Wines of the week: Three Southern French rosés

You can’t judge a book by its cover or even a wine by its bottle… unless they are gorgeously-designed rosés from the South of France, just right for late-summer drinking.

From an ancient ‘Cru Classe’ vineyard in the heart of Provence, an utterly sublime blend of Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah, a lovely pale pink colour that conceals knock out flavours of grapefruit, tangerine, herbs and a touch of spice. Ideal for Bouillabaisse or other tomato-based fish and vegetable dishes.

£11.95 winepoole.co.uk; £9.99 strictlywine.co.uk (minimum order six bottles)

A terrific combination of Provençal wine and English styling. Chase, the Herefordshire farmer who launched Tyrrells crisps and Chase Vodka – the origin of the square-shouldered bottle – has expanded into wine with a chateau near Lourmarin (made famous by another Englishman, writer Peter Mayle) creating a classic Grenache-based ‘pink.’ As elegant as its bottle, perfect for all fish dishes.

£12.49 houseoftownend.com; £12.95 slurp.co.uk (2014)

Planning a barbecue or picnic this Bank Holiday weekend? Look no further than this well-priced wine from the Languedoc, although very similar to most Provençal rosés: delicate, pale pink, a Grenache-based blend delivering the familiar mix of red fruits, herbs and spices in an attractive bottle that make these wines so appealing. Grilled mackerel, sardines or chicken, tapas or just a bowl of pasta in the garden.

£7.99 (or £6.99 as part of mixed six bottle purchase) Majestic.co.uk