According to the French customs agency and the CIVP, Provence rose wine exports to the United States jumped 37% from June 2012 to June 2013, and retail sales figures from Nielsen showed a parallel strong demand for Provence wines in U.S. households. America’s wine consumers have embraced Provence wines all year round because of their festive, elegant, food-friendly nature.
With the arrival of the holiday season, the wines of Provence rose, red, and white offer elegant, affordable pairing options for many flavors of the holiday table. Two prominent sommeliers from restaurants in New York and Los Angeles recently shared a few thoughts on matching Provence wines with holiday foods.
Provence, the oldest winegrowing area in France, is the world’s largest wine region specializing in rose wine. In 2012 Provence AOC wine production was 87% rose, 9% red, and 4% white. Exports of rose from Provence to the United States have grown at double-digit rates each year since 2003, according to Ubifrance, the French agency for export promotion.
The 2013 vintage is expected to yield balanced, beautiful wines. Cool days and nights during the harvest helped preserve the freshness of the grapes on their way to the cellar.
posted by Sarah McCallum
12/18/13
