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april 2018 / the tasting panel / 67 rosé and sparkling wines has never been higher," he says. "Both rosé and sparkling wines are now seen as apéritifs suitable year-round—not just seasonally." Rosé has indeed reached new heights of popularity in recent years, with sales jumping 53 percent in the U.S. in the year from mid-2016 to mid-2017, according to Nielsen data. Sparkling rosé sales are also skyrocketing, growing 19 percent in 2017 as the broader sparkling wine category grew by just 6 percent. Even before Rivarose's stateside debut, wine consumers living in the warmer climes of the U.S. could already attest that the marriage of rosé and sparkling wine from the south of France is a fortuitous coupling. "Rivarose is the perfect embodi- ment of the Mediterranean art de vivre," says Lepont. "It perfectly captures the sun, air, and feeling of life in the region, inviting wine lovers to step away from the day-to-day and enjoy a virtual vacation and a bit of conviviality." "e Bubbles of France" Known for its bowling pin–shaped bottle patented by Provence winemakers in the 1920s, Rivarose underwent a subtle packaging update that coincided with its U.S. release. But while the wine may be traversing to new territory, its aesthetic still speaks decidedly to its home region. "We wanted to show off the evocative wine color, so the label and capsule are simple and elegant as to not distract from the wine's jewel-toned hue," explains Lepont. "It was very important to us that this be seen as a Mediterranean-style wine and not a crémant alternative, so the light-blue and gilded front label communicates the atmosphere of our beautiful terrain in the south of France. With our center medallion label, our goal was to clearly indicate the wine's source and origin, and the label is framed by the region's famous laurels." Rivarose's simple yet striking bottle is matched by its equally-sophisticated contents. The wine features a blend of Syrah grapes sourced from what Lepont calls the "exceptional terroir" of the southern Rhône Valley. Harvested at night to retain maximum freshness and brightness, the grapes are then vinified in Rivarose's Salon- de-Provence cellars before aging for six months "to create an effervescent Brut Rosé—or as we refer to it, the 'Bulles de France,' meaning 'the bubbles of France,'" Lepont adds. While others may follow in its footsteps as this now-ubiquitous category makes way for more members, there's no doubt that Rivarose is—and will continue to be—the Mediterranean sparkling rosé. Rivarose Sparkling Brut Rosé: At a Glance Designation: IGP Méditerranée Sparkling (created in 2015) Varieties: Syrah grown in top terroirs of the Mediterranean Tasting Notes: Aromas of peach blossoms and raspberry-kissed rose pet- als followed by delicately- appointed flavors of pink grapefruit, wet stone, and Rainier cherry. On the palate, the bubbles are elegant and diminish gracefully on the tongue. Serving Suggestion: A perfect apéritif that pairs wonderfully with cured meats, crudités, Provençal dishes, or an afternoon with friends Suggested Retail Price: $18 Rivarose "perfectly captures the sun, air, and feeling of life" in the south of France, says Julien Lepont, Marketing Director for Rivarose's parent company Veuve Ambal.