This is the second bottle of wine for the month of June from my local wine club Fine Wine Source of Livonia, Michigan.   The official name of this wine is Les Maîtres Vignerons de la Vidaubanaise, Le Provencal Rosé, Cotes de Provence 2018.  Les Maîtres Vignerons de la Vidaubanaise translates in English to The Master Winemakers of the Vidaubanaise.  This a wine cooperative that was formed in 1922 and today is now in control of six-hundred hectares in the heart of the Appellation Cotes de Provence.  The vineyards are located on the limestone foothills of the Maures massif, between the Mediterranean Sea and the Alps.  This cooperative historically wins annual awards and rave reviews from the French Wine Trade and the Press.  Le Provencal is from the highest quality cuvees produced by the Maîtres Vignerons. 

The Cotes de Provence is the largest appellation in Provence and it has a few sub-regions as well.  The entire region is famed for their Rosé wines, as well as a Red wine made from the Tibouren.  The Rosé Wines are made from a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Carignan, Syrah and Mourvedre.  The Cotes de Provence originally was first established as a VDQS in 1951 and in 1977 it attained AOC status. 

The grapes for Les Maîtres Vignerons de la Vidaubanaise are grown on sandy soils on ancient limestone terraces and the vines now average from ten to thirty years of age.  After the harvest, a portion of the grapes undergo a cold maceration at various temperatures and lengths of time according to the grape variety, which produce an array of aromas.  The remaining grapes are processed in the traditional method of direct pressing.  Then all the wines are blended and aged in Stainless Steel until early February, and then bottled for maximum freshness.  Aromas of red fruits like currants, strawberries and melon are perceived.   A delicate wine with crisp acidity and promising a long finish.  The perfect wine for a hot summer day with lighter foods and seafood.  I will have to try it soon; in case I need to get some more for the season.