Though I know you are stuck inside amid the pandemic, outside spring has sprung, and Rose season is upon us (insert applause as it is a glorious time of year.) Rose wine continues to be the rage, with wineries in every corner of the world launching their versions produced from any red grape variety under the sun, including Malbec, Merlot, Mourvedre, and Marzemino, to name a few.

In Provence, Rose is not just a wine, it embodies the lifestyle of the French Riviera, sipping chilled glasses while sunbathing on mega-yachts along white sand beaches in uber-stylish towns of St. Tropez, Nice and Cannes. It is the pretty, pale pink wine of the beautiful people. Produced from a blend of Rhone varieties including Syrah, Cinsault, Rolle, and Grenache, in vineyards influenced by the Mediterranean Sea, with often just a whisper of color, aromas of lavender and wild herb, and a delicate, delicious palate.

Started in 2015, Domaine de Cala began when chef turned owner, Joachim Splichal, fulfilled his dream to create a world-class winery in Provence. Located the Côteaux Varois appellation of Provence, 35 minutes away from the coast, the 600 acre estate is home to 120 acres of wine grapes, planted in clay and limestone soils, cooled by the famed Mistral winds that blow through the Rhone Valley, keeping the heat of the day in check, ensuring a long growing season. Domaine de Cala Classic Rose ($17.50) opens with layers of wildflower, wild sage, and thyme, followed by red apple, red cherry, tangerine, and ruby grapefruit. With a blend dominated by Grenache and Cinsault, the juicy, refreshing wine balances the fruit-forward style with a touch of spicy ginger and cardamom, finishing with a crushed stone mineral note.