There’s something about rosé that's befitting of halcyon days, a no-fuss wine that's uncomplicated, easily enjoyed and wonderfully affordable. Intended to be bought and drunk, without the worry of having to lie it down, it's quickly become the picnic beverage of choice or the must-have sundowner on deck and it's not hard to gauge why. Whether you holiday onboard a superyacht or on the French Riviera, there’s no wine better suited to alfresco dining, regardless of location. In our opinion, rosé should be a staple feature in every wine fridge and we've got 12 great choices to stock up on below.
One thing that needs to be cleared up is that paler isn’t always better. In fact, colour has no correlation with quality and the variation in colour comes from a number of contributing factors, the main one being the grape variety and the maceration process. If you were once stung by the vivid pink-hued rosé of the zinfandel boom, it’s time to stick your head above the parapet and experiment once again with different style rosés. There’s a whole world of flavours to discover in varied rosé wines and colour shouldn’t hold you back.
Chateau D'esclans
Chateau d'Esclans Rock Angel
Big sister to the renowned Whispering Angel that was the must-have tipple at every summer party for the last two years. If you think the original couldn't be bettered, think again. Slightly darker in colour and fuller in flavour, Rock Angel has the same well-balanced acidity with a peachier palette.
shop nowChateau Romassan 2019 Domaine Ott
We know Bandol is a key appellation for some great rosé and Domaine Ott is arguably the most revered rosé to stem from it, known for being one of the premium Provence rosés. Situated close to the the Bay of Bandol, east of Marseille, Domaine Ott is a hand-picked bouquet of Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Grenache. The result is a vivacious and robust wine with tropical fruits and refreshing grapefruit.
shop nowHattingley Valley Still
A new release from this English winery, Still is a beautiful looking bottle filled with tourmaline pink rosé. A delightful bouquet of strawberry, lime and bubblegum burst from the glass, while grapefruit and strawberry follow through on the palate. It's dry, despite the bubblegum on the nose, with medium acidity.
shop nowMirabeau Etoile Provence Rosé
This beautiful bottle of rosé with an ethereal, blush tint to it. It’s incredibly dry with high acidity bursting with citrus fruit flavours and delicate peach. On the nose whiffs of cut grass and floral aromas are softly distinguishable.
shop nowChateau Puech-Haut Tête de Bélier 2019
Chateau Puech-Haut is a testament to Languedoc and when you try this wine you'll soon see why. Made almost entirely (99%) of Mourvèdre grapes which gives it that hint of pepper on the finish, you'll find the texture to be creamy and light. It's dry, with a long, citrusy finish, but you'll enjoy the soft strawberries and stone fruit in the first instance.
shop nowChateau D'esclans
Chateau d'Esclans Whispering Angel
Arguably the most Instagrammed wine in the world, we couldn't possibly have a rosé guide without including Whispering Angel. The lightness of this wine not only makes it easy to drink but it’s the perfect suitor to summer meals like hearty salads and meze platters. It’s slightly tart with some mouth-watering tropical fruits with an elegant and dry finish.
shop nowSusana Balbo Signature Rosé
This is an Argintinian rosé that packs a punch. It's undeniably enjoyable with a full, fruity bouquet from the get-go, it’s creamy in texture and delivers bright flavours with hints of citrus. It’s easily quaffable and thirst-quenching, all-in-all a great summer wine.
£19.95 from The Whisky Exchange
shop nowBandol Rosé Domaine de Terrebrune
Another fantastic Bandol rosé and a strong contender for the top spot in this line up. Richer in colour to the others on this list, Domaine de Terrebrune has a whole array of inviting flavours. It's another Bandol dominated by Mourvèdre, a grape that does well in these climes. Expect to enjoy red fruits and green apple and a distinctive note of minerality to add to the complexity.
shop nowMiraval Côtes de Provence
Château Miraval is one of the oldest wine estates in the South of France is owned by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. This is a gorgeous summer wine that will be right at home and your next barbecue, with flavours of lemon peel and peach, there's a lovely thread of salinity that carries through the long finish.
shop nowChâteau Léoube 'Secret de Léoube'
This is another great organic wine option, an interesting wine with a bit more to it. Secrete de Léoube is a blend of old vine Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Cinsault and has noteable herbaceous notes with subtle minerality. It has a wonderful complexity with pear and strawberries on the palate.
shop nowClarendelle Inspired by Haut Brion Rosé 2019
Clarendelle is from great stock as it's part of the Clarence Dillon stable which also has Chateau Haut Brion and Chateau Quintus in its ranks. The 2019 rosé is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc, resulting in a fantastic, dry rosé for the warmer months.
shop nowLe Météore 2019 Domaine du Météore
This exciting new wine is Domaine du Météore's first foray into rosé, and we're sure we'll be seeing it crop up more regularly. The winery takes its name from the 10,000-year old meteorite crater that sits at the centre of the vineyard, in the Languedoc mountains. Le Météore' is an organic wine of predominantly Cinsault and Grenache Noir grapes, dry with delicate sweetness from the red fruits, most notably strawberries and cherries.
£15.50 from Domaine du Météore
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