RAISE A GLASS

WHEN the summer heat finally hit us, I turned to a glass (or two) of rosé wine, popped on my sun hat and dreamed I was in the south of France.

It’s been a week of pinks for me, beginning with a taste of Off The

Line Hip Rosé 2018 (RRP £15.99, waitrose.com).

I poured and sipped, without thinking too hard, and with my first glance at this wine’s watery blush I assumed it was a pink from Provence in the south of France.

The wine has delicious creamy notes of stone fruit, with subtle flowers and red fruits.

I was impressed. Then I read the label. Hip Rosé is an English creation.

Winemaker Kristina Studzinski graduated from Plumpton College in wine production and then she and her assistant winemaker and civil partner, Ann-Marie Tynan honed their skills in Bordeaux and Rhône vineyards.

They gave up successful jobs to pursue their passion for wine and now have their vineyard and winery in Hellingly, East Sussex.

Hip Rosé is made from pinot noir grapes and the wine has lees stirring after fermentation. This delivers

the creamy texture. Very tasty.

As for the rest of my “pink” week? Well, if you discount my nose in the very warm sunshine…

Also on my enjoyment list was a pink fizz LaChateau Crémant de

Loire Brut Rosé (£15.69, Ocado). I poured this and a handful of other rosé wines to a group of girlies, who were excited and expectant in the rays of the sun.

Crémant wines hail from France and are made in the same traditional way as Champagne. Cabernet franc grapes grown in the Anjou and Touraine regions of the Loire, have created this sparkling wine.

It delivers lovely flavours of red fruits which remain juicily in the mouth from the

first sip. It received a thumbs-up.

The same set of girlies weren’t too sure about Graham Norton’s Own Pink By Design Rosé (£9.50,

Tesco, Asda).

The chat show star has been working with New Zealand producers Invivo Wines for about eight years. There are now four wines in the GN stable, with Norton playing a proactive role in the blending. This pink has a kapow of grapefruit on the nose, with a vibrant citrus zing on the palate. The wine has won praise (and awards) but the jury was out with my girlies. I think I was in the minority, as I found the aromas moreish and really enjoyed my sipping. ALSO IN MY GLASS… PROSECCO. IF YOU sip a glass of Corte Molino

(£7.50 – was £8.50 – at the Co-op until August 14) you might have more than just fizz to celebrate. Borgo Molino, the makers of this pretty prosecco, has hidden one golden cork, and a series of silver and bronze corks in the bottles. The finder of the golden cork will win a luxury trip for two to Venice.

Corte Molino is aged for a minimum of 60 days, more than the average style prosecco. A refreshing glass pops with characteristic pears and a hint of citrus.

■ Jane is a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. Find her on social media and online as One Foot in the Grapes.