A friend of mine once gave me his summer mantra:  “If there ain’t pink in it, I ain’t drinkin’ it.”

I knew there was a reason I liked him.

Rosé is the official summer beverage in this house (alternating with panachés and pastis). I love it because it’s served chilled and is a nice wine that lies between red and white, and because of this it goes with a number of different types of cuisine, from salads and seafood to BBQ and curries.

Not going to lie – it’s also a super photogenic wine, its pale pink blush against the blue of a summer sky or the azure of the ocean is simply striking.  People Instagram the heck out of this wine, and I totally get it,  it’s like summer in a glass. In fact, this wine is so popular that there was actually a rosé shortage in the Hamptons a few years ago.

If you’re clueless on what a “good” rosé is, I’m here to help.  I’m here to steer you away from the White Zinfandel of my youth and towards some really approachable French rosé that won’t leave you with a literal bad taste in your mouth!

My top three French rosé wines for this season:

Under $15:  L’Ostal Cazes Rosé

The illustrious Jean-Michel Cazes is known best for his beautiful Bordeaux wines at Chateau Lynch-Bages and Cordeillan Bages, but his expertise doesn’t stop there! He also makes a splendid rosé, a Grenache/Syrah blend grown in the Pays d’Oc – light, refreshing, with a touch of sweetness and a hint of grenade.  A surprisingly delightful find at my local BevMo for just $11.99.

Under $25: Cotes des Roses Rosé (Gerard Bertrand)

Gerard Bertrand’s Cotes des Roses Rosé is instantly recognizable in its unique bottle, with a rose shaped bottom and glass stopper (in lieu of a cork). This wine hails from the Languedoc, which stretches along the Mediterranean coastline.  Soft pink with aromas of summer fruits, rose, and citrus, this refreshing wine is all about the Mediterranean lifestyle and will transport you straight to the South of France with each sip!  A consistently delicious rosé for under $25.

Over $30: Domaine Tempier Bandol Rose

Domaine Tempier is on the higher end as far as rosé wines go, and is admittedly, the first rosé that ever caught my attention.  Made of Mourvedre, Grenache, Cinsault, and Carignane, this is a Provençal wine that goes well with the food from the area: think ratatouille, salt cod, a garlicky Grand Aioli, or a tomato flan.  A little on the spendy side for rosé, but definitely worth it!