Château St Baillon Côtes de Provence Rosé 2020 Provence, France 75cl

Château St Baillon makes rosé in the Côtes de Provence, the appellation that sets the template for the pale, dry pink wines now enjoyed the world over. Provence is rosé heartland, its warm days and cooling coastal influence made for the style, and this bottle sits squarely in that tradition.

This is a dry Provençal rosé built for freshness and finesse rather than weight. It follows the regional house style closely: pale in colour, light on its feet and easy to drink, the sort of wine designed to refresh rather than to demand attention.

From the 2020 vintage, the wine offers the crisp, light-bodied character of a Provence pink made for early enjoyment. Rosé of this kind is at its best young and fresh, so it is a wine to open and share rather than to keep.

Expect a pale, delicate colour and gentle aromas of strawberry and redcurrant with a citrus lift. The palate is dry, light and refreshing, with bright acidity and a clean finish. Serve it thoroughly chilled, ideally from an ice bucket on a warm day, in a standard white wine glass.

If you love Provence rosé, this Côtes de Provence is a straightforward, dependable example of the style. It shines as an aperitif and partners salads, grilled fish, seafood and lighter Mediterranean dishes with ease. Fresh, pale and easy to like, it is a reliable choice for summer entertaining, a picnic hamper or an afternoon in the garden when you simply want something light, dry and thirst-quenching to share.