Try a rosé from Provence

Rosé? That sweet stuff with an ice cube on the terrace? Of course you don’t drink that. Well, we do. Because once you know what to look for when buying a bottle, it might just become your favourite summer drink.

If you don’t like rosé, there’s a very good chance you’ve never tasted a good rosé. On the average terrace, rosé is dark pink in colour and especially very sweet. If you don’t like that, you might dismiss it after the first sip. Then try a bottle from Provence.

Côte de Provence

You can often recognise varieties from this region by their very pale, almost salmon-pink colour. Rosé is made from red grapes; in Provence, these are mainly Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvèdre. The grape skin gives the wine its red colour; with rosé, skin contact is very brief, which keeps the wine’s colour very light.

Fresh and floral

They often have plenty of fresh acidity, while also being spicy and floral, which makes the wine beautifully balanced. You’ll also often find red fruit such as strawberries and raspberries in the flavour, as well as notes of citrus. Because it is dry and crisp, it is the ideal barbecue, beach or picnic wine and pairs well with many dishes.

Food

Especially with fish and shellfish, or a pizza or salad with anchovies, for example. It’s also delicious as an aperitif or with white meat, such as chicken or pork. But when the weather is nice, we’re also happy to drink a glass of rosé with our burger from the barbecue.

Drink immediately

Unlike some other wines, rosé should not be kept for too long, as this does not improve the flavour. You also won’t often find a bottle that is older than two or three years. So drink it as soon as possible—but that doesn’t seem like a problem to us.

Affordable

Fortunately, a Côte de Provence does not always have to be very expensive. At Albert Heijn, they have a delicious, approachable version, for just € 6.99. The wine comes from Chateau Roquefuille, where delicious wines are made that fit the style of the region perfectly. If you always have a few bottles of this chilled, your summer drinks gathering can start at any moment.