John Wilson: Two light, summery bottles from Dunnes Stores, each with 20% off

Wines for the Weekend: A rosé from the reinventor of this style, plus a well-made but inexpensive Pinot Noir

Wines for the Weekend by John Wilson

This week, two light, summery bottles from Dunnes Stores, which is offering 20 per cent off all wines until Monday, August 1st.

Born in Bordeaux — where his father owned a prestigious estate — and educated in the United States, Sacha Lichine is the man who reinvented rosé with Château d’Esclans and Whispering Angel. Through these he created a new, incredibly successful wine category, in Provence rosé, and reignited a love of rosé worldwide. This wine is from the Var region of Provence and was bottled by Caves d’Esclans.

Germany is the world’s second-largest producer of Pinot Noir. We don’t see much of it here in Ireland, possibly because it tends to be quite expensive. This wine is part of a range of well-made, inexpensive German wines exclusive to Dunnes Stores. At less than €10, it is definitely worth giving a whirl.

The Pale Rosé by Sacha Lichine 2021, Vin de Pays du Var, France, €12.80 (down from €16)

Perfumed, with crisp fresh redcurrant and raspberry fruits, finishing dry, this is a lovely summer sipper, or enjoy with salade niçoise and other mixed salads.

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Pinot Noir 2019 Terra Quartär Pflaz Trocken, Germany, €9.20 (down from €11.50)

This is a perfect summer red: light and juicy with delicate refreshing raspberry and red-cherry fruits, and a tannin-free finish. Serve cool, maybe chilled on a hot day, with seared salmon, tuna, mushroom dishes and charcuterie.