It really is rosé weather now (or if it isn’t it should be) – sitting out on a sunny evening with friends enjoying some salty snack (my new favourite is chilli chickpeas made by coating chickpeas in a spicy marinade & baking them in the oven) with a glass of chilled Sancerre or Bandol is a lovely way to end the day.
At this time of year we’re spoiled for choice with delicious veg and can make these the focus of our cooking. A salad of French beans, grilled leeks and tapenade dressing has wonderful Provençal flavours which can be enhanced with a glass of Bellet or Cassis and a hunk of really good, crusty French bread.
Summer berries are now at their best. Good raspberries have a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness and work very well with chocolate either as a coulis accompanying a chocolate mousse, topping a chocolate cake or in a chocolate pavlova. Accompany these delightful deserts with a small glass of chilled Banyuls Réserva – perfection.
By: Pippa Goldfinger
