2005 Domaine Tempier Bandol rose

If you’re intent on winning over your rose-phobic friends, better make it the best: a Bandol from Domaine Tempier. Chez Panisse in Berkeley has been pouring the Bandol rose by the glass for practically forever, with good reason.

Tempier rose is tremendously food friendly. The color is a lovely coppery rose. It’s scented with rose petals and wild strawberries, and yet when you take a sip, it’s bone dry and perfectly gorgeous. The vintage in current release -- 2005 -- is a splendid year for roses in southern France, and Domaine Tempier has produced what may be its best ever.

It makes a fine aperitif and can go straight to the table to accompany crudites, tapenade, salade nicoise, grilled fish, light pasta dishes, etc. The Peyraud family who owns Domaine Tempier pours it lavishly with Lulu Peyraud’s justly famous bouillabaisse.

An absolutely beautiful wine.

-- S. Irene Virbila

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Quick swirl

Region: Provence

Price: About $26

Style: Dry and fragrant

Food it goes with: Crudites, tapenade, salade nicoise, grilled fish, pasta dishes, bouillabaisse.

Where you find it: Available at fine wine retailers.