For centuries Provence, France, has been the prominent and most renowned producer of rosé wines, with almost 80% of rosé hailing from the region. While Provence undoubtedly produces some fabulous wines, there are others, near and far, making a play for the pink-tinted crown. Putting them to the test, we started with one of our favourite Provence-made rosés before trying four of the best from across the globe, finding some worthy rivals.
AIX Rosé 2022
£17
Found nestled in the hills north of Aix-en-Provence, the Maison Saint Aix Estate is dedicated to producing just one wine — and a spectacular wine it is too. This premium, award-winning rosé, made from a combination of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault grapes, is as easy on the eye, with its delicate salmon pink hue, as it is on the palate.
From the moment you uncork the bottle of AIX
Rosé 2022, the scents of summer are there — peaches and berries abound. Once on the palate, there are distinct notes of strawberry and raspberry, with a floral hint coming gently through. With a little acidity from the citrus leading to a long, dry finish, it is a wonderfully balanced, refreshing mouthful and the perfect accompaniment to a summer picnic.
Turkey Flat Rosé 2022
£14
Shiraz vines were first planted at Turkey Flat Vineyard in 1847 by Johann Fiedler, who was among the earliest winemakers in Barossa Valley. The Schulz family have been at the helm since the 1860s and today produce some of the finest rosés in the region.
A blend of Grenache and Mataro grapes creates this fruity rosé, which combines fruit, floral and spices seamlessly. Red berries and a hint of citrus on the nose open out on the palate, with juicy berries taking centre stage. There is a spicy note there, too, giving just a hint of warming sharpness, which is enough to prick the taste buds while not overwhelming them. The finish is clean and moves away from the sweet fruit to a crisp, savoury flavour.
A flavourful summer wine which would be a great addition to any summer gathering.
Bollinger Rosé
£58
Bollinger has a long and illustrious history of producing top-notch bubbles, but does its rosé hit the same mark? In short — yes, it really does.
Bollinger Rosé is made from a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, and Pinot Noir, with the latter providing the lion’s share. This Pinot Noir-led mix creates not only a beautiful pink glassful but also a nose full of red currants, cherries, and red berries. Once on the palate, the fruits continue to flow, backed by a touch of warming spice, to keep the taste buds tingling, ably assisted by fine bubbles. There is a sweetness there, too, a hint of brioche, perhaps.
The finish is a little more acidic, which can be attributed to the tannins from the high red grape content — with 5-6% vinified as red wine before being blended — but coupled with the delicate, velvety bubbles, give the mouthful an almost mousse-like texture.
A lovely rosé to sip alongside an afternoon tea or a fruit-filled dessert.
Hambledon Vineyard Classic Cuvée Rosé NV
£37
Hambledon Vineyard, established in 1952, is England’s oldest commercial vineyard. Over the years, the vineyard was shrunk down to just four acres until it was taken over by Ian Kellett in 1999 and revived. Today Hambledon is going from strength to strength, producing a range of sparkling wines exclusively from grapes from its own vines.
Classic Cuvée Rosé NV is 90% Chardonnay grapes blended with 10% Pinot Noir to add the delightful pale pink colour and a depth of flavour. Each expression is aged for a minimum of 45 months.
As you might expect from a rosé, the fruity scent of red berries — predominantly sweet strawberries — greets you first, with a floral hint sneaking in. Once on the palate, the strawberries are joined by a deeper red berry flavour and a touch of lemony citrus. The sweetness is mellowed by a hint of buttery toast, creating a well-balanced flavour accentuated by fine bubbles. The finish is clean and crisp and has a little acidic hit, leaving you wanting more.
Hambledon Vineyard Première Cuvée rosé
£75
Recently released by Hambledon Vineyard is the latest expression of Première Cuvée rosé, a rosé with a deep pink colour and rich, fruity flavours. Using a blend of around 87% Pinot Meunier, 5% red Pinot Noir and 5% Chardonnay, this rosé has a heady flavour and deeper colour, thanks to the saignée production method. This method sees juice drained from a tank of crushed grapes which contains a higher proportion of grape skins than is often seen, which has a concentrating effect on the liquid, creating a richer, more colourful wine.
Another marked difference between the Première Cuvée rosé and other rosé wines from Hambledon is ageing; this expression has spent longer on the lees, having been bottled in 2017 and disgorged — the process of removing the yeast from the bottle — in 2022, adding depth and complexity to the flavour.
On the nose, Première Cuvée rosé is full of ripe strawberry and red berry sweetness. Once on the palate, there are deeper flavours of cherry and blackberry, with earthy, slightly spicy notes from the abundance of Pinot Meunier. The finish has a savoury, faintly acidic edge, which rounds out the mouthful nicely.
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