WHAT

Rosé

WHEN

2025

WHERE

Saint-Vérand, Beaujolais, France

Pierre-Marie Chermette is a 5th generation vigneron at Domaine du Vissoux in Saint-Vérand, one of the Beaujolais crus' southern neighbors. He farms sustainably, uses only indigenous yeasts across every wine he makes, and vinifies in the old foudres built by his great-grandfather using the classic whole-cluster, semi-carbonic maceration method that defined Beaujolais before the region started chasing easier styles. His yields are low enough that he never needs to chaptalize. The wines are bottled with minimal sulfur and little or no filtration.

Les Griottes is named for the morello cherry — griotte in French — and the name fits. The rosé is 100% Gamay, pale salmon in the glass, with tangerine and strawberry on the nose, candied rose, and a suggestion of fresh herbs. Dry and fleshy on the palate with refreshing acidity and a pleasantly bitter finish that makes you reach for another sip. It's the kind of rosé that actually tastes like something.

Pour it very cold. Drink it with seafood, grilled vegetables, summer salads, or on its own on any warm evening. One of the best-value bottles from one of Beaujolais's most serious producers.