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Overlooking the coastal town of Cassis from one of the highest points in Calanques National

overalls emerged from a door of a clas- started pouring his finest. In this region wine,” a Provencal specialty made from
sic Provencal two-story farmhouse. His of Provence, white and rose wines are grape juice concentrate by evaporation
hands were covered with black grease. king. The soil, the sea breezes and sun and fermented. The sweet wine is served
He must be one of the farm hands, I are ideal to produce delicious, easy-to- as an aperitif and traditionally accompa-
thought. Michael immediately greeted drink wines. Each one we tasted passed nies Christmas dessert. François was a
him in French. After a few moments, my French test of fine wine - they tasted gracious host and communicated with
the man nodded to the four of us and great, pour me another please. smiles when his limited English failed
smiled. It seems that winemakers in him. After the tasting and stroll around
these parts, even ones with blue blood, The winemaker blends Marsanne, the winery and vineyard, we piled into
work on their own tractors. Clairette and Ugni Blanc for their fruit our SUV for our next adventure.
forward white wines with just enough
François excused himself to clean up and acidity to keep them bright and refresh- We continued up the winding two-lane
emerged dressed in French farmhouse ing. The rosés are blends of Grenache, Route de Crêtes for several miles and
casual blue jeans and tan golf shirt. He Cinsault and Mourvèdre grapes, offer- pulled off into a public parking lot. A
also was wearing a warm welcoming ing the same drinkability with slight dirt path led to dramatic view point
smile as he led us into a rustic room and cherry notes. We also tasted “cooked from inside Calanques National Park

Wine Dine & Travel 2016 65