Olivier Coste – Rosé ‘Solis Lumen’, Pays d’Oc – 2023

PRODUCER NOTE:
Since his childhood, Olivier Coste’s favourite place to play was in the vineyards and the wine cellar at his family’s wine estate, which was founded in 1701 in Pézenas. With this upbringing, he developed a passion for nature, the Languedoc region and southern French wines. The vineyards are located a few kilometres from Pézenas where the Mediterranean Sea asserts its influence on the vines. The estate is certified HVE Level 3, which complements the family’s existing ‘Carbon Neutral’ approach. They reduce their CO2 emissions, keeping them to a minimum and offset the rest by financing ecological initiatives, including projects in India. They are furthering their commitments to sustainability with solar energy installations. The Solis Lumen range, meaning ‘Light of the Sun’, was created to highlight the importance of the Mediterranean Sea, sun and wind which shape their wines, while the Stars range has been produced for those who appreciate a modern, fresh and fruity wine, complemented by quirky packaging.

VINEYARD:
Solis Lumen is made from a blend of traditional grape varieties from the South of France. The vineyard is certified organic and yields are kept low to concentrate the flavours in the juice. The warm Mediterranean climate is influenced by the cooling effect of the sea, resulting in intensely flavoured fruit balanced by natural freshness. The vineyard is farmed in the traditional way, using mechanical tools rather than chemical herbicides to control weeds; pheromones are used rather than pesticides to reduce pests in the vineyard and grape pomace is employed as fertiliser to nourish the soils. Sustinable cultivation methods preserve the biodiversity and the ecology of the environment in the vineyard. The grapes are harvested in the cool of the night, in order to retain freshness and quality.

WINEMAKING:
The grapes were carefully selected and then destemmed, before undergoing the direct press method to impart the delicate pink hue to the juice. Fermentation took place with selected yeasts at cool temperatures of 15 to 18°C to retain the fruity character. The wine spent several months in stainless steel tanks, before being bottled young to retain the vibrancy.

TASTING NOTE:
A crisp, pale-pink rosé showing subtle aromas of pear, pineapple and citrus through to a refreshing palate of raspberry, rose petal and citrus characters, layered with delicate minerality on the finish.

GRAPE:
Grenache Noir 80%, Cinsault 20%.

COUNTRY:
France

REGION:
Languedoc

SUB-REGION:
Pays d’Oc