Frescobaldi releases Provence-style rosé

Renowned Tuscan producer Frescobaldi has launched a Provençal-style rosé from the Maremma in the UK with consultancy from Sacha Lichine of Château d’Esclans.

Alìe is named after a sea nymph

Named Alìe after a fabled sea nympth, the ballet pump pink rosé is a blend of 90% Syrah and 10% Vermentino grown near the Tuscan coast. A third of the blend is barrel fermented for texture, stability and colour.

Lamberto Frescobaldi with Alìe Rosé and its bespoke glass

Speaking to the drinks business about the wine at Vinitaly, Marchese Lamberto Frescobaldi said: “Southern Tuscany has a similar climate to Provence and we chose Syrah as the main grape in the blend as it adds both fruit and a peppery aroma to the wine.

“The 10% of Vermentino, which is picked later, adds length, texture and mouthfeel.” The wine is very similar in bottle shape to Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s Provence pink Miraval, which can’t hurt sales.

“I wasn’t sure about the bottle in the beginning as the glass makes the wine look a bit darker than it is in reality, but everyone convinced me to go for it and I’m happy with it now,” Frescobaldi admitted.

Alìe was in part created in response to the growing global thirst for rosé, and Frescobaldi is keen to up the production of Alíe in magnum due to the popularity of the larger format.

The rosé also comes with its own bespoke glasses etched with mermaids, seahorses and shells, which are proving popular in the on-trade.

“The quality of rosé has increased dramatically in recent years. It used to be a drained red variety made with commercial yeasts and now it’s made with great care as a standalone wine in its own right at low temperatures and with barrel fermentation,” Frescobaldi said.

“Sacha Lichine is a good friend and has given me a lot of tips on how to make the wine. He’s been instrumental in raising the profile of rosé around the world. Our team went out to Provence to visit him at d’Esclans,” he added.

Alìe 2016 will be available in the UK in May through Hallgarten Druitt & Novum and will cost around £15-18 a bottle.