Rose D'Anjou - what's a good one?

[ColinM50]

Having lived in France for six years in the late noughties we've become quite fond of Rose D'Anjou and last year on holiday in France we found a particularly good one that suited our palate. Got it in Auchan supermarket and the producer was Heritiers Dubois in Ste Romaine. Was n't very expensive and we bought a couple of cases.

Over Xmas family polished off the remaining case, they all liked it too, so I need to get some more. Short of taking a day trip to Calais, anyone know where I might get some or recommend a good rose?

Yes I know it's not premier cru wine, but we like it

[rdjohn]

I live in Saumur a quick search suggests it’s local to me, but I have not heard of the Domaine name and it would need to be big to supply Auchan.

Perhaps it is a brand from the local cooperative, Robert and Marcel, who supply Waitrose and Tesco using obscure names.

https://www.vivino.com/wineries/les-heritiers-dubo...

If you like a nice rosé, there are plenty of decent Cotes de Provence being sold at a fair price in the UK.

[ColinM50]

Thanks rdjohn, we actually bought it in Saumur. Stayed in our motorhome in the campsite there. Very pleasant town and nice people. We bought about ten cases of Vouvray and the Rose D'Anjou. Still got a couple of the Vouvray but urgently need to replace the rose.

Found it on vivono website but there's no way I can see to order or buy it.

[rdjohn]

It’s also worth remembering that 2017 was a very different year from 2016 and so, if it is an AOC wine, it is unlikely to have exactly the same taste anyway.

Most vignerons tend to produce a sweet rosé in the image of Anjou rosé, which all the locals drink after a hard day in the vineyards. These tend to have added sugar which is permitted within the appellation. We prefer a much drier taste, but they all tend to have one of those as well.

One producer we know makes a blush colour by just by leaving the grapes overnight in the trailer, before pressing. Our preferred producer makes a much pinker wine by removing the skins after about 18-hours of fermentation. This is a lot of work in the middle of the grape harvest, but it does make for a tastier wine.

Rather than search too hard, I think you would find it easier to find another rosé that you like. Because they use a blend of grapes, the rosés from Provence can be much more complex in taste.

[HarryFlatters]

When my cousin stayed in Angers we used to drink this by the case...

https://www.gaecjollyfreres.com/Wines

Some Cotes du Rhone roses are similar, if a little dryer. Anything from Aix en Provence will be terrific on a sunny day with a grilled tuna steak and a salad

When we go to Avignon, we tend to get the 10 litre boxes of Rose from the local co-op https://www.demazet.com/en/

(Can you tell that I'm excited about my summer holidays? )

[ColinM50]

Thanks all for the tips, but tate is such an individual thing, what you like I don;t etc and this cheapo rose just seems right to u.

Rdjohn, how do you feel about posting me a couple of cases? Always assuming you can find it in Saumur, we bought it from a cave in Rue de Gros Caillou I think

[rdjohn]

I have searched for the producer and I cannot find a cave on Rue de Gros Caillou. As regards taste, it is unlikely that 2017 wine will taste the same as 2016. The new vintage will come on sale during April.

I am in Spain until the end of March but I will make further enquiries for you when I return. The producer will get better postage rates than I can, it’s usually about €1 per bottle, I think.

Edit - There is not an Auchan in Saumur and I cannot find a cave in Rue de Gros Caillou - it’s out in the sticks. I do not think that I will be able to help you

Edited by rdjohn on Thursday 18th January 19:49