Rosé wine, especially from Provence, is what you would call le vin du jour. Not only for ladies’ lunch, but for everyone who can appreciate a good grape. Truth is that one doesn’t have to spend 50,- to drink a fine pink wine, as it’s not a serious one – made in September to be drunk the next summer. Let’s browse through 5 of the best Rosé wines to drink during summer 2016.
Aimé Roquesante Rosé 2015
Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah
from Côtes de Provence, France
US $12 / EU €8
This is a great wine as it stands for everything we search in Rosé: lightness, simplicity and impeccable making. Drink Aimé Roquesante for lunchtime, as apéritif at the poolside or when throwing a party.
Chateau d’Aqueria Rosé 2015
Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah, Clairet, Mourvedre, Bourboulc and Picpoul
from Tavel, France
US $20 / EU €9
This is a slightly fancier blend of crisp cherries and ripe summer peaches. Goes perfect with food. With its luminescent scarlet color and intense, muscular flavor it’s very different from the Provence Rosés a short distance to the South.
Chateau Gassier Rosé 2015, Le Pas du Moine
Cinsault, Grenache, Surah, Rolle, Uni Blanc
from Côtes de Provence, Saint Victoire
US $25 / EU €16
This is a mineral infused delight, even touched with aromatic hints of lavender and herbs. Just what a Provence Rosé should be – light but with enough heft to make it a worthy companion for salmon or swordfish.
Chateau Grande Cassagne Rosé 2015
Grenache, Syrah
from Costières de Nimes
US $14 / EU €5
Packed with white peaches, strawberries and yellow cherries. A fruity, inexpensive, summer delight to enjoy with your friends.
Château La Noblesse Rosé 2015
Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvèdre
from Bandol
US $25 / EU €13
This is about as good as it gets in Provence Rosé….Or at least almost as good as it gets – and certainly as good as it gets for the money. With its intense purity, its ripe, tangy fruit – think melon with a tinge of grapefruit here – and mineral-layered complexity it shows there’s little reason to pay more.
Bandol is renowned for its polished, complex reds from the Mourvèdre grape, bringing an intense purity, a seriousness, one doesn’t find anywhere else.
Wine selection by Nick Passmore
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