We love that Simon Cocks even sounds British in the way he writes (”langoustines,” anyone?). Here, he helps us get into the summer mood by picking out a great Rosé for us, for only $14.99 a bottle. Pick it up at Larchmont Wine in LA, or check Wine-Searcher for a retailer convenient to you.

Simon says:

Those of us not on expense-account fly-aways to Cannes and its lovely environs can only dream of languishing in a café by the harbor, a soft breeze in our face and a platter of langoustines in front of us waiting to be devoured…

Given the travel-decimating strength of the Euro, what to do? The sun and breezes we have, the shellfish can be arranged, the quaint cafe will have to be imagined, but you can approximate the gastronomic experience with help from this delightful rose, just like the one they’d pour for you in Saint-Tropez.

A blend of 60% Cinsault and 40% Grenache, this is a luscious, yet dry rendition of the classic Provencal rose. It has delicate ripe wild baby strawberry and juicy watermelon fruit in abundance on the nose, is light in body and cut through with mineral-laden acidity, making it a perfect thirst-quenching wine for summer-drinking purposes.

Pair with bouillabaise, grilled squid, appetizers of any stripe and even Indian or Thai fare. –SC

We’re doing a little spring cleaning and the first thing in store is to get the older vintages of Rosé off our shelves as we prepare for some new ones to appear. Not that there’s anything wrong with these 2006s (and in one case, a lovely 05). These are drinking well still, and at 30% off they’re priced to go.Everything’s coming up Rosés…