Radiant roses: seven pretty pinks for you to sip alfresco

Think French for rose, says Sam Wylie-Harris, who takes her palate for a delicious trip to Bordeaux, Saint-Tropez and the Languedoc

Sunshine, blue skies, parasols and a rapturous glass of rose – this is what summer dreams are made of. And whether it’s a picturesque vineyard where time stands still (at least until the last sip!) or seaside charm on the sunny riviera, when it comes to ravishing rose, France has the edge.

From the banks of Bordeaux to the beating heart of Provence, the lure of these fashionable pinks shows no sign of wavering – and why would it when you’ve fallen for the charm of these colourless wines before they’ve hit the glass?

And with a flurry of new vintage releases, there’s plenty to charge a rosecoloured crush right now. Here are seven roses we’re lusting after . . .

CHATEAU BEL AIR PERPONCHER RESERVE 2020, BORDEAUX, FRANCE, £9.95, THE WINE SOCIETY

Bordeaux may be the bedrock of fine wine but it’s also a winemakers’ playground, with so many red grape varieties at their fingertips. Stylistically, they’re just as scintillating as their southern cousins – and this one is beautifully fresh and fragrant, with expressive strawberry aromas and ripe citrus notes supporting the dried berry flavours. Encore!

JEAN-LUC COLOMBO LES PINS COUCHES ROSE 2020, LANGUEDOC-ROUSSILLON, £9.99, LUVIANS

The picturesque countryside of the Languedoc – with its Mediterranean climate and hot, dry summers – produces ripe roses with plenty of lift. Think freshly crushed berries, dried herbal notes, with soft pepper and peachy accents in the mix and a gentle maritime influence. This really lovely rose is a reminder of how dangerously easy it is to sink the pink.

CHATEAU MINUTY ROSE ET OR, COTES DE PROVENCE 2021, FRANCE, £25.95 (WAS £29.95), SECRET BOTTLE SHOP

A fast track to the cypress trees and sandy beaches of St Tropez, Château Minuty overlooks the Bay of SaintTropez, and this elegantly styled rose balances the scent of sweet ripe fruits with a beguiling seafront salinity to make you want to drink in those blue skies. A floral, blossomy nose, jasmine and touch of orange peel are complemented by flavours of pink grapefruit and fleshy stone fruits, with a crisp acid finish.

MADAME F ROSE 2020 X QUEER BRITAIN, ROSE BLEND, FRANCE, £10, SAINSBURY’S STORES

More pool party than shady pergola, this is a suntrap of a wine, with its delightfully fruity profile, soft, well-balanced acidity and loads of juicy red berries on the nose. Fresh, fashionable and a real crowdpleaser, not only do 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.

BERRY BROS & RUDD PROVENCE ROSE 2020 BY CHÂTEAU LA MASCARONNE, FRANCE, £14, BBR.COM

If you long for a place in Provence, this fragrant rose will take you there in a flash, with its attractive strawberry, apricot and red fruits underlined by a spicy note, which continues on the palate. The berry fruits are supported by a streak of minerality with a creamy, silky finish.

SEA CHANGE PROVENCE ROSE 2020, AOC, COTEAUX D’AIX-ENPROVENCE, FRANCE, £16.99, SEA CHANGE

Sea Change supports marine charities

and conservation projects to help tackle issues such as plastic pollution – and drinking for a good cause has never been so pleasurable. This top drop boasts zesty grapefruit allied with perfectly ripe peach, a creamy body, fresh minerality

and perfect balance of fruit. Delicious.

SECRET DE LEOUBE DAYLESFORD ORGANIC COTES DE PROVENCE ROSE 2021, FRANCE, £26, OCADO

Far from frivolous, rose can be as seductive and intriguing as a red wine – and this blushing belle delivers more depth and body thanks to an extra measure of Cabernet Sauvignon. Exotic scents of pears and peach dominate, with

crushed citrusy and leafy herbal notes to remind you this stunning rose comes

from the land of olive trees and lavender fields, and a fresh, mouth-watering finish.