In the back right corner of our shop in Berkeley lies the El Dorado of quality Beaujolais. The case stacks here are a shrine to the Gamay grape, and I gravitate towards this section every time I stop by the store. I drink wines from Beaujolais more than any other region—they check all the boxes for me: aromatic, chillable, loaded with fresh fruit and minerality, just the right amount of appetizing acidity. They’re easy-drinking, and that’s a term I don’t think gets enough credit. Shouldn’t all wines strive to be as effortlessly consumed as good Beaujolais?
            If you find yourself hunting for Gamay gems around our Berkeley shop, a brand new wine might catch your eye… A pink wine, with a familiar label. Ghislaine Dupeuble’s Beaujolais Rosé is a new release here in California, and it’s everything I love about good Beaujolais—in a rosé. White flowers, rhubarb, and ripe wild berries pull you in. On the palate, it’s smooth and rounded yet mineral, with a hint of citrus on the finish. It has a subtle herbaceousness and vibrant acidity, making it a gastronomic stunner and the perfect match for light summer fare.
           Ghislaine says her rosé is all about refreshment and conviviality—it’s been essential during the recent heat wave in France. She enjoys it as an apéritif and suggests pairing with pizza, grilled meat, and fish. She also offers this recommendation for indulgent summer refreshment: “In a carafe with the rosé, add a handful of fresh strawberries, place in the fridge for an hour or so, and then.... It’s a marvel!”
           Domaine Dupeuble is a benchmark in Beaujolais, crafting some of the region’s freshest expressions of Gamay for over 500 years. For the quality of wine that’s in your glass, “bang for your buck” doesn’t do the Dupeubles’ wines justice. Their rosé is no exception and is undoubtedly one of our best value rosés.