ON THE GRAPEVINE
BY SAM WYLIE HARRIS
When it comes to ravishing rosé, France has the edge. And with a flurry of new vintage releases, there’s plenty to charge a rosécoloured crush right now.
Jean-Luc Colombo Les Pins Couches Rosé 2020, Languedoc-Roussillon (£9.99, Luvians) The picturesque Languedoc with its Mediterranean climate produces ripe rosés with plenty of lift. Think freshly crushed berries, dried herbal notes, with soft pepper and peachy accents and a gentle maritime influence. This really lovely rosé is a reminder of how easy it is to drink pink.
Madame F Rosé 2020 x Queer Britain, Rosé Blend, France (£10, Sainsbury’s stores) This is a suntrap of a wine, with a fruity profile, soft, well-balanced acidity and loads of juicy red berries on the nose. A real crowd-pleaser – we love the quirky ‘Susy the Frog’ label. It’s a collaboration between Madame F and Queer Britain, a charity working to create the UK’s first national LGBTQ+ museum.
Sea Change Provence Rosé 2020, AOC, Coteaux d’Aixen-Provence, France (£16.99, Sea Change) Sea Change supports marine charities and conservation projects to help tackle issues like plastic pollution – and drinking for a good cause has never been so pleasurable. This top drop boasts zesty grapefruit allied with ripe peach, a creamy body, fresh minerality and perfect balance of fruit. Delicious.
Chateau Minuty Rose et Or, Cotes de Provence 2021, France (£25.95 – was £29.95 – Secret Bottle Shop) Chateau Minuty overlooks the Bay of SaintTropez, and this elegantly styled rosé balances the scent of sweet ripe fruits with a beguiling seafront salinity. A floral, nose, jasmine and touch of orange peel are complemented by pink grapefruit and fleshy stone fruits, with crisp acidity on the finish.
Secret de Leoube Daylesford Organic Cotes de Provence Rosé 2021, France (£26, Ocado) Far from frivolous, rosé can be as seductive and intriguing as a red wine, and this blushing belle delivers a little more depth and body thanks to an extra measure of cabernet sauvignon. Exotic scents of soft pears and peach dominate, with crushed citrusy and attractive leafy, herbal notes and a fresh, mouth-watering finish.