Whilst summer holidays may be on pause for the moment, there is another way to get a taste of your favourite French escape. One of the things that we love most about wine is its power to transport us to its place of origin, and with summertime in full swing, why not let a deliciously crisp, chilled rosé take your palate on a journey to la belle France?
We have hand-picked the perfect summer dishes to enjoy with each of our favourite rosé wines, to help you find that holiday feeling.
The ‘Benchmark’ of Rosé
Comte de Provence, La Vidaubanaise, 2018 – 750ml 12% abv
Not only is Provence the oldest wine making region in mainland France, but the sunny, Mediterranean climate is just right for ripening robust Grenache grapes. The perfect rosé growing conditions are due to the cooling Mistral winds that blow gallantly in from the north, ensuring the grapes maintain their vibrant acidity throughout the hot summer months.
Pair with:
This Côtes de Provence is expertly balanced with a refreshing citrus acidity and, thanks to its time spent ‘on lees’, has more complexity than your average rosé. The wine is bursting with wild strawberries, lavender and rosemary, reminiscent of the heady garrigue shrubland of summertime in southern France. It is these Mediterranean flavours that make it a wonderful match for our Prawn Linguine. The ripe, red fruit flavours pair perfectly with the sweet prawns, and the bright acidity in the wine will match the acidity of the tomato sauce, whilst cooling the heat of the chili.
Alternatively, try with our Salmon with Ratatouille. The woody, herbal aromas marry seamlessly with this classic Provençal sauce, and the citrus flavours in the wine acts as an extra squeeze of lemon to cut through the oiliness of the salmon.
The ‘Sublimely Elegant’ Rose
Le Petit Broux, Cave des Vins de Sancerre – 750ml 13% abv
Pair with:
Located in the heart of the Loire, Sancerre’s proximity to the famous river makes for an ideal spot for growing cooler climate grape varieties such as Pinot Noir. The short, hot summers help to bring out the ripe red berry and stone fruit aromas, while the distinct, limestone and marl-rich soils produce wines of vibrant acidity.
Brimming with fragrant wild strawberry, peach and redcurrant fruits, our Sancerre Rosé has a long but light mineral finish which would make it a delightful match for our Roasted Seabream dish. Served with Norfolk Peer potato and pickled cucumber, with a caper and dill mayonnaise, which is picked out perfectly by the citrus minerality of the Sancerre Rose.
You might also enjoy pairing with the Crottin de Chèvre from our Fromagerie, which also hails from Sancerre. Made with raw goat’s milk, matured for 4 weeks, resulting in a soft, crumbly texture with fresh acidity. Remember, as a good rule of thumb – what grows together, goes together!
The ‘Perfect for a Picnic’ Rosé
Pays d’Hérault – 750ml 12% abv
Pair with:
- Chicken & Walnut Salad
- Gazpacho
Cuvée Laborie is made from Cinsault, a red grape variety native to the south of France, that’s just right for making easy-drinking rosé. Cinsault thrives in high temperatures and is drought and wind resistant, perfect for withstanding the hot, dry summers and blustery Tramontane winds of Languedoc-Roussillon. Refreshingly light, and dangerously quaffable, the Cuvée Laborie is packed with crushed summer berries and guaranteed to please a crowd!
Drink alongside light dishes such as our simple-yet-delicious Grilled Chicken and Walnut Salad for a leisurely alfresco lunch in the sunshine.
Or why not try with our chilled Gazpacho. The ripe seasonal tomatoes, zingy cucumber, peppers, garlic, and fresh basil, make this a wine-match made in picnic heaven!
Planning on trying some of our new summer dishes? Why not add a bottle of rosé or two to your basket, and imagine yourself en vacances!
