Wines of the week: Three French sparkling pinks that are perfect for summer parties

As the warm weather approaches, Terry Kirby looks across the Channel for inspiration

From Champagne

Gremillet Rose d’Assemblage Brut

Made in the Aude valley by Gremillet, a small family owned estate, which like many in Champagne once just grew grapes for the major producers. But they have been selling under their own name since 1979 and this gorgeous, summery rosé, lovingly crafted from pinot noir grapes is terrific value. Plump, red berry flavours, a touch of toast and yeast. Lovely with canapés and for celebrations.

£24.00 winetrust100.co.uk

From the Loire

Lacheteau Cremant Brut Rosé

The Loire is France’s second biggest sparkling region and crémant denotes that the wines are made using the traditional méthode champenoise of secondary bottle fermentation. Here cabernet franc – mostly found giving levity to Bordeaux blends – is used for sparkling rosé and red wines, which gives real depth and length to this bottle from the Vouvray area. While this is also perfect as an aperitif, try it with shellfish starters.

£14.99 ocado.com

From the south

Beaumonde Rose Vin Mousseux 2015

Made in the style of a sparkling Provencal rosé, but from grenache grapes grown near the port of Sète, further south on the French Mediterranean coast. This is an accessible, fun bottle, packed with crisp summer berry fruit flavours and a hint of herbs that is perfectly suited to parties and gatherings as well as tomato-based fish dishes.

£13.49 laithwaites.co.uk