I came across this wine at a family gathering. There was nothing about the label to suggest it cames from Provence. The bottle itself doesn’t follow the visual cues you often see with Provençal rosé with no fancy lable or stylised bottle design. It’s modest, understated. The surprise is entirely in what’s inside. Only after the gathering, when curiosity led me to look into it, did I discover its true origin, from the heart of Provence.
Triennes is a respected estate situated in the Var region to the east of Aix-en-Provence. It’s the result of a collaboration that began in 1989 between some of Burgundy’s most renowned names, Jacques Seysses of Domaine Dujac and Aubert de Villaine of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. Despite this prestigious pedigree, the wines are bottled under the IGP Méditerranée classification rather than the stricter AOC designation.
This wasn’t an oversight. The estate never intended to apply for AOC status. Many of the grape varieties they work with, Chardonnay, Viognier and Merlot, are either not permitted or only allowed in minimal quantities under the AOC rules. Choosing IGP status gave them the freedom to work outside those constraints, resulting in wines that combine Burgundian finesse with Provençal warmth.
In July 2025, Jane MacQuitty of The Times newspaper included this rosé in her round-up of The Best Summer Wines (behind paywall). On Vivino, it currently stands at 3.9.
The 2024 vintage comes in at 12.5% alcohol and is primarily made from Cinsaut, with some Grenache, Syrah and Merlot. It’s a dry and crisp rosé, bursting with the scent of fresh strawberries and a subtle thread of vanilla. The middle of the wine is generous in flavour, more berry fruit, suggestions of strawberry again and a touch of citrus brightness. It’s immensely refreshing, but not at the expense of substance. I told my hosts at the time, if you closed your eyes, you might think you were tasting a superb white. That’s rarely the case with rosé, which can often feel a little lean and uninspired. This one, however, breaks the mould. It also proved a perfect match for boldly flavoured dishes, holding its own.
Triennes Rosé demonstrates that IGP classification isn’t necessarily a mark of a lesser wine, but can be a statement of intent, a deliberate move towards creative freedom. You can find it at Berry Bros & Rudd, Fortnum & Mason and a number of independent shops, priced between £15 and £16.
