Once thought of by wine snobs as unpalatable, rosé wine is toasting to its world revival: French wine critics love it, the British market is booming and more Frenchie’s now buy rosé than white wine. But the victory has been spoiled by the European Commission’s plans to loosen the strict rules on how the distinctive pink wine can be made.

In Provence – where rosé is as important to the region’s glitzy image as the Cannes film festival- winemakers are furious about the EC’s proposal to allow producers in all member states to make rosé by simply mixing red and white wine.

Unlike the rest of the world, European methods of making rosé are strictly regulated: it is produced from black grapes only, using a complex method in which the grape skins mingle with the juice for only a few hours until the right pink hue is achieved.

Does blending matter? Sounds like a perfect excuse to swish, sniff, and slurp a little afternoon pink tasting of my own this weekend..

Cheers!