08 Apr 2024
Château Galoupet is nestled amidst 69 hectares of vineyards and 77 hectares of wild protected woodland, overlooking the Golden Isles on the French Riviera. This Cru Classé Côtes de Provence estate has been meticulously regenerated, nurturing both the vines and the biodiversity that thrives here.
Certified organic since May 2023, it’s a place where nature and wine harmonise beautifully.
Nestled in the sun-kissed vineyards of Côtes de Provence, Chateau Galoupet stands as a beacon of sustainability and excellence under the ownership of luxury conglomerate LVMH.
With a commitment to both environmental stewardship and quality winemaking, Chateau Galoupet Rosé offers not only a delightful sensory experience but also a
testament to the importance of sustainable practices in the wine industry. From vine to bottle, sustainability is woven into the fabric of Chateau Galoupet’s ethos. The estate’s vineyards are meticulously tended using organic and biodynamic principles, eschewing synthetic pesticides and fertilisers in favour of natural methods that promote biodiversity and soil health.
This dedication to sustainable farming not only ensures the long-term vitality of the land but also imbues the grapes with a sense of terroir that shines through in the final wine.
But Chateau Galoupet’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond the vineyard to every aspect of the winemaking process, including packaging.
Recognising the environmental impact of traditional glass bottles, the estate has taken proactive steps to minimise its carbon footprint by investing in an award winning lightweight amber glass bottle made from 80% recycled glass.
These eco-friendly bottles not only reduce energy consumption during production but also lower transportation emissions, further reducing the wine’s environmental impact from vineyard to table.
The Terroir
The 40 organically farmed plots play a crucial role in shaping the quality and character of their wines.
Each plot is meticulously selected and cultivated to express the terroir—a blend of soil, climate, and topography—that influences grape growth and flavour. Varying soil types, sun exposure, and microclimates within the vineyard result in distinctive flavour profiles. By carefully managing and nurturing each plot, Chateau Galoupet produces exceptional wines that truly reflect their unique terroir.
Crafting the Wine
To truly understand and appreciate the final blend (and its price tag) it crucial to understand Château Galoupet’s winemaking process – is a labour of love, they harvest, press, and vinify plot by plot.
The final wine is typically crafted from a blend of grape varieties, each contributing its own unique characteristics. While specific proportions may vary from vintage to vintage, the key criteria is taste, not colour.
Grenache is a versatile grape variety providing the backbone to the blend. known for its fruity aromas it adds a subtle spiciness and richness to the wine, along with a soft, rounded texture on the palate.
Cinsault prized for its delicate floral aromas and bright acidity, lends a freshness and vibrancy to the wine. It contributes notes of red berry fruits, as well as a touch of elegance and finesse.
Syrah and Rolle are co-pressed and vinified together, some in stainless steel and others in oak. This brings depth and complexity to the blend with its dark fruit flavours, such as blackberry and plum, and hints of pepper and spice.
It adds structure to the wine, along with silky tannins that provide balance and length on the palate.
Tibouren, ‘an extrovert grape’ used for its ageing potential, is a lesser-known grape variety native to the Provence region. Offering unique herbal and floral aromas, it contributes a subtle minerality to the wine, along with refreshing acidity and a distinctive savoury character.
The final component, Filtrat. The pulp from the pressings across the 40 plots is collected, cooled and left for two weeks before fermentation. It’s very intense and can handle oak well, adding structure intense citrus and grapefruit flavours to the wine.
By carefully blending these grape varieties, the winemakers at Chateau Galoupet achieve a harmonious balance of flavours and textures in their rosé wine.
Château Galoupet Cru Classé Rosé 2023 (Available from May in retailers: Majestic Wine, Clos 19 and Jeroboams)
The first certified organic vintage, comprising of Grenache (52%), Tibouren (16%), Rolle (15%), Syrah (14%), Cinsault Semillon (3%).
Concentrated floral aromas are accompanied by the exotic summer fruits of mango and pineapple.
A silky, complex structure with a saline finish.
Everything in this wine is beautifully balanced.
“This is our first certified organic vintage, a complex and full bodied terroir wine crafted with 100% estate-grown grapes.
“It reveals a beautiful concentration of summer fruit aromas underpinned by the fresh, saline essence of the Mediterranean Sea,” says Mathieu Meyer, estate director.
Château Galoupet Cru Classé Rosé 2021 (Available from Majestic Wine, Clos 19 and Jeroboams)
The first vintage to be released, comprising of Grenache (49%), Syrah (15%), Tibouren (15%), Rolle (12%), Cinsault (7%), Mourvèdre, Cabernet, Semillon (2%).
Full bodied with a smooth, velvety texture and fine notes of dried fruits. Multifaceted and layered with a long, mineral finish.
The extra two years of ageing was pleasantly noticeable and has many more years of ageing potential ahead of it – exceptionally rare for a rosé wine.
And here’s where both vintages blow your mind, these are rosés that we paired with roasted fig and butterleaf salad and maple dressing, Poached salmon, with cucumber, sesame and kohlrabi, finishing with honey pannacotta and honeycomb. And that’s not all, the team from Chateau Galoupet and LVMH had taken it to Hawksmoor the night before and paired it with six different cuts of steak.
Who’d have thought it, Rosé and steak!
It has to be tasted to believe it but having tasted it, I now believe it so please take my word for it.
Whatever you decide to eat, let it accompany you throughout your dining experience, from start to finish.
