Summer is the season of outdoor activities and celebrations. Weddings, graduation ceremonies, barbeques and garden parties, to name but a few, can all be livened up by a well-chosen bubbly or lighter and fresher wines. Fruity dry white wines from the new world are a safe choice Рbut the more daring would certainly give ros̩ a chance.
Frowned upon and unfashionable in Britain over the last couple of decades, rosé wines, not to mention rosé champagne and sparkling wine, are making a comeback. In the past two to three years sales have been on the increase. Whether it is your regular supermarket or multiple outlet, or an independent wine merchant, they now all stock a selection both from the old and new world wine regions.
With the exception of Champagne Rosé, rosé is not a blend of red and white wine. It is made of red grape varieties, although nowadays many wine makers add a certain amount of white grapes to the red. The grapes are crushed as soon as they arrive at the cellar, and the juice is left in contact with the skin only for a very short time. Then the must is cleared of all solid elements and is fermented without further maceration. Well chilled, rosé wines make a surprisingly good food match. They do not have tannin, but a good rosé is crisp, fresh, fruity and well balanced. It looks good in the glass, too. Here is a selection which, I hope, will appeal to most palates and budgets:Champagne Moët et Chandon Rosé Imperial
This is a champagne for every occasion, with a lively bouquet of fresh red summer berries with floral nuances.
Country: France.
Price: £34.99.
Food: As an aperitif
Champagne Lenoble Rosé Vintage, 2000Fruity and subtle with red fruit aromas. Delicate salmon pink with good fruit and a dry finish.
Country: France
Price: £22.99
Food: As an aperitifFruity and subtle with red fruit aromas. Delicate salmon pink with good fruit and a dry finish.Country: France Price: £22.99 Food: As an aperitifDom Vincent Rosé, NVCreamy texture with long lasting fine bubbles.
This wine stood out shoulder to shoulder with vintage champagne at a blind tasting.
Country: France
Price: £13.99
Food: Fruit salads Fruity and subtle with red fruit aromas. Delicate salmon pink with good fruit and a dry finish.Country: France Price: £22.99 Food: As an aperitifThis wine stood out shoulder to shoulder with vintage champagne at a blind tasting.Country: FrancePrice: £13.99Food: Fruit saladsDomaine d’en Ségur Rosé, 2006
Pale pink in colour. Very elegant on the palate, with lively pomegranate.
Country: France
Price: £6.99
Food: Grilled meat Pale pink in colour. Very elegant on the palate, with lively pomegranate.Country: France Price: £6.99Food: Grilled meatYali Merlot Rosé, 2006A vibrant pink wine with delicate hints of violet and a lush combination of strawberries and raspberries, and floral notes on the nose.
Country: Chile
Price: £5.99
Food: Cheese and pastaA vibrant pink wine with delicate hints of violet and a lush combination of strawberries and raspberries, and floral notes on the nose.Country: Chile Price: £5.99Food: Cheese and pasta A vibrant pink wine with delicate hints of violet and a lush combination of strawberries and raspberries, and floral notes on the nose.Country: Chile Price: £5.99Food: Cheese and pasta
Fruity and subtle with red fruit aromas. Delicate salmon pink with good fruit and a dry finish.Country: France Price: £22.99 Food: As an aperitifThis wine stood out shoulder to shoulder with vintage champagne at a blind tasting.Country: FrancePrice: £13.99Food: Fruit saladsPale pink in colour. Very elegant on the palate, with lively pomegranate.Country: France Price: £6.99Food: Grilled meatA vibrant pink wine with delicate hints of violet and a lush combination of strawberries and raspberries, and floral notes on the nose.Country: Chile Price: £5.99Food: Cheese and pasta
