks back at our annual all-staff rosé tasting, and we think you’ll love them.

mermRabble Rosé, Paso Robles, CA
A big, round, fruit-driven joy of a wine. It’s not sweet, but it’s ripe, and it’s made by Rabble, formerly known as Force of Nature, also known as one of our store’s most popular vintners. $14.99

assobioEsporao “Assobio,” Douro, Portugal
Refreshing with a delicate juiciness. It’s a crowd pleasing glass of red berries and minerals and a sister wine to the Assobio red, another of our store’s year-after-year most popular bottles.
$11.99

louPeyrassol “#Lou” Provence, France
From the classic Chateau Peyrassol comes this approachable, and lower-priced, bottle. It’s crisp with delicate notes of citrus, tart red fruits, and some peach. It will pair perfectly with summer Saturday afternoons. $14.99

bourgogneDomaine Gueguen, Burgundy, France
A rosé made just a few steps away from one of our favorite wine regions, Chablis. It’s dry with hints of thyme and rhubarb, peach and apricot. It’s 100% pinot noir and a steal at this price.
$18.99

tibourenClos Cibonne Tibouren, Provence, France
Elegant & bone dry, light but luxurious, lingering licks of bright fresh strawberry. This one will likely go down in the record books as our all-time favorite. It’s. That. Good. $27.99

All prices subject to change.

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The Top 8 Late-Summer Rosés

Man is it hot.

The dog days are here – there’s no mistaking it.

But rather than bemoan the sweltering heat, let’s embrace it. Why not revel in the sultry steam, particularly when there’s still so much great rosé – the ultimate, refreshing summer sipper – to be had.

Grab a glass (any size or shape will do), an icy cold rosé (we have over 40 chilled), an ice-cube if you’d like (all the cool kids are doing it), and let the waves of heat wash over you. Soon it will be snowy February here in New England, and you’ll wish you did.

Here are the top 8 rosés to get you through the remaining days and nights of  the summer of 2016.

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Chateau La Gordonne, ‘Verite du Terroir’ – Provence, France
This wine has a series of complex aromas, but primarily strawberry and blackcurrant. It’s a classic light Provencal rosé. $19.99

Meinklang, ‘Frizzante’ – Burgenland, Austria  
This is a long lived staff favorite, and for good reason!  It’s bright, refreshing, semi-sparkling, and organic.  Mix up your evenings and dinners by starting with a fun light bit of bubbles in place of prosécco or a cocktail.  $21.99

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Domaine Tempier – Bandol, France
So … sticker-shock aside: this is a world-class, amazing wine… that just happens to be rosé! Bandol is a small fishing village within Provence that has a small but powerful wine region around it. Made from a minimum of 50% mourvedre, these wines are capable of aging for years.  We love Bandol in general, but Domaine Tempier is an archetype. Their wines are made from vines that are more than 20 years old, with lower yields. This rosé has notes of peach and pomegranate, and will not disappoint.  A great use of your Bottles’ Rewards Points! $47.99

Domaine La Fage, ‘Miraflors’ – Languedoc, France
Another super dependable entry from the south of France, the Miraflors is a blend of grenache and mourvedre, and has notes of raspberries and rose petals. $16.99

Calcu Vineyards, ‘Reserva Especial Rosé’ – Colchagua Valley, Chile
This Chilean blend is made up of malbec, syrah, and petite verdot.  It has a nice fresh acidity that is slightly tart and works well with many foods. $13.99

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Chateau de Segries, Tavel – Provence, France
What a great example of a classic Provencal rosé. Tavel is a smaller region within Provence that produces deeply colored, beautiful full wines that are able to age for several years. $20.99

Serafini & Vidotto, “Bollicine” – Veneto, Italy
And now for something completely different. The Serafini rosé is a fully sparkling Italian wine that offers a great prosécco alternative without a massive price jump. It’s made from chardonnay and pinot nero and is incredibly refreshing. $17.99

Chateau Lancyre – Provence, France
This wine is a blend of syrah, grenache, and cinsault that has a wonderful fruity nose followed up by good, strong minerality from its limestone vineyard.  $19.99

Remember, rosés are finite. Once they’re gone for the season, they’re gone. Shop early and shop often!

Keep cool, Rhode Island.

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