Today we have a new article from Twickenham wine expert Lisa Johnston, with her top rosé recommendations that can all be found in Twickenham just in time for this weekend's heatwave!

It should be said that rosé is a superb choice of wine all year round. It should never be relegated to just the warmer months – or weekends.

Not just because the evocativeness of a glass of rosé brings forth great memories of summers past, or plans for the future. Rosé wines are incredibly versatile, both in occasion and in food matching.

Plus, they are by nature refreshing - whether your preference is for dry, off dry or sweeter styles. Not forgetting, of course, those with bubbles!

It is easy to see why they are so popular when they go so well with outdoor dining. Eating outdoors in the summer sunshine requires wines to be chilled, at least lightly, to be at their best drinking. This makes rosé wine an excellent fit. Particularly, with their lighter fruit weight and flavours, neatly wrapped in crisp and refreshing acid.

It goes without saying that lately it seems there is always a rosé from southern France on offer. The Southern coastal regions of France seem to have made it their goal to make the connection between pale dry rosé and summer.

However, there is still plenty of choice from other regions around the world. And plenty that have something unique to offer. Here are a few to start you off with …

Not the usual grape varieties…

Cuvee Jean Paul Gascogne rosé - This is a remarkable rosé for the price hailing from France's South West corner. Mid salmon in colour, it is a well made, dry blend of Tannat, Cabernet franc and Merlot. Juicy red fruit and floral perfume wafts from the glass. There is some lavender in there as well. All the evocative scents early summer.

What to drink with it? It is a good match for a French-inspired salad, or some appetisers while sitting around enjoying the company of friends. Or an easy choice as a 'glass after work'.

Where to buy it: Premier Wine, Strawberry Hill (£8)

Including white grape varieties…

Muga Rioja Rosado - Spain makes some excellent rosado wines. This is a typical rosado Rioja blend of Garnacha and Tempranillo with some Viura added. Viura is Rioja's premiere white grape.

This wine is more delicate in colour than the first rosé, and tastes like fresh strawberries and cream with some spice. It is dry, medium bodied and has a fresh line of acid. All this combined with that silkiness makes it a rather irresistible drop.

What to drink it with? Don't just stick with drinking this for lunch, this is a great match for tuna or salmon or prawns. It is also a great match for tapas.

Where to buy it: Majestic Twickenham (£13)

A bigger bolder style…

Charles Melton Rose of Virginia - The 'Rose of Virginia' is one of Australia's benchmark rosés for its type. With its deep colour, this dry style rosé is also full of flavour and texture. The flavours are just as intense as the colour. Perfumed and spicy raspberry and cherry take on an almost citrus appeal in its intensity. All this is underlined with refreshing acid detail. It is also a remarkable wine to cellar for a few years.

What to drink it with? This is a stylish rosé that is made for lush, fruity enjoyment, and it is an excellent match with food - whether at a BBQ or restaurant. Try it with a herb and spice crusted chicken, or some Thai fish cakes with sweet chilli dipping sauce.

Where to buy it: Independent wine stores and online (£21)

Taste with Lisa

Lisa Johnston is now running Winemusing Sessions, masterclasses followed by delicious tasting plates at TW2 The Green. The first evening will be Exploring Mediterranean wines on 18th August, 2021. Please visit the winemusing website for more information and to add your mail to the mailing list for future events. And visit winemusing.com for more great wine suggestions…. whatever the weather.

About Lisa Johnston:

Lisa is a passionate wine communicator, teaching a variety of wine courses and writing for winemusing.com and other publications. She believes that wine should be fun, sometimes contemplative and never intimidating.

A firm believer that the wine experience is one that should be shared, she teaches not only wine lovers online but those in the local Twickenham area as well. She also teaches WSET courses to those within the wine trade as well.

Via winemusing.com she celebrates the best wines, winemakers and wine experiences from Australia to London and beyond. Thanks to the ever changing nature of wine, in the vineyard, in the bottle and in the glass – this may take a very very long time.