Best rosé wines
Our pick of the best rosé wines
Try one of my rosé wine recommendations, each representing a different aspect of the diverse world of rosé.
1. 2007 Gran Tesoro Garnacha Rosé, Campo de Borja (£3.49, Tesco)
If there’s a better cut-price rosado than this in the country, then I haven’t tasted it. This screw-capped pink from Spain is soft and juicy, with notes of raspberry and redcurrant and perky acidity on the aftertaste.
2. 2007 Tagus Creek Shiraz/Touriga Nacional Rosé, Ribatejo (£5.49, Waitrose, Booths, Tesco)
Move over Mateus Rosé? This blend of Portugal’s best grape with more international Shiraz is so deeply coloured it could almost be a red. It’s an ultra-modern wine with rich plum and cherry stone fruit and lovely depth of flavour.
3. 2007 Château Guiot Rosé, Costières de Nîmes Rosé (£6.99, or £5.99 each for two, Majestic)
By the standards of pale Provençal rosés, this is a big, fruity, deeply coloured wine made from Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault. It’s very much a food-friendly style, with enough weight and berry fruit to partner firm fish or poultry dishes.
4. Griffith Park Rosé, South Eastern Australia (£6.98, Asda)
Poor people’s pink fizz this may be, but it’s still a very good drink if you’re on a budget. Produced from mostly Chardonnay with a little Pinot Noir and Shiraz for colour, it’s a well-made Aussie sparkler with a little bit of residual sugar.
5. Moscato Freisa Spumante (£6.99, Marks & Spencer)
This is actually a blend of two grapes – white Moscato with red Freisa – made in a lightly sparkling, sweetish style with low alcohol. It’s perfumed and grapey with a refreshing, zesty aftertaste. Try it with a bowl of strawberries and cream.
6. 2008 Altosur Malbec Rosé, Mendoza (£7.49, Majestic)
Here’s proof that Argentina is emerging as an excellent source of rosé wines, thanks to the dominance of Malbec, its best red grape. This high-altitude example is rich and refreshing, with a nip of tannin providing welcome structure.
7. 2008 The Reach Sauvignon Blanc Rosé, Marlborough (£7.99, Tesco)
Yup, that’s right, a Sauvignon Blanc rosé, given a pinkish tinge by the addition of 14% Pinot Noir. Despite the colour, this still smells and tastes like Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.
8. Sainsbury’s Rosé Champagne Brut (£17.98, Sainsbury’s)
It’s the 13% Pinot Noir that gives this attractive fizz its colour. It’s a youthful, red fruits-scented style with a malty, raspberryish edge, fresh acidity and a touch of sweetness.
