France: Cuvée Azur 2024, IGP Méditerranée, Provence

Grape varieties: Grenache, Syrah & Cinsault. 13.5% alcohol. 

A few kilometres from Saint-Tropez, Château Saint-Maur is one of only 18 estates in Provence awarded the prestigious Cru Classé designation, a status granted only to the historic, consistently high-quality estates in Côtes de Provence.

Château Saint-Maur has been a Cru Classé since 1955. The château itself is steeped in history: it was built at the end of the 19th century and inherited its site from a former monastery established on the estate.

Château Saint-Maur is known for producing some of the region’s most refined, terroir-driven wines i.e. they look for their wines to have a sense of place, to express the unique characteristics of their vineyard sites.

Cuvée Azur is Château Saint-Maur's entry-level label for everyday drinking and is the house/by the glass wine at many great restaurants in the region. 

This wine is from vineyards on sandy limestone soils that rise up from the tranquil waters of the Giscle, a small river at the foot of Grimaud, a short distance from the Gulf of Saint-Tropez.

While the vineyards are sun-drenched, the cooling effect of the river and the light winds from the sea preserve freshness and moderate sugar accumulation, and thus alcohol. 

This is an easy to enjoy, supple, fruit-driven, gently spicy red that can be drunk slightly chilled. It has a lovely freshness, fine tannins, and a light, easy-drinking texture. 

Food Pairing

Grilled pork chops, roast beef, seared tuna fillet in a red wine reduction, zucchini with tomato and herbs, wild mushroom risotto. Also a great BBQ red!

The Winemaker's Notes

"A light, easy-drinking red, marked by the freshness of crisp red fruit. Smooth and silky on the palate, this is an ideal wine to enjoy slightly chilled, even in summer, with a fine plate of charcuterie or grilled meat."