Le Versant Grenache Rosé Pays d’Oc 2011 Les Vignobles Foncalieu

The wine is consistent throughout, the summer fruit flavour being delivered nicely, but it also has a good acidity that maintains a sharpness at the end of each flavour that makes this refreshing without being predictable. The finish is uplifting although a bit short.

I would suggest serving this at half room temperature rather than chilling it too much, and if served like this then you will be rewarded with much more of the fruit flavours and for a rosé it has quite a bit of depth to give.

The label says “Le Versant is the fruit of sun-drenched lands. Lands selected meticulously to offer a very specific ripeness for each of the different grape varieties. Their sun-blessed grapes are rich in flavour and treated with care to produce deliciously refined wines for every occasion”

This is a general definition of the Le Versant Range from Les Vignobles Foncalieu rather than a review of this particular wine. What it means is that this wine is a blend of selected grapes from specific vineyards, selected to make the finest wine possible, rather than sticking to a particular grape vine on a sole vineyard. The result of doing this creates a superb wine that has consistency of flavour and body, which is so important for wines sold mainly in restaurants and bars.

Le Versant means “the slopes” which, they say, is where the best vines grow.