Everything's Coming Up Rosé

As the weather gets warmer and patio seating reemerges from its winter hibernation, my thoughts automatically turn to a chilled glass of rosé.  It’s the French wine that gets no respect, or at least less than it should.  Bordeaux reds and Burgundy whites get all the glory, while rosés are relegated to second-class citizen status.  Why?

A fruity rosé is the perfect wine for l’apéritif, that very French tradition of drinks and light snacks before dinner.  It’s also the perfect warm weather wine: cool and refreshing.  A glass of rosé makes me feel like I’ve been transported to Provence.  Instead of looking at the trees out my kitchen window I’m gazing at fields of lavender or sunflowers.  At other times it invokes the Côte d’Azur, with its seaside restaurants, glowing sunsets, and perma-vacation atmosphere.

Any wine that can do that is a wine worth drinking.  Often.