As an after-work drink at a hip London wine bar, enjoyed together with a meal at a trendy New York restaurant or sipped on the steps of the Sydney Opera House, AIX Rosé is the ideal wine to share and a perfectly pink way to celebrate summer – joie de vivre in bottled form.
With 300 days of sunshine per year, the Mediterranean Sea sparkles in the background as well-manicured rows of vines line the undulating landscape, intertwined with the region’s famous lavender fields. No other place in Provence embodies classic French joie de vivre more than the historic town of Aix-en-Provence. It’s a charming town with toy-like rows of houses, village squares lined with bistros and cafés and springs bubbling up throughout the 1,000 fountains around town. Aix-en-Provence also finds its name in one of the three wine appellations that make up the wines of Provence – the home and birthplace of rosé. Côteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, once the smaller and less well-known of the appellations, is where one winemaker has been building the reputation of the region as the premium home for fine rosé production, for example the AIX Rosé.
Maison Saint Aix, the 140-year-old winery that former advertising executive Eric Kurver bought together with his wife back in 2009 and renamed after the nearby town, is situated 25 kilometers outside of Aix-en-Provence. The location and altitude at 420 meters above sea level is ideal for fine rosé winemaking, with mineral-rich soils, warm sunny days and cool nights. »The frequent mistral wind ensures the vines are blown dry during the growing season. Along with our organic viticulture, it also guarantees the health of the domaine’s soils and vines,« explains Kurver. With its 75 hectares of vineyards, Maison Saint Aix is one of the largest domaines in the AOP Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence appellation, the perfect terroir coming together to produce well-concentrated fruit with the characteristic fresh acidity that marks truly great rosé. The domaine’s 60-year-old Grenache vines ensure highest quality juice and make up the backbone of the wine, while Syrah and Cinsault grapes make up the rest of the classic rosé blend.
Maison Saint Aix only has one wine and one brand: AIX Rosé. The ethos that underpins the complex production of the wine is simply to make the very best rosé each year. As Kurver points out, »My goal was to produce a thoroughly enjoyable wine, but also one that was complex and exclusive enough to win gold medals and receive excellent reviews around the world.« To achieve this, the domaine has a state-of-the-art winery, dedicated solely to the production of the finest rosé. Keeping oxygen at bay is also key in the fresh, mineral style that the AIX Rosé is known for.
The soft-pink wine echoes the sunny outdoor lifestyle synonymous with Provence. No matter the occasion, AIX pairs perfectly. Kurver notes, »It’s both an everyday luxury and the perfect celebration wine. Conviviality and generosity are key to our lifestyle.« AIX Rosé also has the enviable ability to pair with a vast array of dishes and cuisines. From fresh seafood and Provençal salads to more robust charcuterie and soft cheeses, it’s versatile at the table. Capable of standing up to a touch of chili and Asian spice, AIX Rosé truly exhibits all the hallmarks of modern cooking and entertaining
