Behind the Pour: My Week Curating and Presenting Wines at Camp Joy Retreats
- Anastasia Beer
- Jul 12
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 3
Back in June, I had the pleasure of working as the wine curator for the very first edition of Camp Joy Retreats. Now, you’re probably wondering, and rightfully so, Ana, what exactly is Camp Joy Retreats?
Founded by two sisters, Marea and Monique, Camp Joy Retreats aims to create unique experiences for women who crave joy, connection, and adventure, all set in beautiful villas located in stunning destinations, with delicious food and, of course, great wine. What more could you ask for? Our first stop was Cotignac, voted one of France’s most beautiful villages, not bad, eh?
My mission was to curate the wine list for both apéro hour and dinner. I wanted to set two distinct vibes: for apéro hour, something a bit different with a fun or educational twist; for dinner, wines carefully selected to pair perfectly with the menu, each with its own story or unique touch. I thought it would be fun to share the wines and cocktails I suggested that week, and who knows, maybe I’ll convince you to join the next edition?
Wine Curation for Camp Joy Retreats: A Look at the Week’s Lineup
Sunday : Setting the Tone with Apéro and BBQ Night
Sunday was arrival day for all the lovely ladies, coming from across the Atlantic. They definitely deserved a special welcome drink to help them relax, settle in, and start bonding with their sisters for the week. And what better way to do that than with some fizz?
To make it a bit more unique, I chose to serve a Kir Royal. Now, Kir is typically made with crème de cassis and Crémant de Bourgogne, since that’s where it originates. But living in Languedoc and with the retreat taking place in Provence, I thought it fitting to select an effervescent wine from the south so I went with Blanquette de Limoux. This bubbly has a fun and rather unexpected story behind it, which I invite you to discover in my article about the history of the Languedoc wine scene, if you’re curious!
For our welcome dinner, we were treated to a generous BBQ of grilled chicken and lamb with a variety of sides. With both white and red meats on the table, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to showcase a duo: a red and a white, each bringing something different to the experience.
Le Vin de Copains (2023, IGP Cévennes) by Domaine de Trépaloup A light-bodied red bursting with ripe red and black fruits and just a hint of garrigue, it’s exactly the kind of wine you want to share with friends on a summer evening , hence the name, Vin de Copains (“wine for friends” which I found fitting given the context).
Cuvée Classique (2023, AOP Picpoul de Pinet) by Félines Jourdan A zingy, mouthwatering white with bright citrus notes and that classic sea-breeze salinity Picpoul is known for, especially refreshing after a warm summer day.
Monday : Spritz with a Twist and Pizza Night
Now that everyone was settling in and starting to get to know each other, I wanted to offer something light, easy to sip by the pool, and still very much in the Provençal spirit. Since we were having pizza that evening, a spritz felt like the perfect choice for apéro, but with a twist: a Lavender Spritz.
This Provençal take on the classic was, without a doubt, the most successful apéro drink of the week. It was such a hit that it ended up being requested several times over the following days! The recipe? Simple and refreshing: lavender syrup, sparkling wine, and fizzy water. That’s it, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for summer success!
Dinner on Monday was all about fun and creativity. Each of us got to make our own oven-baked pizzas. And to accompany one of my favourite meals, I kept things simple and crowd-pleasing: a classic Provençal rosé and a juicy, fruit-forward red.
Que du Grenache (2022 – IGP Cévennes) by Villa Dondona
This is one of my go-to reds. Light, juicy, and 100% Grenache, it's bursting with ripe berries and just the right amount of freshness. It was a definite crowd-pleaser : easy to drink, juicy and fun. If you're curious to learn more about this wine and the domaine, feel free to check out my full wine review!
Mimi (2024 – AOP Côtes de Provence) by Les Vins Brébans
A simple, light, and fruity rosé with delicate notes of red fruits and grapefruit. It's exactly what you want from a Provençal rosé : refreshing, versatile, and a natural pairing for homemade pizza on a warm evening.
Tuesday : Deep pinks and Tajine
Tuesday was tajine night, so I thought it was the perfect opportunity to introduce a style of rosé the Camp Joy ladies were unlikely to have tried before, and one that pairs beautifully with Moroccan spices: a rosé de saignée.
For those unfamiliar, a rosé de saignée is made using the “bleeding” method, where the juice is drawn off from grapes that are actually destined for red wine. This gives the rosé more texture, a deeper colour, and a more complex aromatic profile than your typical pale Provençal rosé.
Rosé Tavel (2022 – AOP Tavel) by Vallongues d’Aqueria
As introduced during apéro, this rosé de saignée brought a deeper colour and bolder structure than your typical pink. With its complex notes and slightly grippy texture, it stood up beautifully to the spices in the tajine. A refreshing yet unexpected match.
Les Griottiers (2022 – AOP Languedoc) by Mas de la Séranne
This organic red had real presence: jammy red fruits (cherry and strawberry) and a slightly fuller body that worked well with the richness and sweetness of dried fruits of tajine. The name Griottiers, meaning wild cherry trees, is a nod to those growing near the Grenache vines that dominate the blend. You can almost taste the link between the land and the wine!
La Font Blanche (2024 – AOP Corbières) by Château de Caraguilhes
A beautifully textured white, both mineral and aromatic, with subtle stone fruits (peach, apricot), citrus fruits, and herbal notes. It offered a fresh contrast to the dish and was a favourite for those preferring a lighter pairing.
Wednesday : Oven Baked Fish and Provençal Veggies
On Wednesday, we spent the afternoon exploring a local domaine with a wine tasting and tour, so no apéro was planned that evening. For dinner, we had oven-baked fish “en papillote”, served with roasted Provençal vegetables and rice.
To complement the fish, I selected a rich white and a delicate rosé:
Les Marnes (2022 – AOP Languedoc) by Mas Granier
A generous white wine, full of ripe orchard fruits with a smooth, rounded finish. Elegant and comforting, it paired beautifully with the texture and aromatic herbs of the fish.
Rosé à la Rose (2024 – AOP Côtes de Provence) by Famille Sumeire
A pale, graceful rosé with floral notes and soft red berry aromas. Light and simple.
Thursday : PetNat, Rich Reds and Roasted Lamb
After a week of connection, laughter, adventure, and love, Camp Joy was coming to an end. And to make our final evening memorable, I of course had to bring out one last bottle of bubbles for apéro. This time, I chose a Pétillant Naturel, or Pet-Nat, a style of sparkling wine that’s as joyful and vibrant as the week we’d just shared.
Pet-Nats are having a real moment right now, especially in the south of France. They’re light, fresh, slightly cloudy, and have a gentle fizz that I personally find more delicate and digestible than traditional sparkling wines. Unlike the classic method (used for Champagne or Crémant), which involves two fermentations, Pet-Nats are bottled during the first fermentation, which continues in the bottle and produces those soft, natural bubbles.
For our farewell toast, I went with:
ZaïZaïZaï (2023 – Vin de France) by La Croix Gratiot
A 100% Piquepoul Pet-Nat, this wine was delicate, fresh, and just a little playful. Expect floral notes of lemon blossom, vibrant citrus fruit, and a touch of candied ginger on the finish. A beautifully bright and easy-drinking way to close out a beautiful week.
Now for the final, and in my opinion, highlight, meal of the week: roasted lamb with its jus, served alongside creamy dauphinois potatoes. I was genuinely excited for this dish, and it was such a joy to choose wines that would complement the richness and depth of the meat. Lamb calls for reds : structured, generous, and complex, and thankfully, Languedoc delivers in that department.
L’Amandaie Rouge (2020 – AOP Grès de Montpellier) by Clos de l’Amandaie
A beautifully structured and opulent red, full of dark fruit (blueberries and blackberries), spice, a hint of cacao, and a whisper of garrigue, that signature herbal character of the south.
Cal-Cayre (2023 – AOP Languedoc Montpeyroux) by Mas du Cayre Another deep and expressive red, layered with notes of cherry, black fruits, warming spice, and wild herbs. Generous, elegant, and perfect for a dish as comforting and flavourful as roast lamb.
A la prochaine ...
And so, we come to the end of our wine journey at Camp Joy. It was a pleasure curating and presenting this selection for such a warm, open-hearted group of women. I feel lucky to have been part of this first edition, surely the first of many! I’m already looking forward to the next adventure and to sharing more delicious gems from the south of France.
Cheers,
Ana x
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