Summer is just around the corner and the breezy vineyards and sunny beaches of the Côtes de Provence are calling. The region is renowned for its production of the world’s best pale pink wines, and the fresh, sweet, sun-kissed flavours are simply in a league of their own. If you want to transport yourself to the South of France this summer, it’s all about leisurely lunches washed down with bottles of home-grown Côtes de Provence rosé. From award-winning grapes to celebrity-endorsed estates, here are five of the best Côtes de Provence rosés you should be sipping this summer.

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1. Château d’Esclans Whispering Angel Côtes de Provence Rosé

In 2006, Sacha Lichine, the heir to a prestigious Bordeaux wine dynasty, acquired the Château d’Esclans estate. His vision was to revolutionise rosé and create the world’s greatest rosés by bringing innovative winemaking techniques to Côtes de Provence – and he succeeded. His multi award-winning Château d’Esclans Whispering Angel Côtes de Provence Rosé, is now the benchmark for Provençal rosé.

Made with a blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Rolle (Vermentino), the dry, subtle flavours of strawberry, citrus, and dried herbs and spice create a remarkably smooth finish. The elegant bottle and label and the dusky pink colour, make this a classic Côtes de Provence rosé.

You’ll find the Whispering Angel in bars and restaurants across the Riviera, Europe and the rest of the world and it remains one of the best rosés in the ​​Côtes de Provence region. Or why not enjoy a glass at the source? As Sacha says “In the Esclans Valley angels whisper. If you drink this wine, you might hear them… If you visit us, you might see them.” It’s worth a trip to Provence just for that experience alone.

2. Mirabeau Pure Provence Rosé

With a dream to make one of the very best Provence rosés in the region, London couple Stephen and Jeany Cronk relocated with their three children to Cotignac, a little village in the heart of Provence. That was in 2008 and now 14 years later, Stephen, Jeany and their dedicated team of winemakers have created some of the world’s finest Côtes de Provence rosé.

Their 20-hectare wine estate, Domaine Mirabeau, spreads across a nature reserve near the Golf of St Tropez, hedged by classic Provençal villages. They’ve won countless awards and produce some of the most beloved Provence rosés in 50 countries across Europe, Australia and North America.

While this estate produces several great wines, you can’t miss their flagship Côtes de Provence wine, Mirabeau Pure Provence Rosé. Known as ‘Provence in a glass’, this rosé is all about sun-kissed citrus and bursts of lychee, mandarine and red summer berries. And with a gorgeous pink colour, how can you not dream of warm, breezy days on the Côte d’Azur.

3. Maison Saint Aix, Vin De Provence Rosé

If you’re looking for a Côtes de Provence rosé that truly captures the best of Provence, put AIX Rosé on your list. The beautiful salmon pink colour and the sophisticated flavours exuding peach, red berry, and floral notes immediately transport you to the sandy shores and beach clubs of the South of France.

AIX Rosé was born out of the historic Maison Saint Aix winery, set 420 metres above sea level, high in the northern hills of the Aix-en-Provence region. It’s this strategic position that contributes to AIX Rosé’s elegant profile. The grapevines grow within mineral-rich soils, away from the heat of the coast and with cooling Mistral winds, yet with 300 days of sun every year. These conditions are perfect to grow Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault grapes and it’s this stunning blend that makes up AIX Rosé.

There’s little wonder why AIX is a best-selling, award-winning rosé every year, and with a massive 15-litre bottle on the shelves, there’s no better way to quench your thirst with friends this summer.

4. Château Miraval Côtes de Provence Rosé

The Côtes de Provence is the summer playground of the rich and famous, so it makes sense that you can find a quality Provençal rosé produced by celebrities. But the Château Miraval rosé isn’t famous only because it’s owned by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie; it also has a well-deserved reputation as one of the best Côtes de Provence rosés on the market.

Miraval rosé is produced by the Perrin family, the globally renowned French winemakers of the superb Rhone wines at Chateau de Beaucastel. And when they say it’s a work of art, they’re not exaggerating.

This exquisite rosé is made with a blend of organic grapes and the sweet, acidic notes of rich raspberries make it a great pairing with traditional Côtes de Provence food like bouillabaisse and shellfish.

5. Château Minuty M Côtes de Provence Rosé

Originally built in the mid-19th century under Napoleon III, ​​Gabriel Farnet acquired Château Minuty in 1936 and began replanting the whole estate. The Matton family has now run the state for four generations.

Brothers Jean-Etienne and François Matton took over in the 1990s and Jean-Etienne’s daughter Anne-Victoire Matton came on to the scene in 2022. They’ve continued to renovate the vineyards and now use an outstanding blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Tibouren grapes.

As a family, they’ve turned the estate into a world-class producer of Côtes de Provence rosé. The clear pink Château Minuty M Rosé is summer in a glass with notes of peach, candied orange, grapefruit, red berries, and bitter almonds. It’s rich, zesty, and refreshing and it’s the perfect way to cool down on a balmy summer’s day.

The beautiful bottle also offers a dose of family history as it was originally designed by Jean-Etienne and François Matton’s mother in the 1960s. Enjoy a bottle by the beach with olives, tapenade, shellfish, or salade niçoise, for a dreamy Provençal summer.

 

What is your favourite Côtes de Provence rosé? Let us know in the comments below…

 

After two years of travel turmoil due to the coronavirus pandemic, the world is set to experience a return to the golden age of travel. With restrictions easing and borders opening, 2022 will undoubtedly be the year of the once-in-a-lifetime travel experience. Travellers have been dealing with cancelled or postponed trips for years and are now embracing the old adage: “there’s no time like the present”.  Whether the dream is to cruise the Nile River in Egypt or walk the ancient Machu Picchu in Peru, people are booking the most extraordinary bucket list adventures – and they’re willing to splurge to do it.

The year of the once-in-a-lifetime travel experience

Expedia is calling it the year of the GOAT, or the “Greatest of All Trips”. The company is naming extravagant bucket list holidays as the biggest travel trend of 2022, after its 2022 Travel Trends Report found that 65% of respondents intend to “go big” on their next trip. The report also found the top-searched international destinations for 2022 travel are Rome, London and Paris, along with Bali and Mexico.

Meanwhile, HomeToGo’s travel trends report found that searches for Tuscany in Italy are up 141% and the South of France are up 88%.

Amadeus is also seeing considerable increases in bookings for once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences, with bookings to Peruvian cities near Machu Picchu up by nearly 50%, searches for safaris in Africa up by 36%, and flight bookings to Jordan’s Petra up by 22%.

The American Express 2022 Global Travel Trends Report found that 55% of respondents plan to book a once-in-a-lifetime holiday this year. The report also found that 74% of respondents are booking trips for 2022 even if they have to postpone or cancel later, and 62% intend to travel more in 2022 and take two to four trips this year.

So why are more travellers ready to spend big to ensure 2022 is their year of the once-in-a-lifetime travel experience?

Ready to indulge

Most travellers have not dipped into their travel funds for almost two years, so they’re financially ready to splurge on a memorable once-in-a-lifetime travel experience.

A joint trending in travel report by the World Travel & Tourism Council and Trip.com found that 70% of leisure travellers intend to spend more on travel in 2022 than they have in the past five years. International spending is expected to​ rise by a massive 94% in 2022.

The American Express report found that people are not only willing to travel more, but are ready to spend more to do it. A whopping 86% of respondents plan to spend more or the same on travel in 2022 compared to previous years. Expedia has also found that travellers are more willing than ever before to spend big on travel.

Travellers are already putting their plans in motion, with American Express Travel bookings up 24% compared to 2019. Meanwhile, HomeToGo’s average booking expenditures have also increased by 54%, compared with 2019 figures.

The company also found that previously pent-up travellers are seeking more luxurious destinations and more spacious accommodation in 2022, despite the higher costs.

Importantly, travellers are being more thoughtful about where they spend their money and are seeking out brands that support local communities, such as Luxury Gold. The American Express report found that 81% of respondents want the money they spend while travelling to go back into the local community.

Seizing the moment

After losing two years to the pandemic, people are now feeling a sense of urgency to travel. They’ve been longing to get back out into the world and they don’t want to miss out on visiting the people and places they love, seeing bucket list destinations, and celebrating important life events. To make up for lost time, more people are now booking those remarkable once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences.

So seize the moment now with a bucket list adventure. Whether it’s a safari in South Africa, a trip to see the cherry blossoms in Japan, or a journey around the most opulent cities of old Europe, 2022 is going to be one extraordinary year.

Where will you travel in 2022 for a bucket list adventure or a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience?

Imagine residing in pure luxury in the beautiful expanse of Africa’s nature. Safari by day and dine on a candle-lit terrace at night, listening to the sounds of wild animals in the evening air. Truly at one with nature, a stay at the Lion Sands Game Reserve in South Africa’s famous Kruger National Park, is an unforgettable experience.

On many a bucket list is the thrill and excitement of seeing Africa’s Big Five: the lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and African buffalo. Here you can make those dreams a reality, and at the same time reconnect with life and one another.

The Lion Sands Game Reserve

Situated in the Sabi Sands, which boasts one of the planet’s highest concentrations of animal species, the Lion Sands Lodges offer exquisite treehouse-style rooms, and luxury suites with private decks and plunge pools. Relax in open-air lounges and dine overlooking the Sabie River. With impeccable service, guests reside like royalty with every need taken care of.

Having such majestic animals on your doorstep is one of life’s great privileges. And from the lodges of the Lion Sands Game Reserve, you can look out on Africa uninterrupted. Arise with the sunrise and watch elephants moving about in the fresh morning mist, while you sip delicious coffee and breakfast. Spend your days on safari, seeking out the Big Five with expert trackers, going on bush walks and relaxing in the hotel’s Africology Spa. Then, as the sun dips beyond the savannah, enjoy candle-lit dinners and spectacular feasts of slow-cooked meats, seasonal vegetables and sweet treats. Soak up the magic of the African bushveld illuminated by the sinking sun and fall asleep listening the distant calls of hyenas and lions, under a blanket of stars.

The thrill of going on Safari

Going on safari means stepping into a thrilling world of excitement and anticipation. What will you see and when? Can you track a herd of elephant to their watering hole or discover a pride of lions roaming the savannah? Be sure to have your camera in full working order before you go and brush up on wildlife photography skills, you won’t want to miss this chance to capture the moment.

The Lion Sands Game Reserve, in Kruger National Park, forms part of an ecosystem boasting the largest concentration of wild animal species in the Southern Hemisphere. Hop in your private open-air safari vehicle for exhilarating game drives, hosted by professionally qualified rangers and trackers. Highly skilled, the trackers analyse animal spoor and read the bush like a book.

Sunrise is often the best time to spot predators; huddle down under blankets as you’re driven through the fresh morning mist in search of wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for leopard, as you pass rocky outcrops, and scan the bush for buck and giraffes. Learn about the complexities of termite colonies, see crocodiles and hippopotamus at watering holes and discover many exotic bird species.

Early evening is the ideal time to spot members of the Big Five, including rhinoceros, buffalo and lion. And, as well as safaris, you can hone your tracking skills on bush walks with an expert ranger and experience the thrill of locating animals for yourselves.

Exquisite Dining

Whether under the stars, out in the bush, or on the atmospheric terraced restaurants, every meal at the Lion Sands Game Reserve becomes an experience in itself. Be it appreciating the landscapes or wildlife, dining with amazing views is guaranteed. Expert chefs transform local recipes into contemporary dishes, giving you a taste of Southern Africa, paired with wines from a hand-selected collection of premium Cape labels.

The in-house chefs specialize in a variety of cuisines and are able to offer everything from vegetarian to traditional fare. Popular South African dishes to try are: Bobotie, a delicious mixture of curried meat and fruit with a creamy golden topping; Potjiekos, a traditional Afrikaner stew that is slow cooked and never stirred: Biltong, dried cured meat and Boerewors, a farmer sausage.

Spectacular South Africa

If a luxurious safari sounds perfect for you, then take a look at our Spectacular South Africa luxury guided tour. This stunning 9-Day journey takes you through the spectacular sights and landscapes of South Africa, including a three-day safari. Explore Cape Town and its surrounding areas, visit an acclaimed wine estate and see the UNESCO World Heritage site and former prison of Nelson Mandela on Robben Island. And all the way staying in exquisite hotels and dining on fine local cuisine. There is also the option to extend your journey to visit the majestic Victoria Falls.