Times Drinks Editor James Viner highlights the pick of the crop with a sensational vinous selection in order to celebrate that summer staple: a glass or two of rosé. Cheers!
1) Must-Try French Bargain: Move over Provence, Here Comes a Pink Triumph from the Rhône’s Southernmost Appellation… Specially Selected Costières de Nîmes Rosé 2019, France (Aldi, £6.49, in store only)
Due to the sunny weather and an upsurge in male imbibers, Aldi’s rosé wine sales leapt by +56% last month and this development is expected to endure as shoppers look to treat the men in their lives in June (hello Father’s Day on the 21st!).
Don’t miss this deeper pink, engaging-but-easy-to-quaff, barbecue-friendly southern Rhône rosé made from grenache, syrah and cinsault. It’s a high-quality wine with a gently herbaceous, piquant set of red berry fruit flavours, all bound in tangy citrus acidity, finishing crisp and fairly long. Summery splendour and superb value. Kudos Aldi! You are regaining your form.
2) A Sleek Pink from Rioja that will Delight Fans of Provence Rosé =El Viaje de Ramón Garnacha Rosé 2019, Spain (Co-op, £8, in store only)
Provence (and also Corsica, readers) aren’t the only regions making superb pale pink wines. This light, pastel salmon-pink Spanish rosé from ace winemaker Rodolfo Bastida is a thyme-redcurrant-floral-and-red apple gem that’s deal as an aperitif or alongside light dishes (think sushi, summer salads, camembert or prawns dunked in aioli). It’s also one for the deckchair, drinking with a decent tome. Easy to enjoy and commend. ¡Salud!
3) Light & Delicate Must-Try Supermarket (just 11% abv) Provençal Pink Mirabeau Forever Summer 2019, France (Sainsbury’s, £11)
Provence produces around a third of France’s rosés. Cannily fashioned to give a charming silkiness and ripe juiciness on the palate, pale grenache/syrah-dominant ‘Forever’ (naff name I know!) merges scents and vibrant flavours of cherries, watermelon, hibiscus and stone/summer fruits. It’s subtle yet flavoursome with enough acidity to keep it from falling over. This would be gorgeous with canapés, salade niçoise, moussaka, ratatouille and all manner of garlicky dishes. Happy and summery, ‘Forever’ is sheer ‘lower’-alcohol Provençal deliciousness in a glass.
4)THINK BIG: AIX ROSÉ COTEAUX D’AIX EN PROVENCE 2019, MAGNUM (Majestic, £26.99 mix 6, 150cl)
Bursting with heady scents and crunchy flavours – part floral, part fennel-spiked red-berry fruit – this is exactly what you would expect from superior grapes (grenache and syrah) and winemaking. Pleine forme once again. Majestic!
5) Decadent, Spellbinding, World-Class Non-Vintage Rosé Champagne. Bollinger Rosé Brut NV, Aÿ, Champagne (Waitrose Cellar, down to £37.49 until June 30)
Let’s stay rosé with (virtually) peerless champagne, readers. Nab this magical, breath-taking and full-bodied offering from the bubble-tastic classic maison de Bollinger – nicknamed ‘the Burgundy house’ (the firm’s new MD, Charles-Armand de Belenet, is also originally from Burgundy) – where every cuvée has a minimum of 60% estate-grown pinot noir. It’s a cracking treat for the senses and the perfect posh picnic wine – rain stay away! Well worth the price tag and utter bliss with sushi and simple seafood. Stunning statuesque pink champers. Take a bow Chef de Cave M. Gilles Descôtes. Delicious 25% offer at Waitrose until June 30.
Follow James on Twitter @QuixoticWine
