Is Provençal rosé the vinous equivalent of bottled sunshine? Is it the what's what of pink wines? Is it the cool, crisp compelling verre de vin rosé at the end of the rainbow? Yeah, probably so! Domaine Houchart Côtes de Provence Rosé is among our favorite of the Provençal rosé wines each year. Fresh, bright, vivid with a gentle intensity of chalky berry flavor just bursting forth and a refreshingness that is just, ahhhhh …  Thank heaven for sunshine! Thank heaven for Provençal rosé!

60% Grenache, 30% Cinsault and 10% Syrah fruit from vines on average 30 years old and planted to the clay and limestone soils of the Mont Saint-Victoire at elevations of around 250 mètres. Alluring delicate sunset pink in color with what the Famille Sumeire call «peach reflections» and aromas of «fresh violet and wild strawberries»; back here in Austin, Andrea noted taut red berry fruits, Brian noted peach, Henry recalled the salted watermelon of his more recent youth and a medley of herbes de Provence, Lucinda noted a certain tanginess and our winebuyer (who tends to use more words) noted a palpably delicious equilibrium and vivid mouthwatering quality with gentle but lasting intensity of flavor on the finish. All in all, we all found this to be another winner from (perhaps?) our favorite source for pink wine - oui - c'est la Provence.

A blend of hand-harvested Grenache and Cinsault fruit from vines planted at elevations of 350 to 500 metres to the clay and chalky limestone soils of Coteaux Varois en Provence. The climate here is decidedly Mediterranean, and the hot summer days are counter-balanced with cool nighttime temperatures, this diurnal shift so very important for high-quality winegrowing. Light Provençal pink in color; fine, pulverized stony, berry aromas; the wine is vibrant and alive on the tongue, if supple in texture, then mineral and mouthwatering and long on flavor and impact, too. In our humble estimation, this is among the finest quality of Provençal rosé wines available for the money.

M de Minuty is produce of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah fruit, hand-harvested and brought directly to the winery and to press, protected by carbonic gas to preserve every ounce of Provençal freshness and flavor in the process; light Provençal platinum to copper pink in color with ultra-fresh aromas suggestive of mineral, fresh cool melon, peach, fraises des bois and the nearby salt (Mediterranean) sea; crisp and mineral on the palate, too, with a tart berry fruit quality that is completely, utterly, wholly refreshing; then, fully dry yet tactile on the finish leaving the mouth just watering away and waiting for more.

The first vineyards at Domaine de Fontsainte, in the Corbières appellation, were planted by the Romans. Artifacts found in these vineyards such as an old coin dating from the time of Marcus Agrippa in 25 A.D. are a testament to its antiquity. The original domaine was built around a thermal spring, which was later named for the local, twelfth-century patron saint, Saint Siméon; hence Fontsainte — the saint's fount. Yves Laboucarié’s family has been making wine here since the seventeenth century. The Fontsainte vineyards surround the hamlet of Boutenac in the area known as «The Golden Crescent». This swath of land is one of the sunniest in the appellation of Corbières, enjoying south/southeast exposures, and protection from the cold, northeast winds by a large 500-hectare forest. The cool sea breezes from the Mediterranean help this sun-soaked terroir achieve balance as well. Their Gris de Gris rosé has been an important part of our rosé offerings here for years now. Produce of 90% Grenache Gris, 5% Carignan and 5% Mourvèdre hand-harvested fruit planted to silica, clay and gravelly limestone soils with large galets (rounded stones). A portion of the juice destined for red wine production is drawn off while still only pink in color (this is known as the saignée method of rosé production). After a 24-hour débourbage or settling of the must, alcoholic fermentation takes place at cool temperatures for 35 days. Malolactic fermentation is blocked and the wine is allowed to rest for one month before bottling to preserve freshness and aromatic intensity: pale sunset orange copper pink in color with fresh powdery citrus and red berry aromas; very primary intense vivid berry flavors burst wildly on the tongue leaving the palate both stimulated and refreshed.

Produce of a preponderance of Grenache with a touch of Syrah; sunset orange to peach pink in color; ultra-fresh with that near-intoxicating aroma of red berries (Guiot themselves describe aromas of strawberries and raspberries reminiscent of "les bonbons anglais" — fitting, it's one of Lucinda's faves); ultra-refreshing, invigorating even on the tongue with vivid and mouthwatering berryish flavors that faithfully reprise those first oh so welcome whiffs. And, this is simply brilliant value in high quality south of France rosé.

Gamay — it's not just for Beaujolais, and Savoie, not just for skiing. Domaine de la Rosière brings the proof with this lively and fresh rosé from the commune of Jongieux, nestled in the southern French Alps. Pale pink in color with a silver rim; aromas are supple with red berries that, with a swirl, open into nectarine, lemon and crushed rock. It dances upon entry, showing more of its citrus and mineral character on the palate, and finishes with a purity and freshness one might attribute to its Alpine heritage. A crisp and quenching rosé, inherent with the après spirit and fully equipped for a Texas summer. - Andrea Moore

During the battle of the city of Vendôme in 1590, King Henri IV fell in love with the local wine here. A known bon vivant, he was nicknamed Le Vert Galant — let it suffice to say he was a bit of a ladies' man. The Coteaux du Vendômois vineyards lie in the Loir and Cher département in the Loire Valley to the northwest of Blois and west of Orléans. While this is a relatively new project for Famille Bourgeois of Sancerre, it is, in our estimation, already showing good result. Produce of Pineau d'Aunis, an ancient Loire Valley grape variety which, despite the name and except for the pine cone‑shaped clusters, is unrelated to Pinot Noir. Delicate and fresh in aroma with subtle hint of wild strawberry and cherry blossom; cool and crisp on the tongue with surprising intensity of flavor and a pleasingly tart, taut fruit character and flavor that lasts and refreshes.

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