The CWB Languedoc Rosé-Off

Three rosés from reliable and innovative Languedoc producer Foncalieu

Languedoc's Foncalieu is a southern French co-operative making characterful wines in handsome bottles.

I have been a fan of their wines for a long time; they are always well-made and expressive but sophisticated.

With southern warmth, nuance and attention to detail, these are crowd-pleasing wines in the best sense; you can serve them to a wide range of people and be confident that everyone will enjoy them.

These three rosés are better value than anything you will get from next-door Provence and while they are all good on their own merits, the niche Piquepoul Noir gets a special mention for being an extremely rare grape variety that will give you extra bragging rights at the dinner table.

Le Versant Grenache Rosé, 2021 (£12, independents)

soft red fruits, delicate florality and orange blossom; red fruits, citrus, zippy lime pith and saline minerality with good underpinnings; dense, linear, concentrated and precise.

Good.

A versatile food wine, match with picnics, mezze or tapas.

Piquepoul Noir Rosé, 2021 (£11 - £15, Fine Wine Direct)

delicate red fruits; dense and concentrated with good, savoury underpinnings; citrus, lime pith, red fruits and creamy-leesy-oatmealy almond and brazil nut.

Good.

Demands food; match with seafood, quiche, tapas, antipasti or mezze.

Domaine Haut Gléon, Vallée Du Paradis, 2021 (£16.95)

lime, honeysuckle, mint and rubbed sage with citrussy, grapefruit freshness; taut, linear acidity with redcurrant fruit and saline minerality; very focused, textured and precise. 

Good.

Match with Mediterranean starters: bread with olive oil. anchovies and tapenade.