While a small but growing group of wine drinkers enjoy rosé wines throughout the year, sales generally peak when the weather warms up and the sun comes out. There is something about a glass of chilled rosé that sings of summer, al-fresco lunches and dinners on the terrace. Provence was always known for its pale crisp dry rosé, but in recent years it has become hugely fashionable.
I tasted two of the biggest names in Provence rosé recently, Whispering Angel (about €20 a bottle) and Minuty M limited Edition (€24.50). Both were well-made, clean and refreshing with attractive delicate strawberry fruits; classic Provence rosé.
The demand for very pale-coloured rosés being as strong as ever, virtually every wine region around the world now produces its own version, some better than others. Personally I prefer mine to have a little more fruit and character. So this week we go off-piste with some slightly different rosés, all costing less than €20.
Remember that a dark-coloured rosé wine is not an indicator of a sweet wine. Quite often they are fruitier but still bone dry. Rosés are among the most adaptable wines, perfect sipped poolside on a hot sunny day or before a barbecue, but great with food too. Serve one with mixed summer salads, spicy Asian food and even with barbecued white meats and fish.
Mithus Basilicata Rosato 2023
13%, €12.99
Available for a limited period, a rich textured rosé, with jammy ripe strawberry fruits and a rounded finish. Enjoy with mixed summery salads.
From Lidl
Mesta Organic Rosado 2024, Ucles, Spain
12% abv, €14.95
Light, floral with ripe strawberry fruits. Try it with mixed tapas or grilled fish.
From Fíon Eile, D7; Red Island, Skerries; Pinto Wines, D9; White Gables, Galway
Petit Bourgeois Pinot Noir Rosé 2024, Henri Bourgeois
13%, €19.95 down to €14.95
A bowlful of juicy raspberries and red cherries. Fresh, aromatic, crisp and dry. Summer in a glass.
From O’Briens
Bodega Ameztoi Txacoli de Getaria Rosado ‘Rubentis’
10.5%, €19.45
Floral aroma, crisp citrus, and fresh, crunchy red summer fruits. Bone dry and lightly effervescent, this would go nicely with mixed vegetables and seafood tapas.
From Fíon Eile, D7; Jus de Vine, Portmarnock; Lennox St Grocers, D8; LeCaveau.ie; Seagull Bakery, Tramore; Lilith, D7; MacGuinness, Dundalk; Martin’s, D3; 64Wines, Glasthule; TheAllotment.ie; Cass and Co, Dungarvan; L’Atitude, Cork; Drinks Store, Stoneybatter
