How are you bearing up in this heat wave?
Hot enough for ya?
How many times this week have you heard that, as we languish under the heat dome from h*ll? If the temperatures have you wanting to reach for something refreshing to drink, consider these French rosés that can transport you to cooler climes.
Heat dome fix: Four coolers from the south
By Ott 2024, Cotes de Provence. Fresh and zesty, with a pink grapefruit smack that plays nice with melon, sweet Mandarin and white nectarine flavors. The underlying herbal layer contributes some sage notes and everything swishes around delightfully in your mouth until the savory finish.
Château La Nerthe “Les Cassagnes” 2024, Cotes du Rhône. From a heritage producer’s 30-year-old vines, this is a glassful of tangerine and wild red berries uplifted by a streak of blood orange and some salty mineral notes. Fine to drink on its own, but also a fresh accompaniment to small Mediterranean plates of lightly salted tomatoes, a salty-brined cheese, dolma and baba ganoush.
Gerard Bertrand Cotes des Rosés “Art Edition” 2024, AOP Languedoc. This limited-edition bottle, a collaboration between the winery and Australian artist Morgan Jamieson, is already dressed for a summer party. A blend of traditional southern France grapes, the winemaker says it “celebrates the Mediterranean Art of Living.” Made from organic grapes on a masterful terroir, the wine burst with bright red fruits underlaid by an herbal/anise thread.
Hecht & Bannier Coteaux d’Aix en Provence. A white-fruited (melon, nectarine) and peachy summery blend of Grenache and Cinsault, with classic herbal tinges. Pretty botanical artwork on the label portends what’s within — a real charmer that makes a nice plus one at a party.
Take five: Wines for cooling off
J de Villebois 2023 Sancerre Rosé AOP. A light and fresh offering from the far-east Loire Valley, this light-salmon-colored, white-floral scented wine pops with small red fruits, plush raspberry, cherry and a meandering line of tangerine. Made from Pinot Noir grapes, very dry, elegant in both taste and presentation.
Jean-Luc Colombo Cape Bleu Rosé. Terrific wine at a great price, this is one of the wines I think of when I think southern France and, particularly, the Mediterranean. A saline hint is accompanies by savory garrigue herbs, red fruits. So fresh and easy, it’s tempting to drink the whole bottle in one sitting. (In fact, dear reader, I have!)
Famille Perrin Cotes du Rhône Reserve 2023. A blend of the four typical grapes of the Rhône by an undisputed master whose entry level wines are made with just as much integrity as the prestige crus in the house. This one is peachy-pink in color, dry and fresh and delivers a tart red-fruit profile: think currants and pomegranate.
PURE by Mirabeau 2024, Cotes de Provence. A peach party in a glass! This Grenache-driven blend delivers classic Provencal flavors of garrigue, brightly elevated by wild menthol and a tinge of tangerine. Light on its feet, pretty bottle for a summer party presentation.