The Future is, Pink!

It's pale pink in colour and highly popular. The phenomenon that is rosé wine emanated from Provence in the south of France centuries ago. Today, the global demand for pink wine, which has been compared to the marriage of elegant white wine and fruity red wine, is at an all-time high.

Rosé, as the French say, Rosato in Italy or rosado as it's called in Spain, refers to a category of wine that incorporates some of the colours from the grape skins. Chateau d'Esclans, an estate in Provence, has become famous as the home of Whispering Angel, the world's best-selling rosé and other world-class brands. Sacha Lichine acquired the estate in 2006 to fulfil his vision of creating the most outstanding rosé wines in the world.

If you're familiar with Provence, the mere mention of its name will conjure up enchanting images of rolling hills, fields carpeted with lavender, olive trees, quaint villages, and sandy beaches. In times past, its natural splendour attracted and inspired famous residents such as Cezanne, Van Gogh and Picasso. Delicious specialities abound in the region: olive oil, cheese, honey and of course, wine. In Provence, the undisputed home of rosé wine, nearly 90% of the vineyards are dedicated to the four main types of rosé grapes. These are Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Syrah, Grenache.

Provence, where the pink craze started, remains the leading French region for rosé production. The region is known for creating the most consistent rosés, often distinguished by their lighter colour. Essential to its terroir is the limestone and crystalline, which make up its topography and its "special winds"! The Mistral carries cool air as it flows over the Alps, but importantly, it's a dry wind, low in humidity, which is preferred by grapevines.

Provence has four designations that each yield distinct rosés:

Coteaux d'Aix en Provence allows Cabernet Sauvignon to be added to the blend. It's a good food wine.

Coteaux Varois en Provence, is rounded, balanced and often perfumed. It's an excellent choice if you want an age-worthy rosé that will last well into the winter.

Côtes de Provence produces the crisp classic, all fruit with a touch of pepper.

Bandol, the tiny enclave, is the most complex, thanks to its use of Mourvèdre. There is a rosé for every taste; it can be sweet or dry, although more often dry. Its wines are refreshing, revealing aromas of red fruit, citrus, green melons, flowers, and herbs. Provencal rosé is usually distinguished by its lighter colour, which is by no means an indicator that it lacks complexity. It pairs well with everything as it's in the middle of the flavour profile. The delightfully fruity wine can also claim some of the health benefits of red wine due to its potent antioxidants.

"In moderation, rosé can be a great drink for your health," said Dr Johanna Contreras, a cardiologist at Mount Sinai Hospital, quoted in the New York Post. "I recommend a glass a day for women and two glasses a day for men. It's better than white wine because it has more antioxidants like resveratrol."

Winemakers create a rosé wine by juicing red grapes and then allowing the juice to soak with the skins for two to three days. In this process, known as maceration, the colour from the skin bleeds into the juice. As soon as the juice begins to take on the beautiful pink colour the winemaker desires, they remove the skins. The juice is allowed to ferment, creating a delicious rose. Any red grape can be used to make rose. However, specific varietals lend themselves more readily to this category, like Grenache, Mourvèdre and Pinot Noir.

Sacha Lichine is the undeniable King of Rosé. He is the creator of Whispering Angel, the world's best-selling rosé wine and other world-class brands such as Chateau d'Esclans Rock Angle, Les Clans and Garrus. Sacha Lichine acquired Chateau d'Esclans in 2006 to fulfil his passion to produce premium rosé.

Interestingly, Sacha Lichine grew up in Manhattan. His father, the late Alexis Lichine, a Russian, was once the leading importer of French wine to the US, authored a book on French wine and owned a Bordeaux winery. Sacha spent his summers there learning the intricacies of the wine trade. He worked in all aspects of the wine business, from grape picking to international distribution. He took control of the family estate in 1987 but sold it in 1999.

Sacha was an innovator, and he felt that rosé had an opportunity to be consumed more broadly. This belief led to his purchasing Chateau d'Esclans in the heart of Provence, overlooking the Esclans valley. The Chateau is known for its old Grenache vines, some as old as 90 years, which produce grapes with a more robust flavour than younger vines. His best-seller, Whispering Angel, is made from Grenache and Cinsault grapes.

His foresight and his wines have contributed to unprecedented growth within the rosé category. He has been lauded for 'redefining rosé' and starting a rosé renaissance. His rosé wines are sold in over 700 countries and rank highly with wine critics.

If you're ever looking for a good rosé and don't recognise a brand, a safe bet is asking for a bottle from the oldest winemaking region in France: Provence.