Michel and Alain Buthion
Credit: Shannon Cornman

Rosé is an excellent choice for the summer because it’s chilled and lighter, while still offering the complexity that red-wine drinkers crave.

La Baguette Bistro, 7408 N. May, adds a selection of rosés every summer. Last year, co-owner Michel Buthion put six rosés by the glass on his summer menu. This year, it’s eight, including one of French wines’ lightest: Bieler Pere et Fils Rosé.

The Bieler is a blend of Syrah, Grenache, Cabernet and Cinsault. Its Provence property provides this delicate, dry and refreshing rosé.

One of the more unique rosés is available by the glass at Ludivine, 805 N. Hudson: the Espelt Corali from Catalonia, Spain. The Corali is
wellbalanced and fruity, with prominent red berry flavors. Find it at
Byron’s, 2322 N. Broadway, for under $15.

Crios has become a familiar name in Oklahoma, and this year’s Crios Rosé of Malbec is exactly what we have come to expect: straightforward, delicious and affordable. The rosé is full of red fruit flavors, especially strawberry and Bing cherry.

Some of the world’s best rosés emerge from the Garrigue scrubland near the Mediterranean coast. The limestone, juniper, lavender and thyme that characterize these regions show up in wines from France’s south coast.

Chateau St. Martin de la Garrigue is a blend of Cinsault, Syrah and Grenache. It presents herbal notes and minerality, but displays remarkable red fruit in a clean, dry, food-friendly rosé. It’s available by the glass at Lobby Bar, 4318 N. Western, and Cafe 7, 14101 N. May.

Domaine Lafage Parfum de Vignes has the same Garrigue characteristics, but with noticeably more floral components. What’s most surprising is the burst of orange zest and citrus. The citrus tones down the floral notes, making
this a balanced and delicious food wine. It’s available by the glass at
La Baguette and on the shelf at Byron’s.

Finally, every once in a while wine lovers need to splurge. Many of the French rosés can run more than $20, which seems steep ... until you have one taste of Chinon.

If you’re willing to spend a little more than $30, however, Domaine de Terrebrune from France’s Bandol region is simply one of the world’s finest rosés.

Surprisingly light, it still manages to deliver amazing red fruit, herbal notes, minerality and a super-clean finish. It’s available at Broadway Wine Merchants, 824 N. Broadway.

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