At Ideal Wine Company we’re big fans of rosé wines. What could be better on a warm afternoon? It truly is the taste of summer, and it’s more popular now than it has been in decades.
Rosé has a fun reputation that obscures the fact that it’s also a seriously interesting choice for wine lovers. Rosé are often uncomplicated, for sure. But that same simplicity also makes them versatile. They are easy to pair with a wide range of foods, from shellfish to pasta dishes and even burgers.
Breaking down what makes rosé wine so delicious
Rosé wine is a wine made with some of the red colour from grape skins, but not enough to consider it a red wine. There are three main ways to make rosé: the skin contact method, saignée or blending. Its versatility is one of the reasons it’s so popular, with various grades of sparkling and sweetness available.
The skin contact method is when the skins of crushed grapes are left in the juice for up to 20 hours. This is then pressed and the skins thrown away, leaving the final fermented colour pink rather than red. The Saignée (‘bleeding’)method is where the pink juice removed from red wine when it’s concentrated down is fermented separately to make rosé wine.
There are many shades and flavours of rosé wine, and it’s worth trying plenty to find your favourite. From a ruby red Grenache to a pale and sophisticated Provençal rosé, the spectrum is broad. Here are five rosé wines we think are worth trying this summer.
5 rosé wines to try when the weather heats up
- Miraval, Chateau Miraval
Rosé is a glamorous drink, so here’s a touch of Hollywood as it’s made by a chateau owned by Brad Pitt. But it is also a gorgeous Provençal-style rosé well worth trying out, thanks to its soft blush, citrus notes and a long-lasting fruit finish.
- Rose et Or, Chateau Minuty Saint-Tropez
Fresh, incredibly pale and sophisticated, a bottle of Rose et Or from the Chateau Minuty Saint-Tropez transports you to a warm afternoon on the French Riviera. It is a delicate and subtle rosé with zesty aromas and the freshness of a sea breeze. We love it.
- Whispering Angel, Chateau d’Esclans
Whispering Angel is the best-selling rosé in the world and one of the wines responsible for the rebirth of rosé in recent years. And when you try it you’ll understand why. A serious and high-quality wine, Whispering Angel has a lively crispness with dry finish. It is produced at the prestigious Chateau d’Esclans in Provence.
- Sofia Brut Rosé 2019, Francis Ford Coppola Winery
Another one with a Hollywood connection, but this time with added sparkle. Sofia Brut Rosé 2019 is wonderfully refreshing. If you make it to the beach this summer, this is the perfect one to pack in your cool bag. Refreshing, zesty and fun with a certain dry sweetness.
- Anne Amie Twelve Oaks Estate Rosé
This final one is at the other end of the spectrum from a pale, light Provençal rosé. The Anne Amie Twelve Oaks Estate Rosé in Oregon has an almost copper colour and a deeper, heavier flavour. It is fermented in barrels to get that rich colour and flavour. Take your time to enjoy this one as it has a complexity that includes everything from spice to peach flavours.
