Wine buff Elodie Cameron, from the team at Thirsty, celebrates the arrival of rosé season
Finally, those blustery days cycling along the Cam have come to an end and we are entering that most perfect time of the year – early summer.
Early summer is always better than full summer, because we are full of the anticipation of the long warm months ahead and the days are longer than those in July and August. The gardens and parks are prettier, too, filled with flowers and lush greenery, before the grass has been worn dry from the sun and over-picnicking.
Best of all, this is the time of year when a glass of rosé tastes its best; the new vintage wines arrive in spring bursting with fruit flavours from strawberry to cherry and redcurrant, and an amazing array of colours from delicate salmon hues to vibrant, translucent cerise. Life starts to take on a more leisurely pace; this is really a time that should not be rushed but instead is there to be savoured. How can you beat an English garden, the buzzing of bees and a glass of rosé – simple perfection. Or time with friends and family, a barbecue or picnic – again bring on the rosé!
“Light coloured rosés are fresh, dry and often elegant”
One of the exciting things about rosé is the broad variations in style and its versatility with food. The ‘pink’ originates from some contact with the skin of black grapes but not enough for the wine to be classed as red. As a result the colour and intensity of flavour can vary hugely according to the amount of contact (one to three days) and also the grape variety and region of origin. Broad brush, there are two approaches with rosé: firstly, the darker the colour the more intense the food you can accompany; and secondly, match wine with food from the same region and you are likely to find success. Simple.
Light-coloured rosés such as those from Provence, or Pinot Noir-based roses from Burgundy and the Loire are fresh, dry, and often elegant. They match seamlessly with seafood, salads, light pasta and goats cheese, due to a wonderful balance of light fruit and a hint of savoury minerality. Grilled prawns with chilli works well, too!
Medium-coloured, Merlot-based rosés (from Bordeaux or beyond) have enough elegance about them to hold up to some sophisticated dishes such as lobster, tuna and even duck, or white-rinded cheese such as Brie.
Darker rosés from Southern France – think Rhone and Languedoc – or from Spain (Rioja and Navarra) can withstand big flavours; anchovy, garlic and even grilled fish and meat such as lamb. Perfect for barbecues or a plate of pâté and charcuterie.
Full-bodied, fruity rosés, often from the new world, are big and bursting with flavour, ideal pulled out of ice buckets at a barbecue or even with a curry. Give it a go: you can be bold with these guys!
Top 4 pink fizz
Grand Chatelain de la Vigne, £9.90
Fresh and easy, this approachable wine offers light summer fruits and versatile drinking. This is a rosé that can take you through a whole meal from aperitif, through tuna pasta to summer pudding.
Mirabeau Pure Rosé, £15.90
An elegant Provencal rosé; with its delicate pale hue there is a complex bouquet of wild strawberry, minerality and white flowers – the perfect accompaniment to red mullet with a herb crust.
Espenhof Kalkstein Rosé, £12
Yes, German rosé and we love it… juicy summer fruits abound, strawberries and cream with a freshness that is uplifting. This is amazing value for such a beautifully made wine – with limited availability, get it before it’s gone!
Belstar Rosé, £13.10
There is plenty to enjoy in this pink fizz made by our fave Prosecco producer Bisol. Ripe red fruits, herbal tones and an elegant mousse. Enjoy any time.
