Extremely Pale Rosé: A Very French Adventure

by Jamie Ivey

Extremely Pale Rosé follows Jamie Ivey's charming journey as he, his wife, Tanya, and their hilariously debauched friend, Peter, travel the south of France in search of the palest of rosés. Far from the plonk he's used to, Jamie finds something fantastic about a cool, pale rosé on a hot day. Due to a translation mishap, Jamie is taunted by a local vintner that there is no paler rosé than hers and embarks on a quest to find one. Setting off on a ramshackle tour of France in search of the elusive bottle that meets the standards set, they visit main rosé producing areas and through eccentric locals discover much the regions have to offer. With wit, candor, and wonderful storytelling, Jamie Ivey maintains a tradition of excellence in food and travel writing. Readers are left with dreams of France, summer days, baguettes, and--extremely pale rosé.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Memoir, Wine, Book Club

304 pages, Paperback

First published May 16, 2006

About the author

Jamie Ivey is the author of three books about the south of France. He lives near the village of Lourmarin in the Luberon with his wife and daughter. Jamie's books have been published in the UK, the USA, Holland and China. Before becoming a writer Jamie was a corporate lawyer in the City of London. He has no regrets about giving up the rat race....

Reviews

[DJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found "Extremely Pale Rose"to be as light and flavoursome as a "Good"Rose should be.Whilst I would not reccomend this book to anyone who seriously wishes to learn about wine,at the same time it`s light tone(pardon the pun)is part of what makes it a joy to read.Or it may just be the fact that that I picked it up to read during a particularly rain gushing part of our Scottish summer!It`s filled to the brim with Gallic charm and eccentric characters e.g"You know,Jammie,wine in France is a small family.If you become friends with the family then anything is possible,but,Jammie,you don`t want to be an enemy of the family".As this quote comes from page 39 you can see that the quioxtic arrives early on and never leaves.I also liked the spelling of"Jammie" because let`s be honest he is in rather a "jammie"situation.This isn`t a book that takes it`s self too seriously,but,at the same time I think that the odd wine afficionado might still possibly enjoy it!What I have come away with is a yearning to re-introduce myself to the pleasures of "Rose"which I feel I have been seriously neglecting-no doubt down to our rather limited summers because as they say in the book there is no pleasure greater than a glass of chilled Rose on a beautiful summers day!!!I now have the strongest urge to jump straight into Peter Mayles"A Year in Provence"This is the perfect book if you can`t wait to be on holiday.Although if anyone can tell me why there is a little scarlett V.W Beetle on the front of my copy when there is no mention of one in the book I would be most grateful.As I actually purchased the Book due to this image as I adore Original Scarlet Beetles

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pleasant book, written about a true story of a man and his wife who took a year off of work to travel through France looking for the palest Rose. Turned on by a bet made almost in jest while discussing wine on a vacation to France, the conversation soon turned serious and were challenged by the wife of a winemaker to find another rose which was paler than hers. True wine aficianados will be disappointed by the characters' lack of knowldege of wine (their appreciation and curious nature is a plus though) since it doesn't really satisfy the intellectual or scienfic side of wine or winemaking at all. However anyone who'd like to spend a quiet afternoon with an easy to read true tale of a couple who packed it all in to drive around France for a year (and who has secretly thought of doing similar things) will enjoy it!

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was like a trip through France, accompanied by good friends, and truly marvelous food and wine! The book is as much a travelogue as a good tale. The writer's challenge of finding the palest rose in France was a side story intially, that became more and more intriquing as the book went on. I found myself wanting to map their journey, so I could repeat it someday myself. I even looked up on the internet their favorite restaurants and hotels, so I could see for myself the wonder they were describing. As for the wines, well, let's just say I find myself craving a good rose! Wonderful book! You can read about their travels at www.extremelypalerose.com.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a delightful read that teased the travelbug in you, especially if you are fond of french wine, especially rose. A couple from the UK quit their jobs and spend a summer trying to find the palest rose in France. They are accompanied by a good friend who is also a french wine/food lover. They had been dining in a cafe in France with Tanya's sister and young daughter Rosie, when there was a misunderstanding regarding her name with a woman at a neighbouring table who happened to be a French winemaker. The result was a visit to their vineyard, a rose tasting, and a challenge for them to find a paler rose in France. Their quest was full of interesting encounters and adventures.

[Diane C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much interesting info about the French wine world, as a British couple and their quirky friend Bill set off, after an encounter with a rose maker and his wife early ion in their, at first, routine trip to France, to find the palest rose of all.

The writing style, however, isn't terribly interesting, can't quite put my finger on it. I would still recommend checking this book out, altho you may skim or not finish it. But there's enough description of French wine makers and villages to kind of make it worth your while, if you are into stories about trips to France or wine.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved that their favorite "pink" champagne is also one of my favorites - Billecart Salmon - not so much pink as a blush of peach. Enjoyable light read. Some contrivances, but not too distracting. About a couple in a coincident career crisis who take a bet with a french wine producer that leads them to a possible new career. Fun for it's exploration of small french towns and wine-making (although could have explained a little bit more about making rose for me).

[Marisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are interested in wine, or France, or in living a luxuriously simple European lifestyle filled with good food, good drink, and fabulous friends, you will find this book highly enjoyable. It inspired me to look outside the box with my wine, but more than that, to look outside the box in life and truly taste the sweetness and bitterness of every moment. It can be a little dull in places, but is overwhelmingly a tremendous travelogue from an author with a lot of potential.

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wanted this one to be a good kick-off to my trip to Paris scheduled at the end of the month. Maybe a younger version of Peter Mayle? Only 2 chapters in and I am not liking Jamie Ivey's writing skills. We shall see...

Just finished and enjoyed the last 3rd of the book, both as a travelogue and for it's quest of the palest rose in France. Sadly, the quest was wrapped up too quickly and neatly, and the author's gradual discovery that life is more than work was never again addressed.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though it did not leave me feeling wiser or emotionally moved, Extremely Pale Rose did reawaken my obsession with France. It's an easy and enjoyable read, a good beach book or one to follow a literary challenge.

[Lise · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not sure why I read this entire book. It's not very well written, it has a terrible premise (searching France for the palest rose has no real purpose), the author doesn't know much about wine (nor does he teach us anything about it).

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story of the search for the palest rose in the south of France. The writing is spotty but it is provides escapist fun.

[Wil · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun travel-wine-France book....nothing really new or really funny.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big on Atmosphere.

[Jeff Wilsted · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite your typical travel story. Perhaps Jamie can search for the darkest barolo in Italy next!

[Deanne Wilsted · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the premise seemed a bit contrived, the humor and sense of place carried me away to France and made me want to start drinking Rose. I am looking forward to reading his next book.

[Stacyj · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an older book that I found in the second hand book shop, but even in this time where rosé is so trendy, it was extremely enjoyable to read. The descriptions of France, it’s wineries, people, and food, were lovely. I really enjoyed reading this while in “shelter in place” during Covid-19 quarantine, in my backyard, at a time where I can’t travel it transported me to France on an epic adventure of wine, food, and relationships. I would recommend, and please be sure to pour a cold glass of rosé with it!

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this on a random scroll through Scribd, and once I started, I was hooked immediately. This is the kind of adventure I would love to embark on! I truly enjoyed traveling with this group and hope to someday make it to see some if these places (and taste some rose) in person. I also enjoyed the commentary of non-french visitors, so I have some idea of what to expect when I do make it to France. Overall this was a lovely fun story and got me out of the country without leaving my home....yet anyway !

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had to skip to the end just to get the denoument. This book relied on the usual British tropes of "why don't the French speak English", and "I don't understand french, how strange because I'm a hyper intelligent British person ". We'll written, I suppose, but after A Year in Provence and similar books over the years, it's just lacking the originality to draw me in.

[Samaa Ayman · Rating 5 out of 5]

My absolute favourite holiday read. Right up there with Sedaris and Didion. Funny, shocking, teasing and at points truly humbles you in the appreciation of all the passion, effort and detail involved in wine production.

[Stephbo · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a slog of a book. I couldn't read more than one or two chapters at a time without getting bored.

[Subbu Loganathan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Utter crap - extremely pale and bland English gammon, more like.

[Harry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally finished reading this trilogy, by reading the first book.

[Les Reynolds · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun wander through France.

[Lynzee Loquet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! It is an amazing depiction of France. The perfect book for the beach or if you are traveling in France. 10/10 recommend🍷

[Angela Gostling]

Delightful

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I followed this adventure through France with Jamie, Tanya and Peter with great interest as an antidote to Covid-19 restrictions on travel and the anticipation that, soon, soon, travel will resume. Searching for the palest rosé while touring, eating and drinking in cafés sounds like heaven. Even Jamie's angst about losing the bet can't take away the joie de vivre.

[Dianne Lipe · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a story about three individuals who search for the very palest rose' around France in order to win a bet. As one who does not drink wine and, therefore, really cannot appreciate the challenge of finding the palest rose around, I found that the book did not hold my interest. I did, however, enjoy reading about the travel experiences.

[Susan White-Riggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story and lots of recommendations for wine, restaurants and place to stay in France.


As much as I love Paris, I have no urge to live there, but I wish someday to spend about a month traveling in France and ending up in Paris for at least a week or two. In the meantime, it's so much fun to read of other people's adventures.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great company, delicious food, fine wine, and plenty of time to enjoy them. Life doesn't get any better than that - especially when you're in France! One quickly wants to stop living vicariously through the characters and start adventuring.

[Ann]

our book group read this and then, of course, had 4 different kinds/colors of wine to try. The book was a lovely, easy August read, but I still wonder at all the time and money the Ivey's had to do this, unless maybe a book advance?