26 Jul 2025
This week I bring you a bumper edition of the best rosé wines I’ve been tasting this summer – I guarantee there’s a rosé for everyone!
You will have heard me say before that rosé is not just for summer and hot weather and I still stick by that belief, but there’s nothing more satisfying on a hot summer’s day than pulling the cork or twisting that screwcap on a chilled bottle of rosé.
When we think of rosé, many people automatically think of Provence, and yes, I’m a huge fan too, but as well as bringing you rosé from Provence, I’m throwing in a couple from other parts of Europe too.
Minuty M Limited Edition Rose 2024 (£15.00 – £19.99 OCADO, Majestic, Waitrose, Selfridges, Harvey Nicols)
This wine is the result of four generations of Provence Rosé winemaking experience, featuring the iconic ‘corset’ bottle shape designed by Monique Matton in the 1960s.
Made from 60 per cent Grenache, 20 per cent Syrah, 15per cent Cinsault, and 5% Tibouren grapes, the Minuty M is a fresh, clean, and rounded wine with red berry notes on the nose and a crisp, fruity palate. It pairs beautifully with olives, Salad Niçoise, and skewered prawns.
So which Angel are you?
Whispering Angel (Majestic, Hedonism, VINVM, Berry Bros & Rudd, Averys, Jeroboams)
Many, but not all started to fall out of love with Whispering Angel due to the explosion of dupes on the market, however I think its rediscovered itself. And Sacha Lichine, founder of Whispering Angel, describes the 2024 vintage as the best to date.
It offers a delicate and intricate aroma profile, featuring fresh strawberries, raspberries, peaches, and citrus fruits like grapefruit and lemon. There are also subtle floral hints, including rose petals. On the palate, this rosé is light-bodied, crisp, and refreshing.
It presents flavours of red berries and melon, with a subtle hint of spice. The wine is dry, with a good level of acidity that balances the fruit flavours and provides a clean, crisp finish.
Rock Angel (Around £27 Vinitas, Friarwood, Majestic; Waitrose)
For a little more money, this one is certainly my preferred choice and one to enjoy with food, all year round.
Bertrand Léon, technical director, describes the 2024 vintage of Rock Angel as having “fine concentration, enveloping texture, and dynamic freshness, which provide both balance and ageing potential”.
Rock Angel 2024 is crafted from Grenache, Cinsault, and Rolle grapes sourced from vines near Château d’Esclans and select parcels throughout the Côtes-de-Provence region.
The wine undergoes six months of ageing in tank and barrel, followed by late bottling to allow extended lees contact. The nose of Rock Angel 2024 features exotic fruit aromas and a rare minerality for a Côtes de Provence. On the palate, it is rich and fresh with a long finish. Pairs beautifully with a variety of seafood and shellfish, including oysters, and spaghetti with clams.
La Balconne Organic Provence Rosé (£18 from M&S and OCADO)
So, I hear on the social media grapevine that this is M&S’ answer to Whispering Angel!
In my opinion, it isn’t, however it is an elegant and sophisticated wine that captures the essence of Provence. A delightful bouquet of white peach, strawberry, and wild herbs. On the palate, it is soft yet complex, with a refreshing crispness that makes it perfect for warm weather. The wine’s mineral edge adds an extra layer of finesse to its bright berry fruit flavours. Enjoy it as an aperitif, or serve it alongside seafood, salads, or cheese.
Anyway, why don’t you buy both and put it to the test?
Lady A Rosé (£15.50 down from £17.50 at OCADO, also available instore at M&S) Crafted by Soho House in collaboration with the prestigious Château La Coste in
Provence, is a standout wine available at both M&S and Ocado. Even Damien Hirst got involved by adding his artistic touch to the bottle and its elegant presentation.
I took this on a recent glamping trip and the first thing my friend said was “that’s a bit peachy!” Lady A Rosé offers a delightful blend of citrus, pink grapefruit, peach, and
raspberry notes.
The wine is light and refreshing, with a long, satisfying finish. Its crisp and clean profile makes it an excellent aperitif and a versatile companion to a variety of dishes, including seafood, salads, charcuterie and a Thai curry.
G de Galoupet 2024 (RRP £22.50 Ocado, Jeroboams, Laithwaites)
For those of you who read my reviews every week, you’ll know I’ve covered this before, but it’s so good, I just had to include it again.
The wine is presented in one of the world’s lightest glass bottles, weighing just 300 grams and is made from 85 per cent recycled glass, significantly reducing its carbon footprint by 50 per cent compared to standard bottles.
G de Galoupet is a blend of 60 per cent Grenache, 15 per cent Cinsault, 10 per cent Rolle, 10 per cent Syrah, and 5 per cent Tibouren – the estate’s signature variety. With aromas of grapefruit and exotic fruits, and a silky, saline, fruity palate, G pairs wonderfully with a variety of fresh dishes, including salads, sushi, white fish, and Mediterranean cuisine.
Now it’s time to move away from Provence…
Ramón Bilbao Rosé (£8.75 from Co-Op)
Inspired by the classic ‘clarete’ wines of Rioja Alta, Ramón Bilbao introduced its first rosé 13 years ago. With the 2024 vintage, this modern classic gets a fresh look.
To mark its 13th year, Ramón Bilbao rosé features a sophisticated new label design
that stands out on the shelves as summer arrives. The silkscreen printed bottle, still depicting Ramón Bilbao Snr’s vinous voyages from a century ago, now allows the wine’s pink hue to shine through, making it a beacon of rosé light on the Co-op’s shelves.
This perfectly pink rosé is a blend of 80 per cent Garnacha and 20 per cent Viura creating an elegant, sophisticated wine with a bit more colour intensity while retaining the combination of citrus, red fruit, and floral notes that the rosé is known for. It pairs wonderfully with pasta, soft cheeses, and white meats.
Plainas Rosé Espadeiro 2024, DOC Sub-Região de Basto (£11.99 Laithwaites)
This is completely new to me…. a pink Vinho Verde! This unique wine is crafted from the Espadeiro grape, a variety rarely found outside Portugal.
Winemaker Francisco Leandro has turned it into a specialty at his Casa Santa Eulalia winery, located in the village of Mondim de Bastao. The juicy strawberry and cherry notes are complemented by a crisp, mineral finish, making it a perfect choice for warm weather and light meals.
Les Dauphins Côtes du Rhône Rosé Réserve 2024 (£9.25 from OCADO)
The Les Dauphins team set out to capture the essence of the Côtes du Rhône with bright berry fruit, versatility, and value-for-money, all wrapped up in a pale pink and fantastically fresh rosé.
The winemakers enthusiastically accepted this challenge, resulting in a delightful addition to their Côtes du Rhône Réserve Red and White wines.
This properly pale pink rosé is a blend of 85 per cent Grenache and 10 per cent Syrah, the backbone of any Côtes du Rhône wine, with a touch of Cinsault for added spice.
This wine offers notes of citrus fruits and summer berries with a good finish. It is perfect for enjoying on a picnic table with summer salads and charcuterie.
