We are fully in the thick of rose season now! Nothing but sunny skies and temps in the 90s! Pools are reopened… beach trips in the works…

Why rose? What’s the attraction? Well, just look at them… the pale pink elixir just screams “Drink me!” And once you take the plunge, you are likely to be hooked. Thanks to the red grapes involved, rose has more tannins than your average white wine, giving it just the right amount of oomph to stand up to food. While you might reach for a fruity red in the cooler months to pair with burgers, ribs, pork chops, etc., during these hot months, you crave a little more refreshment. Rose can bridge that gap, offering refreshment while still standing up to heavier foods.

France is still the dominant player in the market, so we tasted through dozens to find a sampler for everyone. New to rose? Grab a starter three-pack. Already knee-deep in the rose pool? Grab six or 12 and save even more!

You can mix them however you like… but I’ll illustrate evenly mixed packs for reference…

• Mix a case and save 30% - That’s just $11.19 per bottle on 4 of each!
• Mix six and save 25% - Only $11.99 per bottle on 2 of each
• Grab 3 and save 20% - Works out to $12.79 per bottle.

All prices beat the Best US Prices posted Online!!!

Chateau Guiot Costieres de Nimes 2020

90 pts Wine Enthusiast

Regularly $14.99

$10.49 in a mixed case / $11.24 mix six / $11.99 on Sale

An interesting side note: the word “denim” comes from the French “serge de Nîmes,” meaning “serge (a sturdy fabric) from Nîmes.” Levi Strauss used this new fabric to create what became as known as blue jeans.

80% Grenache / 20% Syrah. This is the essence of French rose. Intense aromas of wild flowers, cherries and peach lead into a pale pink gem offering loads of cherry, raspberry and peach flavors, all balanced by vibrant acidity and fine minerality. Pomegranate seeds are in my mind now… both as a descriptor and as an accent to a light salad that would be a perfect match! Also, pizza, goat cheese, shrimp…

Chateau Clamens Fronton 2020

Regularly $16.99

$11.89 in a mixed case / $12.74 mix six / $13.59 on Sale

From Fronton! A small appellation located in southwestern France, just 35 km north of Toulouse. We rarely see Fronton wines imported let alone the roses ; the French keep them all for themselves! A delightful blend of 50% Negrette and 50% Syrah, as soon as we tasted this, we knew we wanted it in our rose case. The Negrette makes all the difference. Grown almost exclusively in Fronton this black-skinned highly aromatic grape brings gorgeous aromas of white flowers, violets, raspberries, and citrus. A fruit filled palate follows, with plenty of wild berries, and hints of grapefruit zest. Delicate yet well-structured with a little spice and fresh minerals leading into a long finish. Grilled shrimp and other assorted tapas would be fabulous here.

Guillaume Gonnet Cotes du Rhone Le Reveur 2020

Regularly $15.99

$11.19 in a mixed case / $11.99 mix six / $12.79 on Sale

50% grenache, 50% Cinsault from 30 year-old vines. The Cinsault is what does it for me… adding notes of watermelon and citrus to Grenache’s cherry and raspberry. The balance makes for a brisk, refreshing style, perfectly suited for drinking on its own. Of course, it also has the pizzazz to pair with food, like fish, chicken or pizza! (See how I did that?)



Or reply. The wine is available now in Chapel Hill. Thursday, as ordered, in Hillsborough.