Take two wines
Laurent Miquel Cinsaut Syrah Rosé 2009
Not from Provençe, but nearby Languedoc. Laurent Miquel upped the amount of the grape Cinsaut to 70pc in this rosé to give it extra crispness, balanced with a ripe red fruitiness from its blending partner Syrah to give a delicious taste of the south of France, with a sprightly finish. 12.5pc alc.
Enjoy as an aperitif or with roast chicken, salads or light spicy foods. €6.99 (current offer price) Available from Dunnes Stores.
Château Minuty M Rosé 2009
An irresistible wine in an irresistible bottle. A new arrival in Ireland from a premium Provençe producer. So delicate, but with a steely backbone underpinning delightful floral nuances, concentrated red-berry flavours and a gentle spice from a blend of spicy Grenache, crispy Cinsaut and the quintessential Provençal variety, Tibouren.
A wine of great finesse. 13pc alc. €18.95 Available from Cellarmaster, Stillorgan Industrial Park; Wicklow Wine Company; Corkscrew, Chatham Street; www.rosewine.ie.
SOMETHING ELSE I ENJOYED...
Luis Felipe Edwards Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
From Chile, a worthy winner of the under-€8 New World Red in the National Off-licence Association (NOFFLA) recent awards. Avoiding the jamminess often found at this price, it is structured but supple, with rich, dark-berry and cassis flavours mingled with hints of smoke, making it a good everyday drinker with plenty of aftertaste. €6.99 Widely available in independent off-licences
