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Nothing says summer like BC Rosé

Rosé, long the darling of Provence, has become an international star and North America's must drink summer wine. BC winemakers have embraced rosé and sales are sky-rocketing.

Rosé, long the darling of Provence, has become an international star and North America's must drink summer wine. BC winemakers have embraced rosé and sales are sky-rocketing.

Elegant rosé wines are not to be confused with the overly sweet and often terrible "Blush" and "White Zinfandel" wines that dominated North America in the 70's and 80's. Today's rosé wines are made using red grape varietals in either the maceration method where the skins  are allowed contact for a short time or the saginée method where during the making of a red wine, a small portion is bled off and fermented into rosé.

From wine connoisseurs to Hollywood celebrities, pink Rosés are definitely in vogue. New York's summer playground for the rich and beautiful, the Hampton's, declared a rosé shortage in both 2014 and 2015. Hollywood golden couple, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie released their first wine in 2013, a rosé made at their French estate which sold out in six hours. Provence Rosé-Jolie Pitt & Perrin Miraval now comes with an engraved hallmark set into the foot of the bottle to protect against fraud. (For fans, the 2015 vintage is available at B.C. Liquor Stores for $28.99.)  Sofia Rosé, from the famed Francis Ford Coppola Winery is currently one of the best selling domestic wines in the United States and Drew Barrymore unveiled her new Monterey Rosé of Pinot Noir at the upscale 2016 Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival.

Rosé is fun, unpretentious and affordable. Even wine snobs can't resist the charms of a chilled glass of rosé in the heat waves of summer. Always pretty in shades of pink, Rosé can go from a day on the beach to a chic restaurant patio with ease and style. Is it any wonder why this versatile summer sipper that pairs with almost any food is the season's "it wine"?  Nothing says summer like a glass of chilled rosé.

Here are seven must drink BC Rosés to celebrate summer.

7032539 Quails’ Gate 2015 Rosé

(Okanagan Valley; $16.49, B.C. Liquor Stores)

A blend of Gamay Noir (80%), Pinot Noir (10%) and Pinot Gris (10%).

"Aromas of fresh mixed red berries, exotic melon and nuances of black pepper. On the palate this refreshing Rosé is alive with bright flavors of strawberries, raspberries and cranberries."

OS_Rose_NV (2) Tinhorn Creek Oldfield Series 2015 Rosé

(Okanagan Valley; $19.99 winery direct.)

100% Cabernet Franc.

"Aromas of blood orange, fresh strawberry, with hints of vanilla and red flowers. Palate is watermelon, citrus, and strawberries with the tartness of crab apples. Will develop a more herbal, anise edge over the summer."

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 Bench 1775 2015 Glow Rosé

(Okanagan Valley; $19.90 winery direct)

A blend of  Malbec (75%), Cabernet Sauvignon (10.5%),  Syrah (9.3%), and Cabernet Franc (5.2)

"Copper-hued, this Malbec based rosé has lambert cherry overlayed with dried thyme and Meyer lemon zest."

 Culmina_saignee_NV6 (2)Culmina 2015 Saignée

(Okanagan Valley; $22.00, winery direct.)

A blend of Merlot (42%), Cabernet Sauvignon (28%), Cabernet Franc (21%) and Malbec (9%).

"Aromas of wild strawberry, blood orange and herbes de Provenance. Rich and intense, the palate has a balanced round acidity with flavours of ripe raspberry and rosehip."

Winemaker-RoseNK'Mip Cellars 2015 Rosé

(Okanagan Valley; $17.00 B.C .Liquor Stores.)

A blend of Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc.

"A bright refreshing wine that displays field strawberry on the nose leading to a crisp palate of rhubarb and pink grapefruit."

LVP-Vaila-2015-Bottle-web Le Vieux Pin 2015 Vaïla Rosé

(Okanagan Valley; $21.99 winery direct)

100% Pinot Noir.

"Wild raspberry, rose thorns, tight strawberry and fine salts ring through the streaming medium bodied and concentrated palate, finishing with salts and a salami note"

2015RoseforWebsite Unsworth Vineyards 2015 Pinot Noir Rosé

(Vancouver Island; $20.00 winery direct)

100% Pinot Noir.

"Vibrant red fruit notes of strawberries, cranberries and light herbal overtones, followed by classic minerality on the palate."