2016 Rimauresq, Côtes de Provence, France
£13.50, woodwinters.com
This sits in the glass with a beautiful salmon-pink hue. There is attractive red fruit on the nose — think redcurrants — and it is bone dry, with a long, mineral finish.
2016 Château d’Ollières, Vin de Provence, France
£12.50, beckfordbottleshop.com
One of the palest and most delicate Provençal rosés I’ve tasted, with floral aromas but a refreshingly dry finish. We paired it with lemon sole and it slipped down magically. This is how good rosé should taste.
2016 Les Petits Diable Rosé, Domaine des Diables, Côtes de Provence, France
£11.95, leaandsandeman.co.uk
This blend of syrah, grenache and cinsault has a wonderful, pale pink character. I first sipped it while visiting the Cornish coast, and the smell of fresh fruits was heavenly. Perfect with something fished out of the sea.
2015 Chêne Bleu, Le Rosé, Vaucluse, France
£21.99, waitrosecellar.com
Nicole and Xavier Rolet’s estate, high up in the Rhône valley, has fast been attracting plaudits. A blend of mainly syrah and grenache, this has appealing concentrated citrus notes. The 2016, coming soon, has glorious notes of rose-water and jasmine. Utterly glorious.
2016 Mirabeau Classic Rosé, Côtes de Provence, France
£9.99, Waitrose
When Englishman Stephen Cronk decided on a career change in 2008, it was the start of something special: a move to France to make rosé in Provence. The 2016 is bursting with red-berry fruit and has a bright, fresh tang, but retains its structure to go well with almost any summer dish.
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2016 Les Quatre Tours, Vin de Provence, France
£10, friarwood.com
A blend of grenache, syrah, cinsault and cabernet sauvignon, this has a pale salmon-pink hue and a nose of floral fruit with citrus notes. Nice and crisp, there’s a touch of grapefruit and red fruit on the palate. Superb with grilled meats.
2016 AIX, Coteaux d’Aix en Provence, France
£24 (in a mix of 6), Majestic
Very pale, this shimmers with a slight copper blush. Once sipped, it is as light as a feather, with pleasing soft, ripe summer fruit. It finishes dry and long, with a lovely saline character.
2016 Confidence de Gascogne Rosé, Côtes de Gascogne, France
£5.49, Lidl
This thirst-quenching blend of merlot and cabernet sauvignon has a mature, salmon-pink hue. One to pair with rich summer food — there is plenty of spice and body and it finishes light and crisp. It’s easy on the wallet, too.
2016 Château Terrebonne, Côtes de Provence, France
£11.49, laithwaites.co.uk
This has a delicate, pale tone. The nose is quite reserved, but it turns light and bright, with a dry finish. An elegant one for someone who enjoys a lighter style.
2016 Whispering Angel, Caves d’Esclans, Côtes de Provence, France
£15.95, fromvineyardsdirect.com
The arrival of the new vintage of Whispering Angel must be in a lot of people’s diaries, such is its supremely consistent quality. A sniff reveals a slight trace of smoke, giving way to cool grapefruit notes and finishing with a dry, mineral tang. Absolutely delicious.