The Top Rosé Wines to Enjoy this Summer

Words by

Charlotte McManus

27th June 2022

From homegrown English expressions to classic Provençal pinks, you'll be tickled pink with Sphere's selection of the best rosé wines to enjoy over the summer season. Chin chin!

Château Galoupet

Why not opt for a pink wine with green credentials? Château Galoupet’s Nomade 2021 is made to be sustainable “from ground to glass”, crafted with respect for the terroir’s Provencal biodiversity and wildlife. As well as being easy to refrigerate (and slot into a bag on the way to the park), the added bonus of its its flat, lightweight bottle is that it is made from recyclable Prevented Ocean Plastic. The wine itself is delicious — fresh and light, with a touch of minerality.

£23, clos19.com

Exton Park RB|23

Adding a touch of sparkle to proceedings, this dry and delicate English rosé fizz makes for a refreshing summertime apéritif. It's also an official pour of choice of top chef Simon Rogan, who serves it at his multi-Michelin-starred restaurants. In the glass, aromas of white peach and red berries give way to a well-balanced floral finish. Pair with cured meat, fresh shellfish or fruity puds.

£39, extonparkvineyard.com

Château Minuty 281

For a cuvée that will add real 'wow' factor to a dinner party, look to Minuty's 281 vintage. Its beautiful bottle is designed by the acclaimed Hubert de Malherbe (known for his work on Dior's perfume bottles and Veuve Clicquot accessories), complete with a splash of colour - Pantone 281 blue - to evoke the Mediterranean shores of Provence. Its delicate citrus and tropical fruit nose gives way to a bold white fruit palate with a pleasingly long finish. The château advise serving 281 chilled (10-12°) rather than cold, so that the wine can hold its weight against flavour-heavy pairings, such as spicy Asian dishes.

£55, en.minuty.com

AIX Rosé 2021

Despite the not-insubstantial challenges of extreme weather, late spring frost and fires breaking out in the local Provence area, AIX succeeded in producing a new vintage rosé from the 2021 harvest. Crafted in classic house style, the salmon pink wine opens with peach blossom and grapefruit aromas on the nose. Fresh and bright on the palate, red fruit flavours are expertly balanced with fine-tuned acidity and a complex mineral finish. Splash out on a magnum to savour over a long lunch enjoyed al fresco.

£37.99 for a magnum, aixrose.com

Hambledon Classic Cuvée Rosé

Another home-grown option, this is the rose expression of Hambledon's Classic Cuvée fizz. It is made from a blend of Chardonnay (90%) and Pinot Noir (10%) grapes cultivated on the chalk slopes on Hambledon's Hampshire estate. Aged for a minimum of 45 months on the lees, the sparkling wine offers a nose of pink lady apples, candied rhubarb and brioche, whilst fruity flavours of pomegranate and ruby grapefruit emerge on the palate with a moreishly silky mouthfeel.

£35, hambledonvineyard.co.uk

Château d'Estoublon Roseblood d'Estoublon Rosé

Finally, rounding things off with something sweet, Château d’Estoublon has partnered with Ladurée on a limited-edition collection. Made with summer BBQs and garden parties in mind, the Roseblood rosé comes with lively notes of pomegranate, blackcurrant and apricot. Pair with Maison Ladurée x Roseblood macarons, designed to complement the wine both in flavour profile and their pretty pale pink hue.

£32 for the wine, with macaron gift boxes starting at £17, chateau-estoublon.com; laduree.co.uk