The Provence pink powerhouse is teaming with one of the top grower Champagne producers. Plus, behind the scenes of the new Piper-Heidsieck Prohibition-themed Oscars bottle
When Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie separated nearly four years ago, rosé observers wondered what would become of their Côtes de Provence estate, Château Miraval. At very least, it would likely be stuck in custody limbo while terms of the divorce dragged on, wrote the skeptics.
Instead, things have been busier than ever, with the co-owning Perrin family of the Rhône’s Château de Beaucastel propping up Miraval through the difficult split of its other parents. Last year, we reported that Miraval had unveiled a shiny new top-of-the-line cellar and released a new (record-breaking) prestige rosé cuvée, Muse de Miraval, from the vineyard’s best and oldest parcels. Now, winemaker Marc Perrin tells us a Miraval Champagne is next.
“We are working very hard on that right now with Rodolphe Péters, from Pierre Péters,” Perrin told us. One of Champagne’s hottest grower-producers, Péters has made a splash with his unusual rosé-making technique, blending a saignée of Pinot Meunier with Chardonnay—though no word yet on the style of the Miraval Champagne. “We will create the only Champagne house which only makes rosé,” said Perrin. “We are going to try to push the quality of rosé as far as possible in Champagne.” We’re feeling confident Miraval’s new marriage of talents can make it work.
Category: Miraval
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie ‘Reaffirm’ Their ‘Shared Commitment’ to French Estate with New Wine
The latest news from Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie‘s French vineyard definitely sounds promising.
Despite their split, Pitt and Jolie remain committed to their winemaking and are even expanding their production line, with a new bottling commemorating their estate’s significant contribution to pop music.
Beginning March 5, you’ll be able to sample a second rosé from the former couple’s Miraval estate. The new release will be called Studio by Miraval, a nod to the property’s formidable heritage as a recording site, and is a nearly clear blend of estate-grown Grenache, Rolle, Cinsault and Tibouren grapes.
The launch of the new wine “reaffirms the couple’s attachment to Miraval,” a source tells PEOPLE, adding Pitt was deeply involved in its creation and participated during last September’s harvest. “A new wine shows their shared, continuing commitment to the estate. And the name ‘Studio’ is their way of recognizing the property’s musical roots.”
Pitt and Jolie found the property in 2008 (they finalized purchase in 2012) and while their 2016 separation fueled speculation they would put their 1200-acre French estate up for sale, sources have consistently told PEOPLE they remain committed to the property, viewing it “an investment for their children.”
In the six years since the couple launched their first award-winning Miraval rosé, they have introduced several other excellent vintages and last March, a small bottling of olive oil. As part of their investment in renewing the property, they have considerably upgraded the estate, improved storage and completed an on-site bottling facility.
Miraval possesses a grape-growing history stretching back to Roman times when it was a foothold on the Via Aurelia. Brad and Angelina’s presence has been largely responsible for focusing worldwide interest to the Var region’s wines, arguably attracting new neighbor George Lucas.
With Studio, they are throwing a spotlight on the estate’s musical history.
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie Are Still Producing Wine Together
Confirming their commitment to their Miraval chateau in France, the former couple—who launched a signature estate wine line in 2013—will release their latest bottling this week.
The fifth-annual release of their award-winning pink rosé will appear without change to their familiar “bottled by Jolie-Pitt and Perrin” label. First shipments will arrive in the United States immediately.
Winemaker Marc Perrin, 47, who partnered with the now-separated couple when the venture began, tells PEOPLE exclusively that the release designated Miraval 2017 is “very certainly our best vintage since we began in 2012. With magnificent aromas of fragrant white blossom and fruit, the wine retains that touch of distinctive minerality drawn from the limestone soils, that is the hallmark of the greatest French terroirs.” “But what makes this 2017 vintage really stand out is its silky texture which adds a very special dimension to the wine,” the fifth-generation winemaker adds.
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie Are Now Selling Olive Oil: ‘It’s an Investment for Their Family’
With hundreds of historic acres and well-received wines, it was only a matter of time before Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie‘s French estate, Chateau Miraval—which they’ve kept despite their impending divorce—derived another agricultural product line.
Well, now the wait is over. Developed in partnership with the Perrin Family, the estate‘s own gourmet olive oil has been quietly available in France since early this month—but only in two small family-run boutiques (in Aix-en-Provence and Chateauneuf du Pape) and one website.
Though produced “in a very small amount” and currently limited to European delivery, a spokesman for the partnership tells PEOPLE plans call for it to be “available in the U.S. in a very few weeks.” It may still difficult to find, though: The first release was limited to just 10,000 bottles.
The extra-virgin oil is a high-quality and cold-pressed, a blend of seven organically grown variety types (Verdale, Pichouline, Tanche, Lucques, Aglandau, Cayon, Arboussane). While Miraval stretches over 1,100 acres, only 26 acres are employed in terraced olive grove production, according to vintner Charles Perrin. The finished product is described a “velvety oil with notes of almonds and hazelnut, pungent and spicy with a scent of fresh cut grass.”
Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie’s Miraval Opens the 2015 Rosé Season
A full two weeks ahead of last year, due to an exceptional year with its ideal winemaking conditions, Miraval opens the season for Provence Rosé 2015. With its delicate pale pink color and soft gleams, Miraval Rosé 2015 offers exceptional fruit with immense freshness and minerality.
Marc Perrin (Famille Perrin): “Miraval Rosé 2015 is a nectar of the gods. It is nature at its best, grapes in perfect harmony in the vineyard, and sun of course, because we are in Provence. This vintage all the wines are of stunning quality: white or rosé. It is without any doubt the best vintage yet at Miraval.”
In 2015 the soils of Provence filled up their groundwater reserves right through winter and spring. The timing of flowering was just perfect, during a hot dry period in May and up to mid-June when a wet spell replenished the reserves. These well timed rains and the earth’s natural reserves prevented any hydric stress in the vines and allowed maturities to progress regularly and rapidly, with no scorch in spite of the heat. This balance has ensured an extraordinary aromatic palette for Miraval Rosé which is beautifully fresh and mineral, with subtle notes of citrus, red fruit and white blossom. In the mouth, the expression of the terroir is revealed with balance and elegance, underlined by a superb tension which confers great length. Aromatic persistence characterizes the palate, finishing in a register which is fruity and saline.
Great news for the 2015 vintage: Half bottles of Miraval are now available!