Wine Wednesday – A Family Affair
Story by Sarah Murphy Robertson
For five generations, Marc Perrin’s family has enjoyed the finesse and the art of wine making while always taking the business of running their treasured vineyards very seriously. Marc, along with his brothers and cousins, ensure Famille Perrin is always forward thinking while staying close to tradition.
Famille Perrin is the top organic wine grower of the Southern Rhône Valley and they are steadfast in their commitment to organic viticulture. Marc’s grandfather was Jacque Perrin, a well-respected winemaker who was one of the first to employ organic practices in his vineyards. Jacque held a real respect for the role of terroir and he embraced the significance of organic ways of thinking back in the 1960’s.
Marc recognizes his role of creating a legacy for the next generation. He knows the vines he cultivates now and the wine he makes today will fuel and feed his children and the next generations of Perrins. He is reverent with this sentiment and his role as a current patriarch.
In an effort to branch out, in 2013 he began a new partnership with celebrity superstars Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in the creation of a premiere rosé wine. The Pitt-Jolies purchased the Chateau Miraval estate in Provence and sought out the Perrin family to help establish a winner. After their careful collaboration, Wine Spectator and Decanter gave first their first vintage of rosé rave reviews. Wine Spectator listed it as the only rosé of the best 100 wines of 2013. It is an organic blend of Grenache, Carignan, Syrah, and Rolle grapes and is exquisitely well rounded.
Rosés have sometimes gotten a bad reputation as many can be overly sweet. A great rosé, according to Marc, is first and foremost well balanced and on the dryer side. His chef, Laurent DeConinck agrees and creates menus to highlight the delicate peach, berry, and floral notes to Miraval. Chef DeConinick praises this wine’s versatility and comments in France people drink it with foods from breakfast to dinner and all meals in between. He recommends a pairing with an Asian-influenced salmon: marinated lightly with a little fresh ginger, soy sauce, and olive oil. The visual link between the pink of the wine and the fish adds to its allure.
Marc Perrin is also serious about giving back and his philanthropic efforts are impressive. At the 2015 Destin Charity Wine Auction, the highest grossing lot was a trip to Château de Beaucastel, donated by Perrin. It included a stay at the Beaucastel guest house, exclusive wine tours, and a rare VIP tour of Chateau Miraval tasting room. His generosity will impact children in need in the South Walton area for years to come.
As you can imagine, Marc Perrin’s world unequivocally revolves around wine. He enjoys buying cases of a new favorite and sharing those bottles with his wine lover friends. As the years pass by, these wines as well as the friendships age, evolve, and shift. There is certainly a special parallel to this lovely tradition Marc keeps. Famille Perrin is a deep rooted institution who is still continuing to flourish.
