Summer rosé!

What you might not know is that although Bordeaux remains famous for its red wines, it also produces great rosé wines.The main rosé style, which is produced in the Bordeaux region, is fresh & fruity. It is a light pink rosé, with fruity aromas of redcurrant, pink grapefruit and strawberries, which tastes best when paired with light main courses such as tapas, vegetable tarts, grilled meats or cheeses. These wines are produced from the Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot grapes.

The juice is then vinified at a low temperature, in the same way as Bordeaux white wine. Finally, as with all Bordeaux styles, the wines obtained from the different grape varieties are then blended before bottling – revealing the true style and personality of each winemaker, the process, called assemblage in French is an important characteristic of the Bordeaux winemaking region. Find a bottle of Bordeaux rosé priced between £6-10 here.

Tapas & bruschetta, find the recipe here.

Crispy Fish Tacos with Jalapeño Sauce, find the recipe here.

Bordeaux’s other rosé is called Clairet. A Clairet is a fuller-bodied rosé, offering the light tannins of red wine, but with the freshness of rosé. With aromas of blackcurrant and strawberry, it’s a balanced and refreshing wine. This wine works well as an aperitif, a perfect match for carpaccio or tartare, but with enough body and flavour to sustain a more robust main course, such as grilled meat, and enough delicacy to be enjoyed with a light cake or a fruity dessert. Clairets are a great choice for casual dinner parties, but can stand up to even the most elegant occasions. Clairet was originally made famous in the 13th century, thanks to Eleanor of Aquitaine, who married Henry Plantagenet of England. The wine was exported to England in exchange for other goods. You can’t find Clairet in many places in the UK, but if you come across it, we urge you to try it!