Gerard Bertrand Cote des Roses, Rose, Languedoc, France 2023

Bart here. It was a warm June afternoon, and this chilled, beautiful bottle of Gérard Bertrand’s Cote des Roses Rose reached out to me.

The first thing to catch your eye is the shape of this unique bottle. If held upside down, it resembles a bouquet of roses.

The soft pink color helps complete the picture.  It is produced in the Languedoc in southern France along the Mediterranean.  If youstart to picture yourself in this region, it starts to set the appropriate ambiance for this experience!  It is a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah.  Served chilled, this delight offers notes of red flowers, maybe even roses, with fresh red fruits, ripe strawberry, raspberries, and even a hint of grapefruit. Despite the ripe notes, it still retains a fresh, bright acidity, giving it a liveliness that brings a big smile. Not for anything specific, but for the fact you are in a good place. This makes for a delightful afternoon accompaniment on the deck or patio at the country club! Do not miss this experience, especially as the weather warms up here in Kansas.

This sells for $16 at Jacob Liquor.