A glass of chilled rosé has become one of our favourite summer tipples. While many now drink it throughout the year, sales of rosé rocket once the sun comes out.
Provence has led the way with a series of very pale, crisp, dry wines, usually packaged in a unique bottle. But Provence is not the only source; virtually every other region and country has an option, some similar to Provence, but others are refreshingly different. Instead of automatically picking Provence, why not shake things up a little and chose a rosé to suit the occasion?
Depending on where you are and when you intend eating, there is a huge variety available to choose from. Here is a selection of wines to cover every occasion in the coming summer months, from light and elegant to rich and fruity.
I have nothing against Provence rosé, but this summer I would encourage you to try wines from a few other sources so I have left Provence out of my deliberations on this occasion.
We tend to think of rosé as a wine to drink by itself, on the terrace with friends as the sun goes down or by the pool on a lazy sunny afternoon. Yet it is one of the most food-friendly wines of all, matching nicely with all sorts of dishes, from the lightest to the most full-bodied. It certainly has a great affinity with seafood and salmon in particular; it will usually pair nicely with Asian food, including spicy food such as curries, Thai chicken or prawn green curry.
It surprises many people, but a richer style of rosé goes very well with barbecued food and not just fish and chicken. Big and bold rosé can often make a great partner for grilled lamb cutlets, pork chops, gourmet burgers and sausages. Overall, chose your rosé as you would a red and white wine, matching the style of your rosé to the body and richness of your food.
When choosing your rosé remember that colour is not a reliable indicator of sweetness or level of alcohol. Deeply coloured rosé got a bad name thanks to cheap sweet blush Zinfandel from California, but it can be very good. Rosé can vary from the faintest salmon pink to almost red in colour. It all depends on how you make the wine, the grape variety you use, where the wine comes from, and the length of time the juice spends in contact with the grape skins.
Some parts of Spain have always made deeply coloured rosés, often a mix of red and white grapes, that have real character. The Dido La Solució Rosa featured here, made from a blend of red and white grapes is the palest pink, yet is 14 per cent alcohol – which it carries very well.
Remember to serve your rosé chilled but not ice cold – you don’t want to lose all those lovely flavours through over-chilling. Ice buckets may look great, but any wine will taste of very little after a few minutes under ice. Far better to invest in a single bottle wine cooler. They can look good on a table and will keep your wine chilled for an hour or more.
Here are 10 very different rosés, ranging in price from €7.99 to €28.95, to serve on every conceivable occasion this summer. No matter what style you prefer there will be one to suit your tastes and possibly a few new wines to discover and enjoy. All we need is plenty of sun.
Sparkling rosé
Sun is out, holidays started? Time to celebrate with a bottle of something chilled, pink and fizzy. If you want to push the boat out go for a pink Champagne. Alternatively, there are also some really good refreshing rosé Pet Nats, or lightly naturally sparkling wines. However, Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Rosé (€16-€18.50, widely available including SuperValu, Dunnes Stores, O’Briens and Molloys) is a very smart inexpensive alternative. With its vibrant raspberry and redcurrant fruits it is perfect for that mini-celebration, or even an al fresco lunch.
Poolside rosé
You are sitting by the pool, or in the garden, the sun is out, and you have a few friends around. This is the time to crack open a light mouth-watering rosé with delicate summer fruits. While there are plenty of inexpensive options around, this is one time when you should trade up a little; your friends will certainly thank you. Thörle Rosé Trocken 2020, Rheinhessen, (€19.95, Corkscrew, Dublin) from Germany, is a very refined elegant wine, beautifully packaged, with vivacious redcurrant fruits backed up with a fine crisp acidity. The perfect poolside rosé and a conversation topic too.
Al fresco dining rosé
If you are dining outdoors, serving plates of mezze, tapas or summery prawn or fish salads go for a lightly fruity rosé that will complement but never dominate your food. If you are on a budget the Coteaux de Beziers Rosé 2021 (€9.99, Aldi) would do nicely. You could certainly enjoy this solo, but those ripe rounded red fruits will go very nicely with all sorts of nibbles and lighter starters. Alternatively the organic Domaine le Novi Luberon Côté Levant 2020 (€14.95, Mitchell & Son, Cass & Co, Wilde & Green, Kilruddery Farm Shop) is a light, thirst-quenching rosé with reviving peach and raspberry fruits. Serve chilled with salads and light seafood dishes.
Medium-bodied rosé
With richer Mediterranean or Provençal foods, such as salade Niçoise, tapenade, griddled peppers, feta with tomatoes, salmon mayonnaise, grilled fish, chicken salad, go for a medium-bodied rosé with enough fruit to stand up to those great summer flavours. The O’Briens Rós Rosé 2021, Navarra (€12.71, O’Briens) is a very stylish rosé with lightly textured raspberry fruits, plenty of refreshing acidity and a crisp dry finish. Great served solo, but even better with food. I would be tempted to try it with a seafood paella. This wine is made by Lynne Coyle, wine director at O’Briens in conjunction with Spanish producer Bodega Tandem. The 2021 vintage is the best yet.
Richer rosé
Richer foods need richer wines and the same holds for rosé; a more full-bodied rosé from Spain will go nicely with paella, and all sorts of grilled white meats including chicken, pork sausages as well, as well as pizza and mild curries. The Cillar de Silos 2020 Ribera del Duero Rosado, Spain (€12.27, winespark.com) has an enticing floral nose, medium-bodied with ample ripe strawberry fruits, and very good length, all at a great price too.
Barbecue rosé
Not all rosé is light and anaemic. Bigger, bolder versions come into their own when served with grilled and or spicy food. As rosé has less tannin than a red wine, it is easier to drink without food too. Two options here, one from Spain, the other Tuscany. The Tenuta Lenzini B-side Rosato 2020 IGT Toscana (€28.50 Sheridan’s Cheesemongers; siyps.com) has voluptuous rich ripe plums and pomegranates, with a seductive juiciness. Try it with herby grilled lamb, barbecued chicken or porchetta sandwiches.
Alternatively, the Dido La Solució Rosa 2019 Montsant, Spain (€28.95, boutique wines.ie; stationtostationwine.ie; Barnhill Stores, Dalkey; Pete’s, Dublin 5; Provender Wines, Dublin 8; The Pantry, Nenagh; Dingle Wine Cellar) is a unique and very enjoyable rosé. Pale in colour with delicate, elegant, canned strawberry and peach fruits, finishing dry. A posh option that would go nicely with most summer foods, but certainly has the power (and 14 per cent alcohol) to stand up to all of those strong charred barbecued flavours. I would try this with grilled salmon, monkfish kebabs, or yakitori chicken.
Party rosé
If you are throwing a summer party you need an inexpensive rosé that will keep everyone upright and coming back for more. So, nothing too alcoholic, and something with plenty of fruit. The Mimo Moutinho Vinho Verde Rosé 2021, Portugal (€7.99, Aldi) hits all the right buttons at an incredible price. This is a light rosé with mouth-watering juicy raspberry fruits. Your guests will certainly enjoy this solo or with a variety of nibbles – always a good idea at a party.
Almost Provence rosé
Lastly, if you are wedded to the Provencal style of rosé, why not try one from the neighbouring Languedoc region. The grape varieties are pretty much the same, and in many cases I doubt most people could taste any difference. The Gérard Bertrand Cote des Roses Rosé 2021 (€14.21, O’Briens) even comes in a very smart and distinctive bottle. It is a keenly priced rosé with clean, elegant blackcurrant and raspberry fruits, finishing dry. This would make a great poolside wine and also go well with light summery salads.
