The academy award for the prettiest bottle of rosé must go to Gerard Bertrand. Looks aside, it is a pleasantly drinkable, affordable, and easily matchable with food.
Why is it the prettiest bottle of rosé?
The bottom of the wine bottle is molded like a rose. Filled with blush pink wine, it looks like a budding rose.
This could be viewed as:
- attractive; or
- a gimmick serious oenophiles would turn their nose up at
This leads to further questions such as:
- Who pays attention to the bottle shape?
- Why is it on the bottom of the bottle where you can't even see the rose design as it stands upright on the store shelf?
This extra (and no doubt costly) detail is the work of Gerard Bertrand, a winemaker who seems to have a heart for the art of wine at times over profit.
The bottom of the bottle reveals a stunning rose molded into the glass.
Who is Gerard Bertrand?
From the south of France, Gerard Bertrand is a former rugby player turned full time winemaker.
According to Forbes, his brand overseas 14 estates in the Languedoc Roussillon region of France and is the second largest importer of wine to the United States.
That must by why he has a sparkling wine (Cremant De Limoux) named after Thomas Jefferson, and his eponymous label can be found on national websites such as Bevmo, Costplus, Total Wine & More, and even Target.
A Biodynamic Winemaker
Despite his success with mass produced wine, he has turned his attention to the biodynamic winemaking practices and 12 of his 14 estates are farmed under those principles.
He notes that turning biodynamic was not a business decision but just him "trying to produce the best wine possible and reinforce diversity in the vineyard."
He also forsees the demand for biodynamic wine growing, especially in the American market within the next five years.
Since he is a serious winemaker that shares my own sentiments for biodynamic wines, I will not feel guilty about purchasing a pretty rose shaped bottle of rosé.
Gerard Bertrand Cote des Roses ($12)
This particular wine is not biodynamic but is one of the wines you can apparently buy at Target.
The majority of online reviews on various websites marvel with genuine surprise that the wine is not sweet like white zinfandel and actually has some acidity that make it drinkable.
Instead of a wooden cork, this bottle comes with a reusable pink glass stopper.
Tasting Notes
Made from grenache, cinsault, and syrah grapes, it smells of watermelon and bright red cherries. It tastes of lime zest, candied orange rind, with a lingering finish of bitter grapefruit.
It may not be the most complex rosé you will find, but it is the prettiest for $12.
Wine for Mother's Day
You could see this rosé making appearances at spa lunches, Mother’s Day brunches, and bridal showers.
Or alongside grand shellfish platters of mussels on the half shell, raw oysters, and peel & eat shrimp with lots of lemon wedges on the warm Mediterranean sand.
The technical sheet recommends pairing this beauty with shellfish or "subtly spiced" dishes.
What is "subtly spiced"?
What does “subtly spiced” mean? What are subtle spices to one person may be a spice bazaar for another. Also, does "spice" mean sentient heat or actual spices?
Subtly Spiced Shrimp Ideas
You could see this rosé paired with a number of subtly spiced shrimp dishes such as:
- Poached shrimp with cocktail sauce - subtly spiced with horseradish
- Sauteed lemon-garlic shrimp - subtly spiced with pepperoncini flakes
- Curried shrimp salad tea sandwiches - subtly spiced with madras curry powder
- Shrimp Louie salad - subtly spiced with a dash of tabasco sauce
- Thai Shrimp salad - subtly spiced with jalapeño heat
Despite the winemaker recommendation, I actually think this rosé could pair well with more heavily spiced dishes or grilled meats off a summer BBQ. It has some heft, body, and surprising acidity with a bitter undertone that could do with more than just shellfish.
Learn more about Gerard Bertrand
To learn more about Gerard Bertrand wines and the foods that pair with them, be sure to check out these posts from the #winophiles:
- Michelle, Rockin Red Blog: Celebrating Biodynamic Viticulture and the Beauty Of the Languedoc With Gérard Bertrand
- Lynn, Savor the Harvest: This Biodynamic Wine Is a Summer Pleaser + Saturday Culinary Concoction
- Wendy, A Day in the Life on a Farm: New Wine Paired with an Old Favorite
- Camilla, Culinary Adventures with Camilla: Lemon-Caper Halibut + Gérard Bertrand 2018 Cigalus Blanc
- Linda, My Full Wine Glass: Languedoc Wine Meets Middle Eastern Lunch
- David, Cooking Chat: Savoring a Special White Wine from Southern France
- Pinny, Chinese Food and Wine Pairings: Exploring Languedoc-Roussillon with Chateau Millegrand Mourral Grand Reserve Minervois + Chinese Charcuterie Board
- Robin, Crushed Grape Chronicles: Exploring the Grand Terroir of Gérard Bertrand with Tautavel and La Clape
- Jeff, FoodWineClick!: Butter Roasted Fish with Gérard Bertrand’s Cigalus Blanc
- Jane, Always Ravenous: Chicken Korma with Gérard Bertrand Cigalus Blanc
- Cindy, Grape Experiences: The Wines of Gerard Bertrand: Expect Joie de Vivre with Every Sip
- Susannah, Avvinare: A Wine from Gerard Bertrand: A Larger than Life Figure
- Cynthia & Pierre, Traveling Wine Profs: Comfort Food and Sunny Red: Gérard Bertrand Côtes des Roses with Senegalese Mafé and Fonio
- Jill, L’Occasion: A Name To Know: Gérard Bertrand
- Gwendolyn, Wine Predator: Bertrand’s Biodynamic Cigalus Paired with French Sausage
- Liz, What’s in that Bottle: Get to Know the Winning Wines from Languedoc Icon Gérard Bertrand
- Nicole, Somm's Table: Cooking to the Wine: Gérard Bertrand Grand Terroir Tautavel Grenache-Syrah-Carignan with Saucy Lamb Loin Chops
- Rupal, Syrah Queen: A Commitment To Languedoc – The Biodynamic Wines Of Gerard Bertrand
- Payal, Keep the Peas: Aude: Alive in More Ways Than Wine
- L.M. Archer: The Hedonistic Taster: Gérard Bertrand 2018 Cigalus Blanc
More Food & Wine Pairings
Ants Climb a Tree with Cru Bourgeois
French Biodynamic Wine Gets Crabby
Auxerrois Wine is a Josmeyer Alsace Dream
Do you love pretty pink wines? Please spread the ♥ and share!
Cynthia and Pierre says
Love all the angles through which you approached this wine. We had the côte des roses red, and were about to recycle the bottle. But your beautiful picture of the stopper gives us the idea of maybe keeping it as a water bottle! (we've been using a Blue Nun bottle under screwcap 🙂
asiantestkitchen@gmail.com says
A water bottle is a wonderful idea and goes along with the winery's biodynamic practice. Thanks so much for the kind comments!
Lynn says
I’ll have to look for this bottle in Bordeaux, I’m intrigued by the rose bottom. It could be used as a sort of water pitcher after consuming the wine. Reuse goes in hand with the reusable cork.
Great that you ask the "what is subtly spicy" question. Enjoyable article Deanna!
asiantestkitchen@gmail.com says
Gosh, I hadn't thought of a water bottle, but that is a spectacular idea!! Thank you for reading and suggesting!
Linda says
Love the subtly spiced shrimp options! This Rosé is pretty - maybe that's why we think of bridal showers and Mother's Day. But I bet Father's Day would work, too, especially if the shrimp is grilled. Yum!
asiantestkitchen@gmail.com says
Oh yes, it would be splendid for a Father's Day BBQ! Thank you for the comments!
Jane says
Your pairing matches the beauty of the bottle. Love all your subtly spiced shrimp ideas to pair with the Cote des Rosé. And so super cool Gérard left a comment on your blog!!!!
asiantestkitchen@gmail.com says
Thank you so much Jane! I'm shocked as well. 🙂
Nicole Ruiz Hudson says
You know what's really funny, I have a bottle of this waiting to be drunk, have had it before, and I've never paid attention to rose on the bottom! LOL. I love the idea of it paired with the shrimp, but as you say, could see it going with many other things as well.
asiantestkitchen@gmail.com says
Oh how funny!! It's very nondescript and you don't notice it when it stands upright. Nice to hear you have a bottle waiting for you already!
Jeff says
I was looking for more Gerard Bertrand wines in our Minneapolis area, and the rosé is the only one I could find. I haven't tried it yet (not much rosé weather in MN yet!), but when I do, I'll be sure to try it with something "subtly spiced!"
asiantestkitchen@gmail.com says
Lol, I hope you do! Interesting that the rose was the only GB wine in your area. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Bertrand says
Great comments and food and wine proposals for côte des roses. .
The best idea will be to come and enjoy the south of Frzncs experience .
Gérard.
asiantestkitchen@gmail.com says
Merci Gérard! I'm in disbelief that the winemaker himself is commenting on my blog??? Thank you so much for engaging with the #winophiles group and for being a leader in the biodynamic movement. I hope to see more wine estates make the effort to convert to sustainable practices that yours have.
Wendy Klik says
I find French Roses pair very well with nearly every food. I haven't had the pleasure of trying this bottle but look forward to it.
asiantestkitchen@gmail.com says
I agree they do pair well with many foods. Thanks so much for reading! 🙂
Liz Barrett says
Love your point of view on that bottle itself, on the Côte des Roses ... think I'll pick up a bottle today! Nice post!
asiantestkitchen@gmail.com says
Cool! You should be able to find a bottle easily. 🙂
Pinny Tam says
Your lightly spicy shrimp with avocado and Boston lettuce is so picture perfect and even a bit dreamy, next to this beautiful Gerard Bertrand Rosé. This pairing is something you see in the brunch menu of NYC restaurants. I bet this bottle sells the wine big time too as who can resist how good it looks!
asiantestkitchen@gmail.com says
Aww thanks Pinny! Brunch in NYC? Sounds so delightful!
Robin Bell Renken says
I have seen this beautiful bottle and have not picked one up. This will now be a beautiful go to rosé for weeknights, and you have given me so many pairing ideas!
asiantestkitchen@gmail.com says
Good to hear! Thanks so much for stopping by! 🙂