Domaines Ott* Launches the 2018 Vintage
The launch of the highly anticipated Domaines Ott* 2018 vintage took place on a boat cruise on the Thames on Tuesday the 21st May. The event was hosted by Christophe Renard of Domaines Ott*, who talked customers and press through the complexities of the 2018 vintage and held an informal tasting of the range. This was followed by a BBQ designed to complement the wines, which was prepared on the boat’s sun drenched front deck.
The 2018 vintage was challenging in Provence due to frosts, hail, summer storms and a lack of wind. The viticultural team at Domaines Ott* had to remain vigilant at all times in order to deal with these complications efficiently and to ensure that the growing cycle was able to continue in the right conditions. Although the fruit contained less sugars than the 2017 vintage, the Domaines Ott* team achieved perfectly balanced grapes. The team was extremely proud of the excellent yields across all of the vineyards and vinification gave rise to a fruity, ethereal and perfectly balanced vintage.
The event took place in perfect rosé weather and guests enjoyed samples of the Domaines Ott* By.Ott, Clos Mireille Rosé, Blanc de Blancs and Bandol Rouge poured at the newly designed Domaines Ott* mobile bar. The Domaines Ott* 2018 Rosés have a lovely, velvety texture and flavours of candied lemon, white peach, hawthorn blossom and a pleasant salinity which lingers on the long finish.
Guests took part in a photo competition using Domaines Ott* trilby hats, floral hair wreaths, magnums of Clos Mireille Rosé and other props to help them curate a photo which captured the spirit of the evening. The winner was Anne Lomas, Director of Restaurants at The Savoy, for her light hearted selfie with China Tang’s Wine Buyer and Head Sommelier, Igor Sotric, and Mark Bingley MW, Fine Wine Director at MMD. The subjects of the image are decked out in a selection of photo props and are all enjoying a glass of the Domaines Ott* Blanc de Blancs.
Richard Billett, Managing Director of Maisons Marques et Domaines, said: The arrival of the new vintage from Domaine Ott* is always eagerly awaited, ushering in as it does, hopes of a glorious summer ahead. Aided by the evening sunshine, the guests enjoyed a taste of Provence provided by the red, white and rosé wines from one of the appellation’s truly iconic producers.
Contact Kate Lofthouse to find out more about Domaines Ott.