2002 Mas de Gourgonnier Rose

In this weather, you can never have too many bottles of chilled rose on hand. I’ve always loved the reds of Mas de Gourgonnier, but this year the rose caught my attention. Most roses are pretty, but forgettable. Not this one. It has more weight and spunk. Scented with rose petals and a touch of French oak, its bright raspberry fruit comes shining through each glass.

Also worth noting: The Cartier family doesn’t treat their vineyards with chemical fertilizers, weedkillers or artificial insecticides. It’s all natural.

Break out a bottle at twilight, preferably outdoors, and bring on the summer food -- a grand aioli, fragrant vegetable soup, fish soup, grilled fish, ratatouille. Mas de Gourgonnier rose will easily carry everything from Provencal dishes and bold Mediterranean flavors to California eclectic.

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Quick swirl

Region: Provence, France

Price: About $13

Style: Dry and graceful

Food it goes with: Aioli, fish soup, grilled fish, summer vegetable dishes

Where you find it: Beverage Warehouse in Marina del Rey, (310) 306-2822; Larchmont Village Wine & Cheese in Los Angeles, (323) 856-8699; Red Carpet in Glendale, (818) 247-5544; Wine Country in Long Beach, (562) 597-8303; Woodland Hills Wine Co. in Woodland Hills (818) 222-1111.

--S. Irene Virbila