Rosé today deserves as much respect as red or white wine when it comes to quality. Previously considered a simple summer quaffer, but increasingly over the years, technical improvements and rigorous work both in the vineyard and cellar have pushed rosé to new levels. Domaines Ott is one of the pioneering estates, if not the only one, in France, and the world to have created this category. As Jean-Francois Ott, managing director of Domaines Ott, explains, “People have to realize that rosé is just like red or white wine.” The rigor and detail that go into a great rosé are just as intensive as any fine red or white wine.
Domaines Ott owns three properties throughout the main terroirs of the region. Clos Meirelle, located on the coastline 50 kilometers west of Saint Tropez, produces a rosé and a vermentino-sauvignon blanc white blend. About 80 kilometers inland is Chateau du Selle, which produces a cabernet-syrah blend and a rosé. Finally in Bandol is Chateau du Romassan where the Ott family produces one rosé and one mourvedre based red. Although they also bottle various reds and whites, it is the rosés that really stand out in their collection for their distinct characters and typicity. In this video, Jean-Francois explains what it is that makes a great rosé.
- Jacobo Garcia-Andrade Llamas, senior editor of JamesSuckling.com
*This video was originally published on July 21, 2016.
