St. Barth, also known as St. Barts or Saint Barthélemy, is a small French-speaking island in the Caribbean. Famous for its white-sand beaches, luxury resorts, and chic restaurants, it’s a top destination for travelers seeking relaxation and elegance. With its charming French influence, St. Barth offers a perfect blend of Caribbean beauty and European sophistication.
We were invited to experience Sainte Marguerite en Provence rosés and Perrier-Jouët champagnes while feasting at some of the island’s many upscale dining destinations. Follow us on this culinary tour as we visit St. Barth neighborhoods defined by a range of beautiful beaches -from the white sand and turquoise water at Grand Cul-de-Sac to the lively beach bar scene in Saint Jean.
Saline
Until 1972, the salt flats here were a source of income, but now they are home to marine and freshwater birds. At the end of the road, a short path over the dunes leads to Grand Saline Beach, one of the most beautiful and relaxing spots on St. Barths.
L'Esprit
Just minutes from the beach in Saline, L'Esprit by Chef Jean-Claude Dufour offers an unforgettable fine-dining experience in a charming garden setting. With over 25 years of expertise in St. Barth, Dufour serves elegantly plated dishes in a relaxed, alfresco atmosphere, making this spot a must-visit for food lovers.
At our dining table to introduce us to the Maison Sainte Marguerite en Provence wines was the calm and charming Olivier Fayard, one of the two brothers who run their families’ winemaking business.
Produced in south-eastern France, Château Sainte Marguerite en Provence’s wines are crafted from fruity Grenache, aromatic Rolle (Vermentino), and subtle Cinsault, each reflecting the unique character of the estate’s diverse terroirs. The result, we discovered glass by glass, are gourmet, fruity, and mineral wines that deliver pure enjoyment with every sip.
After ordering Yellowfin Tuna Tartare with Yuzu Sorbet and Pâté Croûte de Veau as appetizers for the table, Olivier opened a pale salmon-colored 2023 Symphonie Maison Sainte Marguerite Rosé.
Refreshing light, Symphonie 2023 has notes of peach, rose, and citrus, balanced by a smooth minerality and a long, delicate finish. It’s a vibrant rosé whose fruitiness pairs effortlessly with everything from starters to dessert, making it a perfect choice for any occasion.
For our main course, some chose the Grilled Yellowfin Tuna, which paired nicely with the Les Fantastiques Blanc 2023, is a smooth and balanced white wine from Château Sainte Marguerite, made with 100% Rolle, featuring rich white fruit flavors, subtle barrel-aged notes, and a refreshing, lingering finish.
For my scrumptious main, Pigeon Rôti -Chef Dufour’s specialty roasted squab served with artichoke and feuille brûlée foam, I enjoyed a glass of Sainte Marguerite‘s 2022 Fantastique Rouge.
This smooth and aromatic red wine, made from Syrah and Grenache grapes, has silky tannins, rich notes of Morello cherry, blackcurrant, and a hint of chocolate and spice from French oak aging.
We ended the night popping a bottle of excellent Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Brut, a beautifully balanced champagne with bright acidity, a creamy texture, and a long, fruity finish, which I paired well with my Roulée Marron et Clémentine – a delectable dessert of spongecake rolled with chestnut and tangerine served with tangerine sorbet.
Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque champagnes, known for their iconic floral hand-painted bottles, are only produced in years deemed exceptional by Cellar Master Hervé Deschamps. This makes Belle Époque a truly rare and exquisite cuvée.
IG: @saintemargueriteenprovence
saintemargueriteenprovence.com
IG: @perrierjouet
Saint Jean
Plage de Saint Jean, or St. Jean, is the vibrant heart of St. Barthélemy, and offers two stunning beaches. One perfect for plane-spotting near the airport and the other lined with luxury hotels, beach bars, and restaurants—while nature lovers can explore the nearby salt pond teeming with wildlife.
Nikki Beach St Barth – St Jean
Nikki Beach Saint Barth is a luxurious beachfront escape on the stunning shores of Saint-Jean, just a short walk from the five-star Hotel Eden Rock. Since its opening in 2002, this iconic beach club has been a symbol of celebration and sophistication, attracting guests from around the world. With plush white sunbeds surrounded by powder-soft sands, panoramic ocean views, and a vibrant atmosphere, it offers a perfect blend of barefoot luxury.
Guests can indulge in a menu curated featuring fresh seafood, sushi, grilled lobster, and the famous rotisserie chicken, all paired with world-class wines selected by Global Sommelier Billy Baron. Known for its lively ambiance, Nikki Beach hosts festive events like "Rosé Fridays" and legendary Sunday parties, all set to non-stop music. Surrounded by powder-soft sands, lush tropical landscapes, and breathtaking ocean views, Nikki Beach Saint Barth delivers an unforgettable Caribbean experience.
While we perused the menu, we ordered a famous South of France afternoon apéritif – Ricard Pastis, an anise-flavored spirit that traditionally arrives to the table in a tall, slim glass along with ice cubes and a carafe of water. Adding ice and water to the pastis will turn the drink cloudy and lower the alcohol by volume –making it a sun-friendly and flavorful sip.
We ordered a selection of delectable seafood dishes like hamashi crudo and the crispy tuna sushi roll. However, the standout dishes were the delish Sexy Salad – shrimp on top of a salad of snow crab meat, kanikama , avocado, and mango spicy mayonnaise on a bed of cucumber slices, and the spicy Marbella Shrimp Pil Pil - shrimp sautéed with extra virgin olive oil , garlic, cherry tomatoes, chili flakes, and white wine.
This seafood feast paired well with Sainte Marguerite’s easy-to-drink Symphonie, the perfect drink-all-day Rosé.
Nikki Beach St Barth – St Jean
Romi – Le Tropical Hotel
Le Tropical Hotel St. Barth is an intimate boutique retreat on the hillside of St. Jean, with an Indonesian-inspired restaurant, Romi, nestled in an exotic garden.
Here, for a relaxed, gourmet lunch on the patio under the palm trees, we were introduced to Château Sainte Marguerite’s small batched, Collection Marguerites consisting of a complex 2023 Rosé and, a superpale rosé, 2023 Blanc.
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A signature blend of mainly Grenache grapes, Collection Marguerites Rosé 2023 is a light and elegant wine with fresh fruity flavors of passion fruit, pear, and grapefruit that ends with a crisp mineral finish. This rosé, with its many layers of flavor and aroma, was an ideal pairing for our first course, Duo De Pastèque, watermelon prepared in two ways - gazpacho and tataki.
Our special tasting menu continued with a wahoo tartare and a chicken ‘cigar’ with Korean kimchi, which we thoroughly enjoyed with the Blanc 2023, a gold-colored “white rosé” wine made from Rolle grapes.
The fabulous Collection Marguerites Blanc 2023 has fresh green apple and peach aromas, with flavors of melon, grapefruit, and a hint of ocean breeze, balanced by bright acidity and a subtly peppery, saline finish.
Romi – Le Tropical Hotel - Les Hauts de Saint Jean
tropical-saintbarth.com/restaurant-bar-romi
Grand Cul de Sac
Grand Cul de Sac is a stunning turquoise lagoon perfect for water sports like kite surfing and spotting sea turtles. With a protective reef, it’s a great spot to safely enjoy the water, while nearby restaurants and luxury hotels, like Rosewood Le Guanahani, offer top-tier dining and relaxation.
Beach House - Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth
St. Barth offers Mediterranean and Caribbean flavors served family-style with small plates expertly paired wines and cocktails. Enjoy its three different dining areas, indoor, poolside or on the sand - all with fabulous views of the ocean.
Before our beachside lunch, we headed for Bar Mélangé at the Beach House for Maison Perrier-Jouët’s reveal of the Ode à la Nature collection, an artistic collaboration with the prestigious French embroiderer Atelier Montex.
The collection is comprised of 10 limited-edition, intricately embroidered pieces, each embracing selected vintages of Perrier-Jouët Belle Époque champagne in jeroboam format. A mix of 3D printing and traditional embroidery techniques were used compose a delicate and complex structure of galvanized nickel and 24-carat gold-plating that is adorned with dragonflies, made with colorful crystals and faceted stones, and foliage, created with pink and green glass seed beads.
During the reveal, we enjoyed tastings of the shimmering gold 2006 Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Blanc de Blancs, the fruity 2013 Perrier-Jouët Belle Époque Rosé, and the crisp yet delicate 2014 Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque.
Beach House - Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth - Grand Cul de Sac
rosewoodhotels.com/le-guanahani/beach-house
Anse de Toiny
Anse de Toiny is a top spot for surfers, with consistent waves and an exposed reef break. However, strong currents make it unsafe for swimming. Le Toiny, a nearby hotel, has transformed part of the beach into a vibrant hotspot.
Le Toiny Beach Club - Hôtel Le Toiny
Arrive at Le Toiny Beach Club, a secluded paradise on the bay with sunbeds, hammocks, and a stunning infinity pool, via the hotel’s private shuttle.
Every Thursday night, Le Toiny Beach Club hosts the Beach Extravaganza, a one-of-a-kind dining experience. Guests dine under straw huts on the private beach, savoring Mediterranean cuisine paired with Sainte Marguerite en Provence Rosé and Perrier-Jouët champagne.
As we arrived, a live DJ set the perfect vibe, while mesmerizing fire performances lit up the beach. We enjoyed crispy rock shrimp with spicy mayonnaise sauce, followed by a delicious main course of Red Snapper with Caribbean curry and coconut rice. Between sips and bites, we danced alongside fellow diners, making it a truly unforgettable experience.
Le Toiny Beach Club - Hôtel Le Toiny - Anse de Toiny
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