Chateau de Berne Provence Rose 2016

From - Provence, France
Grape - Grenache, Cinsault
Alcohol - 13% abv
Available from - Waitrose, Majestic
Price - £10.49 - £11.99 (currently £8.39 at Waitrose until 8 August)

Appearance - Clear, medium- intensity, pink

Nose - Clean, medium intensity, red fruit (raspberry), floral, youthful.

Palate - Dry, high acid, medium+ alcohol, medium+ body, medium+ length, medium intensity.  Red fruit flavour of raspberry and cherry, stone fruit flavour of peach.

Very good quality. Drink now.

This is a fine example of Provence rose, at a great price.  If you are a fan of Provence rose, as all right-thinking people are, then this is for you.  Chill it, but allow it a little time after it comes out of the fridge, to allow the subtlety of the flavour to express itself.  I would pour this out as an aperitif, or serve it with lighter foods, or lightly spiced snacks (nuts, bhajis etc). 

Whispering Angel Rose 2014

From - Provence, France
Grape - Blend of Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault, Vermentino
Alcohol - 13%
Available from - Waitrose
Price -£16.99

Appearance - This wine is clean, with a pale, pink appearance.

Nose - The nose is clean with a youthful, medium- intensity aroma of grapefruit, raspberry and cranberry.

Palate - The palate is dry with medium intensity, high acid long length, medium+ alcohol, medium body.  The flavours reflect the aroma with maybe a touch of green apple.

I am drinking this as it was recommended to me.  A typically classy, elegant and food-friendly wine from Provence, who do rose so well.  It ain't cheap, but it's beautiful.

Calvet Sancerre Rose 2014

From - Sancerre, Loire, France
Grape - Pinot Noir
Alcohol - 12.5% abv
Available from - Waitrose, Ocado
Price - £15.99

Appearance - The appearance is clear, pink with medium intensity.

Nose - The nose is clean and youthful, with medium intensity aromas of ripe strawberries and raspberries.

Palate - The palate is dry, with high acidity, medium alcohol, medium- intensity and long length.  It has flavours of red fruit, raspberries and strawberries, and maybe a touch of cherry.

As you might imagine, a lovely wine.  With a subtle aroma of ripe red fruit, the palate seems slightly more tart at first, and therefore reminiscent of raspberries, but the ripe red fruit from the Pinot Noir comes through on a surprising length, in view of the subtlety of flavour.  This is a great option for a warm afternoon or evening.  I would not imagine that this would be suitable for ageing, but it is a classy and highly satisfying 'drink now' wine.

Esprit de Buganay Rose 2012

From - Provence, France
Grape - Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol - 12.5%
From - Waitrose, Ocado
Price - £10.49

Appearance - Clear; medium- intensity; salmon

Nose - Clean; medium intensity; strawberry

Palate - Dry; medium to medium+ acid; a touch of tannin; medium intensity; medium length; medium alcohol; strawberry, raspberry, cherry.

Balance - 8 Length - 6  Intensity - 5 Complexity - 5

A typically restrained and elegant Provence rose, with an interesting blend of grapes.  I was recommended to try this wine by the owner of a Brasserie in Colchester and it is, as he promised, very pleasant.  It would be great on a summer's day, for a picnic or before a meal.