There’s no reason that the end of summer means the end of the rosé wine season. In France, a sophisticated array of rosé wines and champagnes are enjoyed year-round. Whether you prefer your pinks light and fresh or sumptuous and bursting with fruits, you’ll want to keep your wine cellar stocked with these coveted bottles (including two of our favorite reds and whites to make sure everyone is happy).
Lallier Rosé brightens any aperitif moment with a twist on classic rosé Champagne, rounded with vivid freshness and a delicate but intense taste. Lallier is crafted from Pinot Noir grapes originating from Montagne de Reims (Verzenay, Verzy, Bouzy et Ambonnay) with a hint of Chardonnay from Côte des Blancs. It’s then blended with 7% of still red wine originating from the Bouzy Grand Cru, a rare and elusive terroir in the northernmost part of the region, bringing an inimitable color, fruitiness and structure to the blend.
Langlois Crémant de Loire Brut Rosé NV
Langlois has a rich history as the owner and manager of 175 acres of the best AOC vineyards in the Loire Valley. For their Crémants they have an intensely terroir-focused approach of drawing the best characteristics from 6 distinct vineyard areas and soil types in order to create complex and refined wines. Over 60% of their production is devoted to their world class Crémants but their Sancerres are also highly regarded as benchmarks for the appellation. Crémant de Loire Brut Rosé NV is a blend of 70% Cabernet Franc and 30% Pinot Noir, aged with the same attention to detail as the winery’s best Champagne, with only the first pressed (“cuvée”) juice used and 18 months aging on the lees to preserve freshness and color.
E.Guigal Côtes du Rhône Rosé 2023
The Guigal family has made serious dry rosé wines in the Rhône Valley since the 1940s, and their Côtes du Rhône Rosé, like all their Côtes du Rhône wines, is humble in name only. The wine bursts with irresistible fresh red fruits and yet is also serious and satisfying. While this Rosé is always a lovely aperitif, its intensity and richness make it perfect for the table, and it pairs well with all manner of cuisines. And starting with the 2020 vintage, the wine has a stunning new proprietary bottle: a subtle enhancement for an already elegant wine.
Founded in 1489, Château d’Estoublon covers 750 acres and is one of the most remarkable and exclusive estates in France. Roseblood Rosé stands as Château d’Estoublon’s flagship cuvée, meticulously crafted to showcase elegance and subtle complexity. Under the guidance of Technical Director Victor Joyeux, this harmonious blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Rolle is sourced from Coteaux Varois en Provence vineyards at elevations of 1,100-1,600 feet. This 2023 vintage exhibits a delightfully aromatic expression with interplay of acidity and freshness.
REDS
E. Guigal Crozes-Hermitage 2016
Crozes-Hermitage brings you into the Northern Rhône Valley, where the red wines have an irresistible combination of warm flavors of red and black fruit, and exotic spice notes. Most Crozes-Hermitage wines tend to be straightforward, but Guigal’s approach is to make a more serious Crozes that also has vigor, intensity and depth. 2020 is another excellent vintage for the Rhône Valley, creating wines that are rich, balanced, and expressive. A dry spring was followed by a moderate summer featuring, this time without the extreme heat spikes of 2019. Harvest occurred early – particularly for whites and Rosés – but the weather was even and temperate throughout. The Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre grapes were ripe and concentrated with superb natural acidity.
E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône Rouge 2020
The Guigal family owns some of the most hallowed vineyards in the Rhône Valley and makes some of the most sought-after wines in the world. Yet you are undoubtedly more likely to spend time with them speaking about their Côtes du Rhône Rouge. 2020 is another excellent vintage for the Rhône Valley, creating wines that are rich, balanced, and expressive. A dry spring was followed by a moderate summer featuring, this time without the extreme heat spikes of 2019. Harvest occurred early – particularly for whites and Rosés – but the weather was even and temperate throughout. The Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre grapes were ripe and concentrated with superb natural acidity.
WHITES
William Fèvre Chablis Domaine 2022
Starting with a modest seven-hectare plot in 1959, William Fèvre today is not only one of the most influential landowners in Chablis — possessing an impressive 70 hectares of vineyards (all vinified separately) — they also indisputably have the greatest holdings, including 15.9 hectares classified as Premiers Crus and 15.2 as Grand Crus. The vineyards boast an impressive average vine age ranging from 30 to 60 years and have been farmed organically since 2000. This 100% Chardonnay wine is made exclusively from William Fèvre’s organic estate vineyards, with many of the parcels lying adjacent to Premier Cru sites. An attractive, fresh, and classically mineral Chablis.
Domaine Hubert Brochard Sancerre Blanc 2023
Since its creation in 1900, Domaine Hubert Brochard has been committed to producing wines representative of the diversity of the Sancerre terroirs. This 100% Sauvignon Blanc comes mostly from Loire Valley vineyards in seven villages, with the three famous Sancerre Terroirs: Chalk, flint, and Caillotes. A warm, dry summer in the Central Loire with timely September rain in 2023 resulted in grapes reaching full ripeness and textbook alcohol levels. Vinification took place for six months in stainless steel tanks with controlled temperature in order to keep all the fine aromas of Sauvignon. A perfect expression of an ideal Sancerre.
