Drink pink: The best rosé wines for summer
Discover our perennial-pink bottles for summer, from fresh takes on English sparkling wine to classic serves
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Nothing says summer quite like rosé wine. Traditionally hailing from the French Côte d’Azur and Provence regions, the party-ready perennial has become synonymous with sunshine, with much of the capital stocking up their wine cabinet with a bottle or two in time for the summer season. However, for those who are late to the pink party (where have you been?), we’ve found a range of rosés that will whet the palate of even the most seasoned wine connoisseurs, ranging from independent new releases, alcohol-free iterations and sparkling serves. So, without further ado, here are the best rosé wines to drink this summer.
Whispering Angel
It only seems right to start the pink proceedings with a stalwart on the rosé scene. Perhaps one of the most famous wines on the market, you needn’t venture too far for a glass of Whispering Angel, as it’s served in most bars, pubs and shops across the capital. Created by St Tropez-based Château d’Esclans – which was formed in 2006 with a mission to create the greatest rosés in the world to ignite what it calls the ‘rosé renaissance’ – Whispering Angel blends grenache, cinsault and rolle grapes to create a pink-tinged pale wine. Full and bodied on the nose, you’ll be able to taste fresh red berry fruit characteristics with floral notes. No wonder it’s so popular…
Château La Coste NOOH sparkling rosé
This unique, non-alcoholic sparkling rosé is the brainchild of esteemed French winery, Château La Coste. For more than three years, the in-house oenologists have focused on creating an alcohol-free tipple that encapsulates the unique flavours of its signature cuvée, Rosé d’une Nuit (expect notes of grapefruit and strawberries) while creating a product that is 100 per cent wine and 0 per cent alcohol. Nooh, pronounced n-oo-h, is a play on the French word ‘Nous,’ signifying ‘us’ or ‘we’, emphasising its role as a drink for sharing with friends. Drinking wine without the hangover has never looked so good.
Bluestone Vineyards Premier Rosé 2021
Founded in 2016 by brothers Nathaniel and Toby McConnell, Bluestone Vineyards has become one of Britain’s most exciting boutique producers of vintage-led sparkling wine and is based in Wiltshire. The brothers work alongside Chef de Cave Herve Jestin, formerly of Champagne Duval-Leroy and now Champagne Leclerc Briant, to create its award-winning bottles, and for summer, it’s latest release is the Premier Rosé 2021: a delicate yet complex wine that has been aged for a minimum of 22 months on the lees. The limited-release (4,500 bottles) is a perfect blend of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier to produce a coral-pink English sparkling rosé that wouldn’t only look great on your al fresco dining table, but also pairs beautifully with oily fish, tender lamb and a cheeseboard.
Balfour 1503 Rosé
Summer is the time to back British wine – especially when its rosé tastes this good. Balfour is now one of the country’s leading producers, but it was more than two decades ago that co-founders Richard and Leslie Balfour-Lynn planted their first vineyards in the Wine Garden of England (otherwise known as Kent). Their brand was quickly put on the map two years later when Balfour Brut Rosé 2004 became the first English wine to win a trophy at the International Wine Challenge. New for 2024 is the exclusive 1503 Collection, named after the inception of the estate, and its pinot meunier-dominant rosé that offers notes of bright summer fruits. Try pairing with herby salads and fresh fish for the ultimate summer feast.
Château Peyrassol XIIIE Organic rosé
Forget Burgundy and Bordeaux – the southern region of Provence is the place to plant vineyards for perfect rosé. One age-old winery here is Château Peyrassol, which was established in 1204 by the Knights Templar before being purchased in 2001 by Philippe Austury who has worked to raise its profile with oenophiles. The Mediterranean climate in Provence lends itself well to rosé production, creating this petal-hued tipple with aromas of flowers and red fruits, and a velvety texture. Serve on your al fresco dinner table with rich dishes like chicken tagine with lemon or grilled octopus.
The Heretics Blowhorn Rosé
A newcomer to the English wine scene, The Heretics came onto the market in 2022 and is the brainchild of Gareth Maxwell – formerly of Hattingley Valley and Ellis Wines – and creative director Jimmy Hunter. Grapes are sourced from Crouch Valley in Essex, and every vintage will see a new set of labels designed by budding creatives while the wine is strategically bottled in black glass to protect it from sunlight. The first release is a 2023 named Blowhorn Rosé: the UK’s first rosé 100 per cent fermented in Burgundy barrels and made from pinot noir grapes. Best served at 11 degrees (to be precise), enjoy notes of wild strawberry, subtle cedarwood and Seville orange zest. Music lovers will also enjoy the quirky QR code on the bottle that links to The Heretics’ playlist, curated to deliver the perfect ambiance to enjoy a quality glass or two.
The Pale
Also hailing from the Château d’Esclans group (so you can expect good things), The Pale is housed in a boujee bottle with more aromatic tasting notes than its sister, and therefore appealing to a more experienced rosé drinker. Born in the Var region of Provence, head winemaker Sacha Lichine created The Pale to fall in line with the traditional style so it embodies all the characteristics of an authentic rosé from Provence. Extra kudos for the ironically-creative name too.
Wild Idol Alcohol Free Sparkling Rosé
For those looking for a hangover-free celebration, without compromising on taste or style, Wild Idol alcohol-free sparkling rosé makes for the perfect gift or accompaniment to any summer soirée. Offering delicate notes of grapefruit, rhubarb and gooseberry, this elegant wine has been made using traditional winemaking techniques with minimal intervention. Plus, it’s vegan and gluten-free too.
Amie Rosé
Amie is a London-born rosé launched during lockdown by couple Abbie Roden and Will Sandbach after recognising an opportunity to bring an on-trend rosé to the UK market. Without skimping on quality, the couple source their organic rosé directly from Languedoc, in the South of France, and it’s made from a blend of organic grenache and cinsault to result in a wine that’s light and crisp with peach tasting notes.
Rumor Rosé
Rumor is an organic and vegan blush rosé bottled in Provence. Simplicity is at the core of this wine, blending grenache, cinsault, syrah, mourvèdre and vermentino grapes with zero residual sugar to create a light, elegant tipple. This summer’s vintage is particularly notable, reflecting the past season in Provence which was marked by an especially hot and dry summer followed by welcomed showers at the beginning of September – a perfect storm, if you will…
Rathfinny Rosé
If you prefer a touch of sparkle in your wine, look no further than Rathfinny 2019 rosé. The Sussex-based wine estate opened in 2010 with husband-and-wife team Mark and Sarah Driver at the helm, intending to produce some of the world’s finest quality English sparkling wines. Its 2019 rosé is part of the Sussex Sparkling collection and features a red-fruit style that showcases the increased presence of pinot noir within the blend. Tasting notes include Seville orange, cream and peach, followed by a vibrant palate of wild strawberries and white pepper. This is a real treat.
Hattingley Valley King’s rosé
Another sparkling rosé worth mentioning is from a leading winery based in Hampshire’s patch of the South Downs National Park. The family-run Hattingley Valley planted its first grapes in 2008 and has gone on to form an award-winning estate famous for its English sparkling wine. We love its rosé, and for a special occasion, choose the limited-edition Kings Cuvée 2015. With only 1,200 bottles released, this vintage was made from a small selection of the highest quality pinots and only the best six barrels were selected out of approximately 200 to create this premium sparkling wine. It’s made from a blend of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier and was aged for seven months in old oak barrels to create a soft, creamy wine, with tasting notes of summer raspberries and red apples adding to its pale pink colour. But be quick, Hattingley Valley doesn’t expect to see another vintage until at least 2027…
Maison Mirabeau Pure rosé
Hailing back to rosé’s roots, Mirabeau Pure is the French house’s award-winning bottle born in the Côtes de Provence. Thanks to the soil’s minerality and the microclimate of the surrounding areas, including the Mont Sainte-Victoire and Maure Mountains, Pure creates a bright and lasting mineral finish with a blend of grenache and syrah grapes. Tasting notes include red berries, white peach, pear, grapefruit and pomelo, creating a carefully balanced and well-crafted rosé suitable for all occasions.
Harrods Provence Rosé
Is there anything Harrods can’t do? Its Provence rosé is made from grapes selected from the best vineyards in the French region, featuring grenache, cinsault and syrah that delivers an aromatic freshness on the nose and subtle taste on the palate. This pale pink wine perfectly pairs with summer salads and fresh seafood.
Love By Léoube
Long before the celebrity rosé rush (Kylie Minogue and Brad and Angelina Pitt are among the star-studded circle who have created their own iterations), the Bamfords were already getting started. From their Daylesford organic farm, the Cotswolds-based couple has created a food, beauty and wellness empire, and you can trust they take wine production just as seriously. French wine estate, Château Léoube, was acquired by the Bamfords in 1997 and it’s fair to say its Provençal wines are a success, with the Riviera destination also boasting a beach café, boutique and bar. Focusing on the rosé, Love By Léoube is a quintessential, dry blend of organic grenache and cinsault grapes to create a salmon-pink colour boasting strawberry and white peach flavours.
Clos du Temple Organic Rosé
Perhaps the priciest rosé in the world, Clos du Temple organic rosé is perfect for those who really want to splash the cash on a special occasion. Winemaker Gérard Bertrand is something of a legend in the French region of Languedoc, so it’s unsurprising this wine has been so thoughtfully created. He picks his grapes at sunrise before pressing at low temperatures and allowing the concoction to age in French oak barrels for at least six months. Organic and biodynamic, Clos du Temple’s nose boasts apricot, white peach and green pepper before making way for a creamy finish.
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