THE SENSUOUS WINE LOVER

Warm summer days and evenings are perfect for a chilled glass of rose.  There's an accent over that e, but I have no way of placing it because Blogger doesn't allow for symbols, so for the record, I'm referring to the wine and not the flower.  I am especially enamored of two wines from different regions in the south of France right now.  Domaine Sorin has a lovely rose (imagine the accent) from the Bandol region of Provence on the coast.  The winery and vineyards are about five miles inland from the shore with views of the Mediterranean.  The days are hot and the cool breezes from the sea at night are perfect conditions for growing the grapes.

The wine is made from 40% Grenache, 40% Cinsault, 10% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre and is light with intense flavors on the nose and palette of strawberries, watermelon and cranberries.

Domaine de Fontsainte (fount of the saint) is named after a spring at a monastery near the winery.  Saint Simeon.  The vineyards are in Boutenac in the Courbiers appellation in Languedoc near the Pyrenees.  The wine is made with 70% Grenache Gris and Noir, 10% Mourvedre, 10% Carignon and 10% Cinsault.  On the nose are notes of fresh strawberries, raspberries and cherries.  The soils are gritty and gravelly in this region and the grapes are hand picked.  The winery is built on an ancient Roman site and coins from the 5th century were found in the soil.  Both wines go well with fish and grilled vegetables or just sitting on the porch sippin' and enjoying the sunset.  I call it 'Porchin' it.'  Both wines retail for under $20.. 

It is on my list of thing to do to visit both these wineries next fall at harvest.  Anyone want to join me?