Billecart-Salmon Rosé Champagne 2009

Provence's rosés have long been popular with the many tourists who flock to the region every year. Yet they offer much more than a holiday tipple. They can have real elegance and complex fruit, too. That's perhaps not surprising as Provence has an ideal climate for this refreshing style, with around twice as much sunshine a year as London - yet relatively moderate temperatures, even in the height of summer. This delightful pink is from a small domaine in the Côte d'Azur. Its vineyards are surrounded by wooded hillsides and have a south facing aspect with excellent, well drained soils to help the concentration of the fruit. Rounded with a savoury, subtle fruitiness, it's spot on with poached salmon, salt and pepper squid or a spicy stir-fry.