Le Bijou de Sophie Valrose IGP Côteaux de Béziers 2021

BIJOU

Le Bijou de Sophie Valrose IGP Côteaux de Béziers
2021

  • HVe3
  • Sustainable
Country
France
Regulated designation
Indication Géographique Protegée (IGP)
Region
Provence
Classification
Not applicable
Varietal(s)
Cinsault 45 %
Grenache 40 %
Caladoc 10 %
Syrah 5 %
Colour
Rose
Producer's website

About this winery

Bijou first began in Cabrières, a tiny and idyllic region in the Languedoc-Roussillon just 30km north from the Mediterranean. This charming little village is dominated by the Pic de Vissou, an extinct volcano that provides our vineyards with very unique soil types. They have since expanded production into Provence and elsewhere. The winery's focus has always been to make truly authentic wines that are delicious, elegant and reflect the local terroir on which the grapes are grown. Thanks to...

See the BIJOU detail page for more information on this brand

Product notes

Le Bijou de Sophie Valrose is named after a lady who worked in the Languedoc vineyards during the late 19th century and became something of a local hero. At the time, it was largely women who worked in the vineyards; pruning and harvesting the vines. Sadly these women were often mistreated, over-worked and under-paid. Sophie fought for women’s rights and drastically improved working conditions for her fellow women in the vineyard in which she worked. Bijou is a tribute to her memory and we share her story on the back of every bottle sold. Our rosé is made from grapes sourced from handpicked bush vines, alike those that Sophie would have harvested herself many years ago.

Production notes

The grapes are sourced from low-yielding old vines on the sloping hillsides of various vineyards in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France. The areas are made up of old volcanic soils composed of 70% schist, which helps create high-quality grapes with great structure and freshness. The grapes are hand-harvested, de-stemmed and gently crushed. Indigenous yeasts are used to ferment the wine for 15 to 18 days in temperature controlled stainless vats. Fermentation takes place at low temperatures of 14-16 ° to preserve the delicate fruit flavours. Each grape variety is harvested and vinified separately and then finally blended together to create a perfectly balanced wine.

Tasting notes

A beautiful pale salmon colored rosé. Elegantly fragrant, with aromas of wild strawberries, citrus and delicate floral notes. Round and creamy on the palate, with ripe red berry flavors and a soft minerality. Nicely balanced with refreshing acidity and a silky smooth finish.

Press reviews

Tim Atkin MW

- 91 points -

August 2022 (Vintage 2021)

Fed up with paying high season Côte d’Azur prices to drink your favourite Côtes de Provence rosé? Then try this from the Languedoc instead. At the £3 off price until the end of the month, it’s one of the best pink bargains in the high street. Marrying Grenache with 40% Cinsault and 10% of a much rarer grape called Caladoc, this tastes as good as it looks, with raspberry, redcurrant and wild strawberry fruit, a hint of Medieterranean herbs and impressive depth and concentration. Perfect for the last two weeks of summer.

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International Wine Challenge

- 91 points -

Great Value Rosé Winner

2022 (Vintage 2021)

Delicate rose gold in colour, white flowers with red fruits and lemon zest, smoothly textured with a sweet finish.

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Meininger online

- 90 points -

April 2022 (Vintage 2021)

Light colored with an expressive nose, fine herbal spices and cool fruit; good extract and fine sustained length with good balance.

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