Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence - Château Calissanne 2009

Château Calissanne are offering one winner a case of 6 bottles of their finest rosé wine. The Château Calissanne estate based in Aix-en-Provence occupies over 250 acres and sits within 50 hectares of olive trees. The gentle slopes, comprising 25 parcels of vines, are home to 11 grape varieties used in the production of Calissanne's wines. These include Syrah, Cabernet-sauvignon, Mourvèdre, Grenache and Cinsault for the reds; and Rolle, Clairette and Sémillon for the whites.  

It is the Calissanne's special terroir that makes the difference - the Mediterranean climate that's warm and dry, with annual rainfall of just 550 mm, tempered by the sea air with low yields the aim. Château Calissanne produces mainly rosé, but also good reds and whites.   Legend has it that famous "Calisson d'Aix", a sort of marzipan confectionery, takes its name from a hillside on the Calissanne estate that was once planted with almond trees. Without that sun-kissed slope, the legend goes, the "Calisson" might never have been invented.   

But vines and olive trees are what have built the latter-day reputation of this vast estate dotted with Mediterranean trees which provide natural shelter for wildlif such as partridge and wild boar.   

The estate - run by the Kessler family - is now carrying on the work begun by Philippe Kessler.