I really enjoy tasting and drinking rosé. It’s not just the flavour profiles but also the association. I can’t help but reminisce of summer when I taste rosé.

I feel privileged to be able to taste with the Liquor Barons panel every two weeks which is fantastic not just to be able to try new vintages and different styles of wine but to discuss our thoughts, findings and scores with each other after tasting. In July we tried rosés and the Turkey Flat 2017 Rosé from the Barossa was one of my top rosés from the panel.

For me rosé needs to have fruit structure, acidity and length. I prefer young rosés, particularly those from Provence, the south of France. This region produces more rosé than any other wine region in France.

While I stayed in Provence in the summer, I was lucky to be able to taste a wide range of roses, one I was able to try at Super U, from the Amédée winery. Where ever there is a wine on tasting; be it at a market, supermarket, wine store, have a try (and spit in particular if you’re driving). Keep developing your palate with each wine you try.

My top wines from the summer are:

1. Miraval Rosé 2016, €12.95. Stunning, fruit structure, lovely. The bottle was quickly finished!
2. Amédée Lila Rosé 2016 just over €6. This was on tasting at Super U and the lady there pouring was very informative and generous with her serves. It was also good to be able to taste a selection of wines from this producer while food shopping. This wine was my go to (as well as Domaine de la Bastidonne) while in France. Great value, good food structure and length at about €6.
3. By Ott Rosé 2016: a bit expensive at over €12 a bottle but delightful. And much cheaper than the premium label; Domaines Ott at €25 a botte
4. Domaine de la Bastidonne Rosé 2016: I loved their bottled rosés last year and loved them this year. At just over €6 a bottle, it is fantastic value
5. Les Hauts Plateaux Rosé 2016, Vin de Provence: A family friend bought this so I’m not sure of the price but definitively well under €10. So fresh, lively with great forward fruit, wonderful!
6. Adonis Rosé 2016, from Cave de Lumières, €5.60. Made at a co-operative based in the picturesque village of Goult, this wine was perfect for pre- dinner drinks and went well with our barbeque chicken!

Heading into spring, I’ll be sourcing more rosés; French, Australian and I’ll be on the hunt for other internationals! Cheers!