What is Luberon rosé?

In the UK, a few things happen when the sun (finally) emerges. Parks and gardens become packed with picnic blankets and baskets. Terraces fling back their roofs and throw open their doors to sunset-seekers. And wine glasses become filled with something pale, pink, and preferably from Provence. That’s right. Rosé season is back – but, this time, there’s a new region flowing into restaurants, bars, and terraces: Luberon. But what is Luberon rosé – and how does it differ from, say, Côtes de Provence?

The Luberon itself is a constellation of cobblestoned villages sprinkled across the hills of a national park about an hour north of Marseille. It’s a place where your most commonly used adjectives will be ‘quaint’ and ‘pretty’ – especially when looking at the honey-hued villages and lavender-lined fields.

But the other most common feature? Vineyards. Unsurprisingly for a region that borders both Provence and the Rhône Valley, people have been making wine here for over 5,000 years, with the region receiving AOC (controlled destination of origin) status in 1988. But despite its physical proximity to Provence, the rosés produced in Luberon are distinctly different, thanks to the region’s limestone-rich earth, layers of sand and red clay, and cooler climate.

‘Luberon rosé benefits from both the warmth of the Provençal sun and the cooler climate of the Luberon mountains,’ says Melanie de Rudder, Sales Director at Mas des Infermières – filmmaker Sir Ridley Scott’s wine estate just outside of Oppède in the Luberon. ‘[This] brings an added freshness and minerality to the rosé and an excellent, zesty acidity.’

Such freshness largely comes from the elevation. Vines here tend to swaddle the northern face of the Luberon massif (350m above sea level), meaning they’re protected from the strong mistral winds that typically sweep over Provence’s vineyards – and experience large daily temperature fluctuations.

The result? An elegant, fruity rosé that has all the pale, berry-noted appeal of a Provence rosé but with a distinct freshness.

It’s a wonder we haven’t seen more of it yet – but, as the wineries in the Luberon are mostly family-run, the majority of bottles have historically been bought and drunk within the lavender-lined lanes they’re produced in… until now.

Recently, high-end restaurants across London have started adding Luberon rosés to their wine lists; the Laslett in Notting Hill has even opened a full-on Luberon terrace in partnership with Mas des Infermières, which it says will ‘bring the charming essence of the Southern French countryside to Notting Hill’ (as well as a chic branded wine cart).

The reason we’re seeing this influx is probably due to Luberon’s incredible versatility: it is very easy to pair with food.

‘The soft red fruits and citrus notes of Mas des Infermières Source rosé lends itself well to vegetable dishes and fish but also stands up well to stronger flavours,’ notes Melanie, before suggesting that it’d also cut through fattier foods, like cheese, but has enough fullness to complement rich, spicier flavours as well.

So, if you’re wondering where you can post up with a glass of Luberon rosé this summer, these three restaurants have it on their wine lists.