Rosé wine consumption in Britain has increased by a staggering 30% in the last year. It has finally cast off its epithet as a ‘summer drink’ and is more and more popular in restaurants. Our own Tanners Rosé from Gascony has enough depth to be a really good food wine as well as a glugger, becoming a firm favourite in a relatively short period of time. You will also find our new addition, Prieuré de Montézargues from Tavel - much in demand locally, it is a terrific find. Château Miaudoux is a fresh, balanced rose from Bergerac, easy drinking and lighter than the delicious Domaine du Poujol blend of Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah. Château Villerambert-Julien is bigger again, full of the warmth of the Minervois, a deep-coloured rose with flavours to match. For a more classical style of rose, try the Dezat family’s Sancerre Rosé. From pure Pinot Noir, it is one of the best on the market.
Our two Australian entries, the Hunter Valley Saignée from Margan and the Fairbank Rosé from Victoria are both delicious, serious, dry food rose wines. For a simpler drink, Torres, the famed Catalan producer, has the very good Santa Digna Cabernet rosado from Chile’s Curicó Valley, and Concha y Toro’s Merlot rosado is also easy-drinking and well priced. To round off, California weighs in with Angel’s Flight and R H Phillips, two medium-sweet White Zinfandels made in a lower alcohol style that are delicious well-chilled on a hot day and with spicy food!