The temperature hit 80 this weekend, which to me is a gentle reminder that it is the time of year to start stocking up the fridge with my favorite dry rosés…of which there are many!

So after I finished working in the yard at about six o’clock on Sunday, I quickly grilled a couple of seasoned, thick cut, boneless pork chops along with grilled squash, leeks and tomatoes. I did all this with a glass of Moncigale Cotes du Provence Rose ($9.99) in my hand the whole time. I would tell you that I served the rest of the bottle of the rosé with the meal, but truth be told, the bottle was about empty by the time dinner hit the table. I know some of you (Shayne) will say that it is always rosé time and that I do agree, but I can’t think of a better wine to drink with or without food when the thermometer starts to creep north of 80 degrees.

So, let me use this forum as a reminder to all of you out there, to get into your local wine monger's ear and ask them to be sure and have a good supply of dry rosés in stock. You can tell your friends, those who are uninformed, that pink doesn’t mean sweet, though the slightly sweet rosés from Anjou certainly have their place (Les Ligeriens Roses D’Anjou, $8.99). Do your wine friends a favor and introduce them to the great dry Roses of France, Italy, Spain and even California…they will be glad you did.

Ken Amendola, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits Wine Supervisor

Follow him on Twitter @abcwinekena