Château Pontet Bagatelle

La Rosée de Bagatelle (dew of Bagatelle) is a hand-crafted rosé from Coteaux d’Aix en Provence, which has been launched in the UK. Incredibly pale pink with very elegant fruit driven flavours, this is a medium bodied wine, perfect to enjoy over the summer months.

The 2007 vintage is the first wine produced by Garry and Sabine Stephen, who acquired Château Pontet Bagatelle in 2006. The Stephens invested immediately and significantly in new state-of-the-art technology for the vinification, and in the vineyards.

Prior to acquiring the property, Garry, an Australian who moved to the UK in 1985, had a successful career as an investment banker and in other industries. The couple made the decision to relocate to Sabine’s native France in 2006 and embarked on a winemaking adventure after being seduced by the beautiful surroundings of former 13th Century chapel, Pontet Bagatelle with its boutique winery attached.

The production of their first vintage was a labour of love. A vendange vert picking in July, followed by hand-picking of the grapes, and then confirmation from their renowned oenologist, Bernadette Tourrel, that the grape juice was amazing. Sleepless nights ensued, checking the temperature of the wine to avoid ruining the precious juice, before bottling in April - deciding to leave it until the latest possible time to ensure optimum time to mature. But all their hard work was rewarded when the wine was awarded a gold medal from Palmares du Concours d'Aix en Provence.

Wine data

Grape variety: 90% Grenache, 10% Syrah
Appellation: AC Coteaux d'Aix en Provence

La Rosée de Bagatelle –
£7.95 (75cl bottle) | £16.45 (150cl Magnum) available at www.fromvineyardsdirect.com and Great Northern Wine

www.chateaupontetbagatelle.fr