Spring has sprung, the sun is shining and the garden is really coming to life. As soon as the days get longer I love nothing better than sitting out in the garden with a glass of rosé wine. I really think it’s summer in a glass!
Rosé wine is mainly made with red grapes. The colour is produced when the juice is left in contact with the grape skins for a very short time – usually less than one day. This is in contrast to red wine, where the grape skins stay with the juice throughout the fermentation process to give a much deeper colour. Rosé wine is never produced by mixing red and white wines – this is only allowed in rosé champagne.
A wide range of grape varieties are used in rosé wine. This means there are many different styles available. From the pale onion-skin colour of Provençal rose through to the bright vivid pink of new world versions, there’s something for everyone.
Here’s three of my favourites. They will all work well on their own, with grilled fish and summer salads or even a fruit-based dessert.
Chapel Down English Rosé (£12.99 Waitrose). Chapel Down is based in Kent, where the chalky soils are similar to that found in Champagne. The wine is beautiful – like an English summer – think flavours of strawberries and cream.
Me and Monsieur Jones Rosé (£9.99 Naked Wines). From the Languedoc region of Southern France, produced by wine producer Katie Jones using a blend of grapes from her and her husband’s vineyards. It is fruity and floral, slightly off dry and very refreshing.
Miraval Rosé (£17.99 Majestic). A ‘celebrity’ wine – the estate is owned by Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt – in a very classical Provençal style. The palest of our three wine, with flavours of red berries and stone fruits.
All prices correct at time of writing.
About
Jo is an independent wine enthusiast, who is qualified as WSET Level 3 (with distinction). She is passionate about wine and enjoys sharing her advice through her blogs. Jo is also a keen photographer and loves taking the photos of wine almost as much as tasting the wine! Read more on My Story.
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