With thoughts of time on the beach, it is well worth considering a bottle of rosé, writes Fiona Taylor, of Christopher Piper Wines.
Living in Devon we are never far away from the coast, whether you prefer the pebbly beaches of Sidmouth, the soft sand and waves at Woolacombe or wandering the cobbles in Dartmouth, there really is something for everyone.
I find it’s the same with wine as it caters for all tastes, and with supermarkets and the sparkling gems of independent wine merchants around the county you’re never too far away from a good bottle !
There is something quintessential about the association between English beaches in late spring and crisp, refreshing rosés. Maybe it’s the thought of soaking up all that lovely sunshine without a care in the world. Deckchairs, the newspapers, seagulls, seaweed and vinegar – say all those things and we think of holidays by the sea, or if you’re lucky, an escaped afternoon from work. A glass of rosé on a sun setting Devon beach is perhaps one of the greatest pleasures in life (I’m not biased at all..) and like Devon beaches, rosé comes in all colours, styles and I’m sure there’s one for everyone out there.
If you like your rosé pale, crisp, cold, light and refreshing you can’t go far wrong by heading to the Loire valley or the fresh and fruity from Provence.
Sancerre produces lusciously elegant wines which pair fantastically well with seafood and herby chicken dishes and those from the latter are generally full of peach and apricot flavours perfect for picnics. Like them slightly more robust ? Keep heading south to Minervois and Languedoc for deliciously pervasive classic strawberry flavours or even over the seas to South Africa and Australia for profoundly dry rosés that stand up well to spicier dishes.
Sweeter styles of rosé can be found from California which can be slightly OTT and not everyone’s cup of tea. If you like the fruit but perhaps prefer a more elegant style look for Grenache Rosé which have the full-on fruity flavours but without the ‘boiled strawberry sweetie’ notes.
If you want to try just one rosé this summer then the Minervois Rosé from Château d’Oupia (from Christopher Piper Wines of course) is succulent, intense, richly coloured and drinking perfectly, whichever beach you decide to head for.
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