A few weeks ago I inadvertently embarked on what became a surprisingly epic quest.
I was perusing the upcoming Vintages release and noticed an interesting looking rosé. It was called Côte de Roses and was from the French maker Gérard Bertrand. I’ve had reds from this maker before but never a rosé. The bottle for this wine was so elegant I wanted to get my hands on it. After talking to my mom and discovering that she was looking forward to it too, I knew I had to make it happen.
Sleek. Elegant. From Southern France. And a glass stopper? I am in.
Alas, alack! Release day came and went and this bottle was nowhere to be found! Not in Toronto, not in Kingston, where my parents live, not anywhere! Despairingly I learned that this wine was hidden within the great depths of the impenetrable citadel known as the LCBO warehouse.
Sorry, but our princess is in another castle.
And so, I had no choice to but begin stalking this wine via the LCBO website. Near daily searches proved futile. Staff at my local shop didn’t seem to know what I was talking about. Hope was fading, seeping out of me like sand through a broken hourglass.
Just as the last of my faith was slipping away I took yet another trip to my local LCBO. Battle-weary from so many attempts to find this beautiful bottle with pretty the glass stopper, I wistfully shuffled through the aisles, debating whether to even attempt another potentially fruitless search.
And then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a beautifully shimmering display of light pink liquid over by the Vintages section. Was is a mirage? Some cruel deception my eyes and heart had created? No! There it was – an entire table of Côte De Roses!
Cue Hallelujah chorus…
Sweet merciful universe, there it was! Sitting so demurely, like it wasn’t some sort of holy grail. I looked around, surprised that no one else seemed to realize the treasure in front of me. Not wanting to be greedy and tempt the wrath of the lcbo fates, I took two bottles only and quickly made my exit.
She will be mine. Oh yes. She will be mine.
Even the bottom of this bottle is gorgeous!
And let me tell you, this wine was worth the trial. Light and subtle, the nose and flavour dance on your tongue, sharing with you hints here and there of the essence of Southern France. The Gérard Bertrand website says that Côte des Roses celebrates the Mediterranean lifestyle and I couldn’t agree more. If I can impart any wisdom from this experience, it is to buy this wine if you ever see it in the wine store.
10 Comments
I’ll certainly keep an eye out for it, we camper-van around south of France every year so thanks for the great post!! and I LOVE the beautiful bottle !
Sounds lovely, I hope you come across it in your travels! The bottle alone is worth it – so gorgeous!
LOL! Your encounter with LCBO staff having no idea what you were talking about is all too familiar. I have that very same problem when I go into a Sephora. No one has any idea about new releases! ARGH!
But that is one HELL of a wine bottle! Daaaaamn. That base alone is ridiculous.
If I find this… I’m buying it.
Usually they’re pretty good about knowing what’s coming, especially if you talk to the product consultants who work in the Vintages section.
Right?! Seriously gorgeous. And it took me so long to notice that it’s a rose on the bottom, I thought it was just marbled.
Hahahahaha, oh I need to know how you two know each other because literally this was going to be my comment too ‘If you think LCBO staff are bad, go to Sephora!’
That said, I want to drink this wiiiine. I refuse to believe rose season is over.
Rose season will never die for those who love them! I still have two bottle waiting to be drunk. Maybe I’ll get to them if/when I need a break from all the pumpkin beers I’ve been gorging on…
We play soccer together!!
I had the same quest, and alas,weeks ago in Huntsville I ordered a case, and voila, it came 2 days later.
Now I have been busy, and you have reminded me the end to the week and warm weather, will allow me to crack open that lovely demure glass stopper bottle, and savour with joy. Yes, my first taste and view of the bottle I fell in love with was at your mom and Martin’s. 🙂
We all know I love the south of France-so it was a must.
A wonderful read Meg-with thanks,
Anne
Mom told me about enjoying it with you – that’s one of the reasons why I was so excited to try it! I’m glad you love it too, it really is a special wine.
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