ROSE WHAT TO DRINK THIS SUMMER
Langlois Cremant de Loire Rose Brut
(£12.99, Oddbins)
This fizz is flying off the shelves – and justifiably so. It’s one of the best in France, being made by Bollinger, with stringent rules determining the quality of its production and grapes. The result is a champagne-standard bubbly, full of raspberry and blackcurrant but also with bite and freshness. It would grace any party.
Marco Real, Rosado Granacha
(£6.95, www.fromvineyardsdirect.com)
Spain might not be the first place you would associate with rose, but this – arguably the best the country makes – is quite clearly a steal at this price. Full of fruit flavours, particularly raspberry, it’s very smooth, rich and well balanced. Perfect by itself as well as with shellfish and spicy food.
Mas de Cadenet, Sainte Victoire, Cotes de Provence
(£7.95, www.fromvineyardsdirect.com)
A Grenache/Sinsault blend with a dash of Syrah, this is on wine lists in some of France’s top restaurants. A pale salmon-coloured wine, it is a serious Provencal rose: dry, delicate and with a complex fruit and floral bouquet. Ideal with the oil and garlic-based food of Provence.
Domaine Ott Rose Couer de Grain, Cotes de Provence
(£27, Jeroboams)
“The rose you want to be seen drinking in St Tropez,” says Esme Johnston. This is the most famous from the south of France and a bit of an icon. A Cab Sauv-dominated wine, the grapes are hand picked from vines grown in chalky soil and pressed carefully. The end result is pure fruit with a liquorice twang.
Rosato Puglia, by Pasqua
(£3.99, Oddbins)
It’s delicately fruity on the nose, then hits harder with strong strawberries. Yet the wine is laid back – more complex than its simple labelling and price would suggest. Fresh and attractively soft and round on the palate, it’s a good example of excellent value from the strong stable of Italian roses that are grown in Puglia.