WEEKEND WINE PICKS
La Vieille Ferme Cotes du Ventoux Rose 2017, Rhone Valley, France $33.99 | 87/100
UPC: 00631470006355
One of the best value pinks in the market now comes in the three-litre bag-in-the-box format that will keep the party going all night. Expect a medium-pale pink colour from this dry rose along with a vibrant, floral, jammy strawberry and orange fruit nose that spills across flecked with notes of tangerine and red licorice. Fresh, highly affordable and food friendly, it’s a hard to beat patio pink.
Gerard Bertrand Cote Des Roses Rose 2017, Coteaux du Languedoc, France
$19 | 89/100
UPC: 03514120107107
Cote des Roses celebrates the Mediterranean lifestyle, something Gerard Bertrand has done with style for more than two decades. The Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah blend comes off mostly hard limestone and schist with a lesser contribution of gravels from the rivers of the Languedoc region. Strawberry, watermelon and citrus with fresh lively mineral undercurrent supports a similar flavoured palate with a riff of Southern France garrigue. Dry, firm and elegant, a pairing of lobster comes to mind, as does a spicy tuna poke.
Roubine La Vie en Rose 2017, Cotes de Provence, France $22.99 | 90/100
UPC: 3760105790417
Roubine comes wrapped in its barely pink Provencal rose colour, a tradition as old as this historical property that dates to when the Templar Knights roamed the land and owned the chateau around 1307. Today Roubine is under the management of Valerie Rouselle, whose rose style is light and airy allowing the delicate florals and this barely fruited, almost watery rose to make an indelible impression on your palate. The French love to serve it with tomatoes, or fish, or chicken, or alongside a charcuterie plate of cheese and meats, and who are we to disagree?
Famille J-M Cazes L’Ostal Rose 2017, Vin de Pays d’Oc, Languedoc, France
$14.99 I 88/100
UPC: 3760082819903
The mix is 50/50 Syrah and Grenache, the colour is Provence pink, and the nose is a delicate mix of red fruits led by strawberries and raspberries. The palate is fresh and inviting with just enough acidity to accentuate the red fruit flavours and spicy tangerine notes in the finish. Chicken, goat cheese or just a warm patio is all you need to enjoy this well-made pink. Super value.
Chateau La Pregentiere Varois en Provence Rose 2017, Cotes de Provence, France $26.99 | 89/100
UPC: 3760190960184
This classic pale rose is a mix of Grenache and Cinsault that toes the light, elegant, soft, juicy, fresh fruit line. Soft as the lateday sun, it has hints of watermelons and pomelos drenched in pink grapefruits. The finish is perfectly in balance with a lovely fresh, minerality and stony undercurrent. Most any summer salad works here, or even chicken kebabs.