But the new rose consumer apparently drinks pink throughout the year. Red wine on its own can be a bit too tannic and alcoholic, white wine too acidic; rose is a handy half-way house. David Whelehan, wine buyer with O'Briens, sees a growing demand. "We stock six roses, all fairly dry, and see it becoming more fashionable. At O'Briens we will have one on promotion every month throughout the summer."

This week I will concentrate on European roses. There are two basic styles. The traditional, found in the south of France, Provence and the Rhone in particular were, and in some cases still are, almost red wines in size and stature; full-bodied, powerful wines with 14% alcohol or more, and plenty of warming fruit. Even served cold, they are quite a few godd ones to chose from.

Petit Bourgeois Pinot Noir Rose, Vin de pays du Jardin de la France 2006

Description As light as can be with wispy delicate fresh raspberry and redcurrant fruits, and a fine dry finish. Perfect summer drinking.

Available from 10.99 in O'Briens Wine Off-Licences for the month of May

Drink with Ideally by itself but also with lighter summer salads

11.2/20

Domaine Clavel 'Mescladis' 2006, Coteaux du Languedoc

Description A fuller style, but really enjoyable, with rich ripe strawberries and plums and a herby touch. It is so much better with food too . . . drink alfresco on a summer's day.

Available from 10.40 exclusively from Wines Direct, Mullingar www. winesdirect. ie, 1890 57 95 79.

Drink with A slice of toasted sourdough, topped with chopped cherry tomatoes, a glug of olive oil and a sprinkle of maldon salt.

Petit Bourgeois Pinot Noir Rose, Vin de pays du Jardin de la France 2006

Description As light as can be with wispy delicate fresh raspberry and redcurrant fruits, and a fine dry finish. Perfect summer drinking.

Available from 10.99 in O'Briens Wine Off-Licences for the month of May DDrink with Ideally by itself but also with lighter summer salads

11.2/20

Domaine Clavel 'Mescladis' 2006, Coteaux du Languedoc

Description A fuller style, but really enjoyable, with rich ripe strawberries and plums and a herby touch. It is so much better with food too . . . drink alfresco on a summer's day.

Available from 10.40 exclusively from Wines Direct, Mullingar www. winesdirect. ie, 1890 57 95 79.

Drink with A slice of toasted sourdough, topped with chopped cherry tomatoes, a glug of olive oil and a sprinkle of maldon salt.

Petit Bourgeois Pinot Noir Rose, Vin de pays du Jardin de la France 2006

Description As light as can be with wispy delicate fresh raspberry and redcurrant fruits, and a fine dry finish. Perfect summer drinking.

Available from 10.99 in O'Briens Wine Off-Licences for the month of May

Drink with Ideally by itself but also with lighter summer salads

11.2/20

Domaine Clavel 'Mescladis' 2006, Coteaux du Languedoc Description

A fuller style, but really enjoyable, with rich ripe strawberries and plums and a herby touch. It is so much better with food too . . . drink alfresco on a summer's day.

Available from 10.40 exclusively from Wines Direct, Mullingar www. winesdirect. ie, 1890 57 95 79.

Drink with A slice of toasted sourdough, topped with chopped cherry tomatoes, a glug of olive oil and a sprinkle of maldon salt.

Didier Desvignes Beaujolais Villages Rose 2006

DescriptionMedium-bodied, with mouth-watering but elegant strawberry fruits, and a fine, bone-dry finish. A lovely wine with real character.

Available from 13.49 exclusively from Country Choice, Nenagh.

Drink with: Go the whole hog and buy a plate of local cheese from the excellent cheese counter; A mild, creamy St Tola would be perfect, but Baylough cheddar or Mosfield Organic Gouda would do very nicely too.

11.3/20

Guerrieri Rizzardi Rosa Rosae 2006, Roato Veronese, Italy DDescription A captivating rose, one of the most charming wines you could try, with its gorgeous smooth ripe cherry fruits, and rounded elegant texture. Summer in a glass.

Available from 12.49 from O'Briens Wine Off-Licences

Drink with Sip as an aperitif whilst waiting for the barbeque coals to die down.

11.4/20