Provençal Pairings: Wine with Food Allons Enfants!
by David Scott Allen
Winery: Famille Perrin
Cuvée: Réserve
Appellation: Côtes du Rhône
Type: Rosé
Vintage: 2024
Grape Varieties: Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah
Alcohol: 12.5%
Average Retail Price: $12-14
While I am one day late for the 4th of July, we have a whole week to prepare for the Fête de la Bastille, which makes much more sense when writing about French wines, n’est-ce pas? Allons enfants! Let’s celebrate!
For the recipe this month, I combined a modern American recipe for “beer can chicken” with some very nice French ingredients, also making it a perfect Bastille Day meal. Please check out my recipe for Champagne Roast Chicken on Cocoa & Lavender. I paired it with a Famille Perrin Côtes du Rhône rosé.
I am going to start with the overall review — this is a great wine for a summer grilling experience, whether it be my Champagne Roast Chicken (a really perfect pairing), fish and seafood, or simply grilled meats. The brightness and acidity of the wine are the perfect foil for the depth of flavor achieved on the grill.
Backing up a bit, the wine has a beautiful, very pale, salmon pink color. So pale that Markipedia mistook it for a white wine when looking for it in the refrigerator. (Insert shrugging emoji here.)
I found the nose to be quite simple but very bright and appealing: tart strawberry and peach, with a touch of lemon. On the palate, it is characterized by flavors of citrus, redcurrant and strawberry — it is quite refreshing and is an excellent summer sipping wine. The wine is light bodied and well balanced.
For the price, you can’t beat this wine. Bring it to a friend’s home for apéro; it will go nicely with salty snacks (chips, nuts, seeds) and aged cheeses. Or save it for your Bastille Day barbecue.
Joyeux fête de la Bastille!
I’m very fond of rosé, especially the pale ones. I’m sure I’d enjoy this Famille Perrin Côtes du Rhône rosé – I drink a lot of Monastrell (Mourvèdre) from Jumilla.
Hi Mad Dog! I don’t know that I have ever had a wine from Jumilla! Tell me what to look for…I am gathering it is likely a red wine you prefer. Do you prefer a blend or single varietal? Does the region produce rosés? I bet you are a red Bandol fan!
Hey, Mad Dog — like Susan, I’m very curious to know about the Monastrell. I doubt I can find it here, but I will be looking. Thanks for your comment — this light rosé is quite elegant.
A glass of good rosé is ideal on a sweltering day, and this Côtes du Rhône sounds perfect to go with the Beer Can Chicken!
I agree that a good rosé on a hot day makes for a great partner (and solo is pretty appealing, too!). I can’t wait to try it with David’s chicken!
It is, indeed, a wonderful pairing on a hot summer day, Barb! Susan is trying out the chicken this weekend (charcoal version) and I’m anxious to hear what she thinks. Your firsthand knowledge of the recipe, and the fact that you use Herbes de Provence, gives me confidence she will love it, too.
Susan will love it, as charcoal gives the best flavor, it’s just so messy to use and clean up is a chore!