WEEKEND WINE PICKS
Gérard Bertrand Côte Des Rosés Rosé 2021, Languedoc, Southern France
$24.95 I 89/100
UPC: 3514123111002 Gerard Bertrand has been pursuing several Rosé versions, each with its charm. This introductory Côte Des Rosés rosé comes from various sites across the Languedoc. The blend is Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah, each vinified separately in stainless steel before blending. The palate is a cool, sleek, fresh affair with a rush of juicy strawberry and raspberry flecked with tangerine and bright acidity that keeps you returning to the glass. Finished under a Vino-loc, the bottle looks as good as it tastes. Prawns, anyone?
Phoenix Afterglow Rosé, Keremeos, Similkameen Valley
$21.90 I 88/100
UPC: 69652021012 The Phoenix labels are new from Corcelettes that take winemaker Charlie Baessler outside the Similkameen estate to source grapes that complement the home team. The wine opens with a pale pink-orange colour and freshly crushed berries streaked with tangerine, citrus and watermelon. The blend is Merlot, Malbec, Syrah and Pinot Noir. You can serve solo or on a sunny patio, or go with the winery recommendation: melted Brie with roasted garlic on a baguette. Afterglow is fermented in a mix of stainless steel and neutral oak and is finished with a modest 6.6 g/l of sugar.
Lakeboat Pinot Noir Rosé 2022, Kaleden, Okanagan Valley $18.95 I 87/100
UPC: 749565399869 This simple, off-dry pink fits the adage that what you see is what you get. It has a pale colour and fresh citrus notes with a touch of strawberry and apple, lemon, ginger ale and red fruits. It is clean, soft and ready to drink all summer. It is priced reasonably.
Tightrope Winery Rosé 2023, Okanagan Valley $25 I 89/100
UPC: 626990153825 Tightrope opens with an intriguing candied lemon and strawberry nose. The 96/4 blend of Pinot Noir and Barbera is all Naramata, handpicked over a three-week window. The wine is mostly dry on the palate, with just a small bump of residual sugar to smooth out the edges. It's ready to drink, and you can serve it solo well chilled. It would also be fun with beef tacos or a salmon pizza.
Tormaresca Calafuria 2021, Salento, Puglia, Italy
$52 I 89/100
UPC: 8026530000480 This peach-pink Rosado is made from the Negroamaro grape. It is sourced from the Maìme estate in San Pietro Vernotico, near the Adriatic Sea, on the Antinori-owned Tormaresca estate in Puglia. You may be surprised by how fresh and vibrant it is while remaining Italian dry and food-friendly. We love the fragrant southern Italian notes of melon and mango that permeate its creamy texture and fresh citrus-sprayed grapefruit and pear fruit. The place has lovely purity and authenticity; hence, it looks Provençal but is Italian. Sold in 1.5-litre bottles.