Recently, I had the privilege of experiencing a terrific tasting of Vins du Provence at Bistro 101 at Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts. The afternoon started off with a presentation by Wine Coach, Viktorija Todorovska and François Millo, Directeur General of Vins de Provence(pictured). The co-authors of the book, Provence Food and Wine: The Art of Living, extolled the virtues of the unique wine region of France. Gorgeous photos by François accompanied the discussion about the environmental, geographic and geologic properties that make Provence the perfect location for the production of Rose wine. We learned that Rose wine is the oldest form of wine, having been produced in the region by the ancient Greeks in 600 BC. At the crossroads of the Mediterranean and Italian Alps, the region in the south of France has three distinct areas of production that produce the diversity of Rose wine of Provence.
After the presentation, Viktorija and François lead guests on a tasting of a selection of eight wines from the region which were served along with great food pairings from the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts:
Most of the Rose wines are available at BC Liquor Stores or find them at your neighbourhood Wine Merchants.
Bistro 101 at the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts is located at 101-1505 West 2nd (at the entrance to Granville Island), Bistro 101 is open to the public Monday – Friday for lunch and dinner.