5 questions to... Christophe Renard

The Ott family has been making wine in Provence since 1912. Originally from Alsace, they started producing white. Today, they are best known for their particularly tasty rosé. At the launch of their new vintage Château de Selle (2024), we speak to Christophe Renard, who has been the face of the family abroad for 30 years. 

1.Isn't it a bit late for a new vintage? 

'Indeed, you would think so, other houses brought this vintage to market much earlier. We have a total of three domains, two within the AOP Côtes Provence and one in the AOP Bandol. With the latter, the AOP stipulates that the wines can only be sold on the third Monday of April. Since we work the same at all three domains, the same applies to this wine. The fact that we are a bit later in the year does not matter. Our rosés last much longer than one year.'

2.What is the difference between the domains? 

'The biggest difference is the terroir that influences the taste of the wines. Clos Mireille is really right by the sea and Château de Selle is a lot more inland in the Côtes Provence. These wines are made from grenache, cinsault and syrah. Château Romassan in Bandol is also by the sea, but has a different soil and is largely made from mourvèdre.'  

3.Does Provence rosé taste the same in 10 years' time as it does today? 

'Yes, those at Domaines Ott do. Since the beginning of the company, there has been a focus on quality and long-term thinking. Of course we change, we have to given the climate. We mainly try to adapt our working methods in the vineyard and vinification. We look at what works here in Provence. Since we only make wine from our own grapes, we keep control over the consistent quality of our wines.'