Rosé is a great summer drink, says Christine Austin, as she selects her favourites for a tenner or under.

The great thing about an English summer is that your sunshade can always double up as an umbrella if the weather decides to be difficult.  And because the uncertainty of English summer makes them so glorious and exciting, it is important to get the right wines in stock in plenty of time, ready to open and pour.

With my eye on a tenner as the maximum price and my tastebuds focussed on flavour, these are the best rosé wines on the shelves for sunshine drinking.

La Vieille Ferme Rosé 2018, Vin de France, Waitrose £7.99 down to £5.99 until 9 July

Made from Southern French grapes, Carignan and Grenache, this has the taste of fresh-picked redcurrants and just a hint of herbs.  It is made by the Perrin family who have been making Brad and Angelina’s Ch. Miraval for the last few years.  Terrific quality at a bargain price.

Exquisite Sud de France Rosé 2018, Languedoc, France, Aldi, £5.99

Made from much the same blend of grapes as many Côtes de Provence wines, but from outside the defined region.  Pale and delicate in colour it has just the right level of fruit and freshness, at a bargain price.

Taste the Difference Bordeaux Rosé 2018, France, Sainsbury £8, down to £6.75 until 2 July

Made from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, this is deeper in colour than Provence rosés but it is bigger in flavour too with fresh acidity on the finish.  Team with grilled tuna or salmon.

The Exquisite Collection Côtes de Provence Rosé 2018, France, Aldi £6.99

This comes in the traditional curvy bottle of Provence which instantly makes you think of long summer days and sunshine.  The flavours are good too.  Light strawberry fruit, with peachy notes and a lemon fresh finish.

Mud House Sauvignon Blanc Rosé 2018, New Zealand, Morrisons, £9 down to £7 until 16 July

Fresh, vibrant, gooseberry-fresh Sauvignon with just a touch of red fruit flavours.  Enjoy this on its own or with nibbles of goat’s cheese and charcuterie.

Incarnade Pinot Noir Rosé 2018, Pays d’Oc, France, Co-op £7

Made from 100% Pinot Noir grown in southern France this has texture as well as delicate, strawberry flavours with nectarine and tangerine zest on the finish.

Taste the Difference Fronton Negrette Rosé 2018, France, Sainsbury £7

Another wine that has just a few shades more colour than is strictly fashionable, but it makes up for this with strawberry fruit and just a hint of spice. Perfectly dry, it is delicious served with grilled fish.

Taste the Difference Barrihuelo Rioja Rosado 2018, Spain, Sainsbury £7.50

Deeper in colour and flavour than Provence rosés this is packed with raspberry fruit, clean, zesty freshness and it goes perfectly with lamb kebabs.

Wairau Cove Rosé 2018, New Zealand, Tesco £7.50

Mainly Pinot Noir with a substantial splash of Merlot, this wine has a pale delicate colour but still packs enough flavour to accompany a wide range of food, from quiches, fish and salads to lamb chops and herby sausages.

Rosé d’Anjou 2018, Loire, France, Marks and Spencer £8

A throwback to another era, but with style.  This is an off-dry wine, with raspberry fruit balanced by just a hint of sweetness.  It goes well with anything lightly spiced, such as Thai-style spicy chicken and chilli-spiced duck.

Cune Rioja Rosado 2018, Spain, Co-op £8.50

Definitely pink in colour with slightly more weight than many rosé wines, and creamy notes adding to the strawberry and summer-sunshine fruit.

L’Escarpe Coteaux d’Aix en Provence Rosé 2018, Morrisons £8.75

A pale, delicate wine, packed with raspberry and strawberry fruit combined with a floral, herby finish.  The embossed bottle is pretty too.

Rustenberg Petit Verdot Rosé 2018, Stellenbosch, South Africa, Waitrose £8.99

Deep pink in colour with strawberry and fresh raspberry flavours this is a rosé that can stand up to rare steak straight from the barbecue or spiced chicken kebabs.

Moonlight and Rosé 2018, Coteaux d’Aix en Provence, Morrisons £10 down to £9 until 16 July

In a clear dumpy bottle that from a distance looks like the much more expensive Miraval, this has delicate wild strawberry fruit and a fresh, dry finish.  Perfect for sunny summer lunches.

Coteaux Varois en Provence 2018, France, Marks and Spencer £9

Of all the curvy Provence bottles on the shelves, this is one of the prettiest and that goes for the wine too.  Delicate in colour with rose petal aromas, redcurrant fruit and a twist of pink grapefruit to balance.

Viu Manent Reserva Malbec Rosé 2018, Chile, Bon Coeur Fine Wines, Melsonby £9.43

A robust rosé that can partner anything that comes off the barbecue.  It has dusty spiced strawberry fruit with a clean, clear citrus finish.

Réserve du Boulas 2018, Côtes du Rhône Rosé, France, Marks and Spencer £9.50

If you select your rosé by its pale, pale colour then you might walk past this deep pink, almost light red wine but that would be a shame.  Chock full of summer fruit flavours, dusted with herbs it has a savoury, food-friendly character that will last from afternoon into evening without missing a beat.

Whispering Angel 2018, Côtes de Provence, Waitrose half bottle £9.99

A firm favourite for summer parties, with the taste of dusky, wild strawberry fruit, it is easy to drink on its own or will combine well with summer foods. A half bottle may seem small but it is perfect for picnics à deux.

 

Villa Wolf Pinot Noir Rosé, Pfalz, Germany 2018, Roberts and Speight Beverley £9.99

German Pinot makes a change from all the other rosé wines on the shelves.  This one has gentle redcurrant fruit and just an edge of sweetness balancing the zesty finish.  Try it with lightly spiced prawns or a summer vegetable stir-fry.

La Terrasse 2018, Pays d’Oc, France, Sainsbury £10

There is something about the glass stopper in this bottle that lifts the whole presentation above the screwcaps and corks.  Sleek in presentation and delicious in flavour, this will look and taste fabulous at your summer lunch.

About The Author

Christine is a wine writer, broadcaster and a wine judge for several international wine competitions. She has a technical background and spent five years as a buyer for a major supermarket before moving to wine writing.She writes for The Yorkshire Post Magazine and organises the York Festival of Food and Drink. She has won both the Lanson and the Roederer prizes for wine writing.

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