Gaïa Rosé 2017

Sam Kim Wine Orbit

Super pale in colour; the sweetly fragrant bouquet shows apricot, rockmelon, apple and grapefruit characters. The palate delivers lovely weight and intensity, backed by smooth mouthfeel and lively acidity, finishing beautifully long and fabulously dry. 

About the wine:

The vines run along the terraces of Tet between the Catalan coast and Perpignan on stony clay and limestone soils. Gaïa, goddess of the earth in Greek mythology, symbolizes this stony soil that’s rough but fertile. The sea breezes create an exceptional microclimate that gives the wine a remarkable balance between aromatic power and finesse of tannins.

Gaïa is a blend of Grenache (80%) and Syrah (20%) grapes with a pale colour with nuances of salmon pink. The nose is dominated by fresh red fruit notes of raspberries and cherries and has a beautiful complexity also evident on the palate. The finish is generous with freshness.

Chateau des Hospices

Marc Benassis and his father, Michel, are the wine producers with Marc being the fifth generation that has run the estate of 50 hectares since 1936.

At the heart of the village of Canet en Roussillon, the winery is housed in a wonderful building dating back to 1863 which is one of the oldest in the village. This building was bought in 1968 by Louis Benassis at the Hospital of Perpignan from where it takes its name "Cave des Hospices".

The Benassis family takes a very sustainable agricultural approach to winegrowing in order to minimise the need for chemical treatments. During the summer the soil is ploughed superficially and from autumn to spring they allow the natural grasses to grow. Since 2017 they have been using pheromones to fight biologically against parasites and avoid resorting to chemical treatments.