Summer’s just begun and we’re already feeling the heat! With long, sunny days and soaring temperatures, what’s the best way to cool off? Summer also means aperitifs, picnics and barbecues. To satisfy this need for refreshment, as well as to accompany summer meals, France abounds in wonderful wines that answer the call !
French rosé wines for summer
Rosé wines are often the first wines we think of when the warmer weather arrives. Rosé wines are produced in all the wine-growing regions of France, and have very different profiles, brought about by the terroir and grape varieties used.
Provence rosé wines
Provence is France’s leading rosé wine-producing region. Its climate and terroir make it possible to produce top-quality rosés from perfectly adapted grape varieties. Provence rosés have a fleshy, full-bodied profile thanks to the region’s abundant sunshine. The use of Grenache in Provence rosé blends also adds volume and fullness to the wines. With colors ranging from peach, melon, mango, pomelo and tangerine to redcurrant, Provence rosés can accompany a multitude of dishes, especially Mediterranean. Well-known appellations include Côtes de Provence, Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence and Coteaux Varois en Provence.
Loire rosé wines
The Loire vineyards are also well known for the quality of their rosé wines. There are two types of rosé: dry, the most common, and those containing residual sugar. Such is the case with rosé d’Anjou, a sweet, gourmet wine, or Cabernet d’Anjou (very sweet wine).
Dry rosé wines are the most refreshing, and therefore the most enjoyable in summer, with their red fruit aromas reminiscent of strawberry, raspberry and redcurrant. Thanks to their lively attack and superb freshness, Loire rosé wines can be enjoyed as aperitifs or on their own.
Rosé wines from Corsica
While Provence and Loire Valley are renowned for the quality of their rosé wines, other regions such as Corsica and Bordeaux also produce highly appreciated rosé wines. Thanks to its mountainous, Mediterranean climate, Corsica enjoys an exceptional terroir for the production of its wines. Corsican rosé blends include Mediterranean varieties such as Vermentino, Grenache and Cinsault, as well as indigenous varieties such as Nielluccio and Sciaccarello. The rosés have a lovely taste personality, just like the Corsican vineyards!
Bordeaux rosé wines
Although rosé wines represent only 4% of Bordeaux’s total production, they’re still a must-try! In fact, during a recent tasting at a Parisian wine shop, a selection of rosé wines from Bordeaux was better appreciated than rosé wines from Provence! For prices that are often much lower, it’s well worth taking an interest in rosé wines from the Bordeaux vineyards!
For a Bordeaux rosé that’s almost red, try Bordeaux Clairet!
Rosé wine and food pairing
Regardless of the region you choose for your rosé wine, rosé wine goes perfectly with summer dishes. As an aperitif, you’ll appreciate a dry, fruity rosé to accompany fruits, raw vegetables and aperitif cakes. Why not a rosé from the Loire valley ?
With grilled white meats, fish or prawns, enjoy a more structured wine, such as a rosé from Provence, which is fuller-bodied wine , thanks to the region’s very sunny weather. Dishes based on Mediterranean vegetables, also known as sun vegetables, are just as perfect with these rosé wines, which are sometimes reminiscent of the aromas of Provence herbs.
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