Let the games begin. Rosé sales rose 53% last year and there doesn’t seem to be signs of a slow down. Why? It’s light, refreshing, uncomplicated and perfect for summer sipping. I’ll be recommending my favorite rosés every month this summer, so here’s the first batch for National Rosé Day on June 9, from the OG pink place, Provence!
Provencal rosé, with its pretty pale salmon color is generally made from Cinsault and Grenache. I like it on the hotter summer days in July and August because it’s so light, but I know it’s most people’s favorite so I give the grapefriends what they want in June. Buy these bottles by the case and start clocking some serious porch time:
1 Mathilde Chapoutier: Absolutely love this one! Great white peach and very light strawberry mixed with a touch of slatey minerality.
$19.99 BUY HERE
2 Mirabeau: mineral, lavender and light – a perfect Provencal pink.
$19.99 BUY HERE
3 Miraval – Brangelina may not have lasted, but their vineyards endure! Despite the celebrity notoriety, I genuinely like this rosé with its elegant watermelon and strawberry flavors.
$21.99 BUY HERE
4 Bieler Père et Fils: delicious strawberry notes and a great value!
$13.99 BUY HERE
5 Chateau Sainte Marguerite: white florals and a hint of tangerine with a wonderfully elegant texture.
$25.99 BUY HERE
6 La Chapelle Gordonne: delicate and fresh, great for a poolside splash.
$23.95 BUY HERE
7 Special shout out to the Bandol area in Provence! It makes amazing, wild reds and the rosés from the same Mourvèdre grapes are equally fantastic. Domaine de Terrebrune is just awesome, racy, intense citrus and red berry.
$32.99 BUY HERE
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grapefriend 
Provence is the only place I’ve ever toured where rose seemed to work well with a breakfast of fresh fruit, a fresh baton of bread and a soft triple creme cheese. I suddenly understood the old adage of looking at the world through rose coloured glasses.