When it comes to summer there is nothing like lounging on my deck with a nice glass of Rosé. Refreshing and delicious it is a great porch pounder. But many people don’t realize that Rosé is one of the most food friendly wines out there. Because, there are made with red grapes the wines can be a touch more substantive than a lot of white wines but without the troublesome tannins can make some reds tricky to pair. Everything from vegetables and vegetarian foods, spicier cuisines, herbal and aromatic dishes can be easily swayed by the power of Rosé. Rosé is made all over the world in virtually every wine growing region from just about every grape it seems. But, Roses true home is in the south of France – Provence to be specific, Bandol to be precise. Here something like 90% of the wine produced is pink! So when it comes to pairing I look to Provence for inspiration - Ratatouille, Salad Niçoise, Bouillabaisse are classics. But a personal favorite is Chicken Provençale- chicken marinated in olive oil, garlic and fresh herbs grilled and served with a sauce of fresh tomatoes, Niçoise olives fennel and a touch of anchovy and capers. Served up with some haricot vert and chilled Rosé et viola! Bandol is a personal favorite. There are many greats –Tempier, Bastide Blanche, . My personal favorite is Domaine Sorin Bandol Rose 2016 and at $17.99 it is truly a steal for Bandol Rosé. With all the extra richness that comes from a Bandol rose, this is a full wine, rounded with a touch of watermelon as well as generous berry fruits. The blend is 60% Mouvedre, 25% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 5% Carignan. The acidity gives a lift to the concentration of the wine. Chicken Provençale Serves 8 Ingredients: 3 pounds Chicken Breast - Boneless, skinless and butterflied *****Marinade ¼ cup Olive oil 1 teaspoon each fresh Rosemary, thyme and sage ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes 1 teaspoon Garlic, chopped ***** Provençale Sauce ¼ cup Olive oil 1 each Onion, Diced 1 each Fennel, diced 2 Cloves Garlic, chopped ½ cup White Wine Salt 1 teaspoon Red pepper flake 2 Tablespoon chopped Parsley 1 Tablespoon Herbs du Provence 1 Tablespoon fresh Thyme 1 cup olives - Nicoise, Picholine, Kalamata, etc. 2 tablespoons capers 2 each anchovy, Minced 1 Pound Fresh Tomato, diced 14 ounces Tomato Puree 1. In large bowl combine ingredients for marinade 2. Butterfly chicken breasts: Put your chicken breast on a chopping board and, with your hand flat on top of it, use a sharp knife to slice into one side of the breast, starting at the thicker end and ending at the thin point. Be careful not to cut all the way through to the other side. Open out the breast so that it resembles a butterfly. 3. Place into marinade and toss to coat. Place in zip lock bag, you can do this a day before. 4. To make sauce: In a large pot heat olive oil and add Onion, Fennel and garlic stir to soften. Add spices and herbs stir to sweat add white wine. Reduce. 5. Add olives, capers, anchovy, tomatoes, and puree. 6. Cook until sauce is thickened, remove from heat. 7. Preheat grill: clean and brush with oil 8. Place breast butterflied side down. Cook 3 minutes turn ¼ turn cook 2 minutes 9. Flip and cook another 2 – 4 minutes remove from grill and let rest a few minutes 10. Serve with Haricot Vert, roasted potatoes, and Provençale sauce.