The Rosé Effect

Nutfield Priory

The appearance of a glass of rosé wine often means the beginning of warmer weather and pure relaxation. On average 13% of Provence rosé wines are exported to the UK (the second largest market after the US). Hotel Byblos in Saint

Tropez and Terre Blanche in Provence, have launched exclusive partnerships with some of the most sought after vineyards in the south of France.

Hotel Byblos has announced its exclusive Domaine Ott Rosé Byblos, made from grapes grown in its own plot at

Domaine Ott. Known as the first premium rosé ever commercialised in the early 20th century and nicknamed ‘grandfather of

Provençal rosé’, Domaine Ott is synonymous with Hotel Byblos’ legendary and luxury reputation with refinement and know-how at the core of both, family-owned institutions.

Domaine Ott Rosé Byblos is exclusively available at Hotel Byblos at all restaurants and bars for €90 per bottle.

Terre Blanche offers ‘Provençal Pursuits’ experiences as well as ticketed events, the latest in partnership with nearby Château d’Esclans. Offering a host of renowned Provençal rosé options across the hotel including one of the world’s most sought-after rosé wines, Garrus, this is the perfect spot to truly immerse yourself in the world of rosé. As part of its ‘Provençal Pursuits’ experiences, the hotel can also organise a tour and tasting at the vineyard with an exclusive tour of the chapel, which only guests from Terre Blanche can visit.

THE ROS É EFFECT

As the UK enjoys a rare glimpse of the sun, the search for rosé begins. With past misconseptions about this distinctive wine category disappearing with education, we enjoy more and more access to some of the best options around. And they're not just from Provence.

Château Minuty Rosé et Or 2019, 750ml £31.99. Available at Selfridges.

This Faustino rosé offers a very affordable Spanish alternative to the classic French rosé with complex & intense with aromas of fresh fruit and flowers. The well-integrated acidity gives the rosé freshness with a very fruity finish and slight hints of strawberries and cream for summer in a glass.

Although if you have your heart set on a glass of something from Provence and don't want to break the bank, Lady A Rosé is the perfect choice. A classically pale and elegant rosé made at Château la Coste, Provence in partnership with Soho House and their Master Sommelier, Vincent Gasnier. The vineyard prides itself on honouring the area’s nature by practicing biodynamic principles and preserving the terroir and soil fertility. Lady A is made from the traditional rosé blend of Grenache and Cinsault, with notes of citrus, pink grapefruit, peach and raspberry.

For a classic French rosé that moves away from Provence, look no further than Le Météore. This pale, organic AOP Faugères rosé takes inspiration and direct influence from a meteorite strike ten thousand years ago on a hillside in Southern France. Today, Domaine du Météore’s vines grow within and around it’s crater. Dry and delicate, the nose is fresh with notes of pineapple, yuzu and pomelo and it is beautifully balanced on the palate, both tender and fresh.

Van Hunks MCC Sparkling Rosé brings a delicious and refreshing alternative to Provence Rosé and Champagnes from France. Van Hunks is a range of South African sparkling wine equivalents to Champagne from the viticultural paradise of Stellenbosch. Hand crafted using a traditional method identical to Méthode Champenoise, Van Hunks Rosé MCC is bottle fermented in small batches and matured in contact with the lees for approximately 30 months. The joyful Van Hunks Rosé MCC Sparkling Wine is a combination of Pinot Noir and the elegance of Chardonnay, with the addition of South Africa’s Pinotage, offering a rich and long flavourful finish.

Faustino VII Rosé, 750ml £7.00. Available nationwide. Lady A Rosé, 750ml £14.95. Available from 31DOVER.com Le Météore Rosé 2020 £15.50. Available from Domaine du Météore Van Hunks MCC Sparkling Rosé, 750ml £20.00. vanhunksdrinks.com

Ave Mario

Following on the popularity of their other locations Gloria and Circolo Popolare, Big Mamma Group have proudly opened their biggest location yet.

Located in the heart of Covent Garden, Ave Mario is the group's largest trattoria to date, sitting at 700 m2 with 295 seats set over three rooms and two large terraces.

Loud, colourful and fabulously different, the interiors are certainly the star of the show. The vast dining room is lit by colourful neon signs, high skylights, endless mirrors, plush red booths and green and white Duomo-striped walls. There's a 3,500 bottle wall at the show-stopping bar leading on to a natural indoor courtyard, and downstairs a 70s luxe mirrored basement.

Expect a wide range of dishes using ingredients from the group's 180 artisan suppliers. The group's youngest Head Chef Andrea (23) heads up the kitchen with a brand-new menu serving up ‘biga’ pizzas made using a traditional Italian baking technique; giant carbonara ravioli with crispy guanciale; and La Gran Scaloppina all Milanese made with high-welfare rose veal.

Guests can also indulge in a special caviar menu featuring dishes such as cheese Crocchette; and fresh langoustine and melon served with some of the best caviar in Europe, Italian Baeri caviar from the Venetian Gavieri family.

Finally, leave space for the dolci, where a feat of gelato engineering has created the instagram worthy 60cm tall stracciatella ice cream cake marbled with chocolate spread that is cut in front of you at the table. The crazy meringue Delizia Al Limone is not to be missed either.

Wash it all down with a house giant cocktail like the Jumbo Mamma - Absolut vodka, lime cordial, Fever Tree Ginger Ale, and fresh fruit; or a novelty glass Calm Your Tits - Havana Club 3, Appleton Estate, Trois Rivieres rums, lychee, strawberry mint syrup and lime. There's also a large selection of beers, spirits and wines.

Fun, and providing a great night out with friends for some truly instagram worthy content, Ave Mario is the perfect place for a lively night out.

ST-GERMAIN TERRACES

The iconic elderflower liqueur brand, St-Germain has added a dash of inspiration to the great British summer with a series of floral terraces and bouquet workshops, in partnership with McQueens Flowers.

With summer holiday plans remaining uncertain for most, StGermain have stepped in to curate a series of beautiful flower adorned terraces, adding a touch of ‘je ne sais quoi’ to al fresco hotspots - the perfect place to catch up with friends and family transporting you to a floral oasis.

Including spots at Mrs Riot - the vibrant and unique Covent Garden based bar and restaurant - Great Northern Hotel and Radio Rooftop, each of the terraces provide an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city affording the opportunity to sip on a signature St-Germain Spritz in the sunshine.

The series also includes the launch of ‘Floraison by St-Germain’, at 1 Broadway Market - a celebration of art and nature headed up by award-winning bartender and drinks connoisseur Remy Savage. The takeover sees the establishment’s greenhouse style terrace filled with botanicals, neon installations and McQueen’s flowers, all in French Art Nouveau style for an atmospheric ambiance as well as a takeaway cocktail hatch - offering Londoners spritzes and a picnic kit for those who fancy indulging in shared moments of decadence in nearby London Fields. Alongside the terrace series, McQueens Flowers are launching a new Bouquet & Spritz Workshop, running every Thursday throughout August (5th, 12th, 19th and 26th) at the renowned florists’ own studio in the heart of central London. Bookable through Eventbrite, tickets cost £85, which includes a St-Germain Spritz Kit to take home. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Attendees will be taught how to mix this summer's must-have cocktail, the seductively Parisian St-Germain Spritz, followed by a masterclass on how to create a beautiful bouquet inspired by the wild elderflowers found in the liqueur.