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The Hidden Sea Rosé

The Hidden Sea RoséTry this combination on for size – a blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay – in a rosé. Only those cheeky Australians could get away with it. And they do in this case. By deploying the saignée method of colour extraction and cool...

Château Bellini Rosé

Château Bellini RoséLuxuriate with this elegant Provençal rosé, a finely crafted bottle full of sumptuous ripe fruit and a with a lingering, faintly spicy finish. I think this is the first time I have ever referenced papaya when tasting a pink wine, but there is a...

Seven Springs Syrah Rosé

Seven Springs Syrah RoséThis stylish South African pink has a fired earth hue in the glass, delicate aromas of melon and subtle nectarine on the nose. The finish packs a heft reminiscent of red wine, which means it makes a good food match. There is undoubted attention...

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The Hidden Sea Rosé

The Hidden Sea Rosé

The Hidden Sea RoséTry this combination on for size – a blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay – in a rosé. Only those cheeky Australians could get away with it. And they do in this case. By deploying the saignée method of colour extraction and cool...

Château Bellini Rosé

Château Bellini Rosé

Château Bellini RoséLuxuriate with this elegant Provençal rosé, a finely crafted bottle full of sumptuous ripe fruit and a with a lingering, faintly spicy finish. I think this is the first time I have ever referenced papaya when tasting a pink wine, but there is a...

Vina Sol Rosado

Vina Sol Rosado

Viña Sol RosadoWhat’s not to love about delicious, uncomplicated Vina Sol? It’s one of the iconic brands from the formidable Catalan house of Torres, winners of a recent award for Green Company of the Year. In case this sounds like so much flummery it isn’t. This...

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Where is a wine I can serve with artichoke? A trul

Where is a wine I can serve with artichoke? A truly tricky match - but I have a solution! Consider a rosé, and this delightful citrussy Grenache from South Africa truly lives up to its name… enough structure to tackle those creamy, vegetal flavours- and a wonderfully light finish. At only 11.5% this is a wine for leisurely lunches - and, let’s face it, artichokes are a true labour of love - and how I love them. This pale russet pink has technical skill written all over it, and it is from a very sustainable winery too. I award it 17.5.

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Instagram post 18215968210232425

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Instagram post 18046866601439490

This Rioja Rosado is a bit of a lightweight - in t

This Rioja Rosado is a bit of a lightweight - in terms of glass that is. The bottle is 40g lighter than before, a great contribution to sustainability. The wine itself is a subtle tone of palest satsuma and the flavour also recalls orange citrus with just a hint of ground almond on the finish. It’s super dry and would make a fabulous pair for oily fish such as mackerel or tuna. I award it 16.5.

In a bar by the port of Chania in Crete..

In a bar by the port of Chania in Crete..

Elevenses in Crete- a glass of fruity rosé and de

Elevenses in Crete- a glass of fruity rosé and delicious sesame snacks plus local almonds and raisins- this after an exemplary breakfast featuring authentic Greek yogurt with herb scented honey….. I am on a quest for a fine Cretan pink but … the quest continues!

It’s only 12.5% and it’s made by the Tradition

It’s only 12.5% and it’s made by the Traditional Method - it’s enlivening, delectable and from the lovely Loire Valley….,I award it 17.5

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Instagram post 18212826631236616

Made by the same method as Prosecco, this spiffy s

Made by the same method as Prosecco, this spiffy sparkler from the south of France is based on Syrah and Grenache which lend it more depth than its Italian rival but it also has abundant fruit and charm. Created by the talented team at Mirabeau, this wine is another example of the Cronks’ genius at knowing which wines will hit our sweet spot. Not that this is at all sweet- it’s deliciously dry on the finish and perfect by itself or with a light lunch like this mix of prawn, pistachio and watercress. My score is 17.5 points

Prosecco style from Provence? See my next post for

Prosecco style from Provence? See my next post for more….

Amber light glows in this charming Chiaretto, a ro

Amber light glows in this charming Chiaretto, a rosé style from the Veneto that deserves a wider audience. On the nose there’s wild strawberry and a hint of fresh-snapped pistachio, on the palate surprising grip and warm acidity, making this a fantastic pairing with unctuous dishes like avocado on toast - with a pink twist of lightly pickled onion. Exceptional value from Lidl. I award it 16.5 points.

What better than a glass of Sofia pink sparkling w

What better than a glass of Sofia pink sparkling wine in Marina del Rey sunshine? Francis Ford Coppola was a pioneer in so-called ‘celebrity wine’ here in California and set quite the benchmark. This delicate Pinot Noir sparkler is consciously modelled on fine (and underappreciated) Crémant de Loire from France and Sofia Coppola has struck just the right balance between a perfect aperitif wine and a wine to accompany food. Matched with a plate of spicy shrimp tacos this lychee/ cranberry fizz is in its element, but would also be a great match for a smoked salmon canapé. I award it 17.

It’s Mother’s Day in the UK and there’s a wa

It’s Mother’s Day in the UK and there’s a waft of Spring in the air. In the glass there is Whispering Angel 2022 which epitomises Summer- ripe nectarine, a hint of spice and a warmth on the palate. My score- 18.5. Pair this with a simple Salade Niçoise or an elaborate lobster dish… or simply sip as an aperitif. Over to you.

On this day when we celebrate women, I nominate Ch

On this day when we celebrate women, I nominate Charlotte (Lolly) Krajewski, the stunningly talented winemaker at @clos_cantenac in Bordeaux. Her exceptional rosé sets a benchmark for the region (see my post in October 2021) and her innovative approach reflects her family’s international experience. This wine is worthy of a 19 in my new scoring system. Look out for a full review in my online Rosé Report (link in bio). You go girl !

Big news- from now on I will be awarding scores ou

Big news- from now on I will be awarding scores out of 20 for all wines reviewed here. These will all be collated in my online Rosé Report, with full reviews for you to consult. But no score for the wine you see here? Why not? It’s not a wine you will find unless you come to the Dordogne, where you will unearth any number of delectable and undervalued wines. Red, white and - occasionally- pink. Made with familiar Bordeaux grape varieties of course - with a twist of Bergerac. PS this particular organic wine was purchased at the local hypermarché for around 5 euros, and I would definitely rate it a 16.

It’s the season for a change of vintage with ros

It’s the season for a change of vintage with rosé wines, so you should find bargains on shelves everywhere as merchants prepare for summer and replace their 2021 bottles with fresh 2022. In the case of this refreshing Figuiere it is still glowing in the glass, redolent of fresh nectarine and wild herbs. I’m still in the Bordeaux/Bergerac region as I write. Continuing to seek great local pink (any recommendations?) but in the meantime this Provençal charmer fitted the bill with a dish of creamy mushroom arancini and a subtle salad of seasonal vegetables including endive and radish.

Looking for great local rosé in the old quarter o

Looking for great local rosé in the old quarter of lovely Bergerac - I know and love @chateau_jaubertie - will keep you posted on new finds!

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Instagram post 18035892937431293

A lunch in London with Faouzi Issa of Domaine des

A lunch in London with Faouzi Issa of Domaine des Tourelles: Lebanon’s first commercial winery back in 1868 and also producer of a pioneering rosé, since 1963. Cinsault is a key grape of the region, passionately celebrated and living its best life in this pink wine and the reds from the same winery. Faiouzi spent years working with top Rhône and Margaux producers so brings modern French know how to combine with exceptional grapes grown on the unique terroir of the Bekaa Valley, with 300 days of sunshine annually but also cool nights and ideal slopes. This pink has tremendous mouthfeel and a proper berry finish to accompany duck to perfection. A truly gastronomic rosé from an ancient wine region with a modern twist.

Guess what? It’s National Pizza Day on Thursday!

Guess what? It’s National Pizza Day on Thursday! Any excuse to warm up with a tarted-up shop version- I add quality peperoncino oil from Italy and fresh basil. And, for a change, try yours with a bone dry pale pink from Aragon in Spain. The Campo de Borja region has glorious Garnacha vines, many over 40 years old, growing on steep slopes. It’s a challenging climate here with scorching summers and biting winters. The reds are generally excellent and the smaller rosé production often overlooked. Time to remedy that and enjoy the clean, crisp charm of this affordable wine. The acidity balances the cheesy richness of pizza with aplomb.

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