16 best rosé wines that aren’t just for summer sipping

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The sunshine might not have arrived just yet but if you reserve the best rosé wines for summer, you are missing out, as a drop of the pink stuff can be enjoyed year-round.

Styles of rosé vary enormously from region to region, let alone country to country. The French Provençal output remains the most notable and of the most reliable quality, so, you’ll find plenty of such options included here. However, Spain and Italy also produce brilliant bottles, not to mention Greece, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the US, Austria, and even England.

People often debate whether a lighter or darker hue is better but the truth is they both bring totally different flavours to the table. Using the ‘skin contact’ method, rosé gets its colour when the grape skins sit in the freshly pressed grape juice for anywhere between two to 24 hours (sometimes longer).

The eventual pigment will also depend on the grape used and how dark the skins are. Cabernet sauvignon has a super dark purple tone, whereas pinot grigio has an extremely light pink saturation, for example. While darker rosés typically offer deeper, bolder and more concentrated flavours, lighter variations can be super refreshing.

When made well, rosé is seductively fruity and elegant and makes an underrated companion for a variety of dishes. So, without further ado, let’s dive into a plethora of pink.

How we tested the best rosé wines

(Adrian Smith)

The best way to enjoy a glass of rosé is when it’s nice and chilled but not too cold. Typically, 12-14C is the sweet spot, so, that’s what we opted for during testing. Each rosé was tasted around three times (spitting, not swallowing) and rated based on taste, texture, finish, and overall experience. Keep reading to find out which ones are worthy of a spot in your wine rack.

The best rosé wines for 2024 are: