The Esquire Guide to Rosé Wine (Plus 20 Bottles Worth Buying)

The freshest of the fresh (or purest of the pure, we should say), you’re safe with any of the Mirabeau range but this edition is crisp, clean, elegant and just perfect at the start of a summer evening.

Bone dry, you get fiendishly delicate flavours and racing acidity that's balanced to perfection. Enjoy on its own, or as an aperitif with salty charcuterie and olives.

75cl, 13%

I mean, have you even been on a rooftop bar if you haven’t also supped on Whispering Angel at the same time? Yes, this is the trendiest of rosé brands, but there is substance behind the style and Rock Angel is the newest (and most premium) member of the clan, all made by Sacha Lichine of Château d’Esclans.

Pure Provence, made for the style-conscious, you get gentle fruit flavours (stone fruit in particular) with a hint of strawberry and a good dose of refreshing lemon to even it all out.

75cl, 14%

Aka, the organic “Brangelina” rosé. Sure, it’s doubtful the estranged couple are out in the vineyard selecting the grapes themselves but they’ve had the foresight to put a top wine producer in charge (the esteemed Perrin family of Châteauneuf-du-Pape fame), and it’s clearly paid off.

Previous vintages have sold out in a matter of hours, so we’d recommend getting hold of a case of this sharpish to enjoy over summer. You’ll be rewarded with rich, intense fruit and well-balanced acidity.

75cl, 13%

Fresh from Daylesford’s organic vineyard in sunny Provence, this is a blend of grenache, cinsault and cabernet sauvignon. What does that taste like, we hear you ask? Imagine a glass full of white blossom, cherry and Provençal herbs, spliced through with refreshing acidity and you’ll get the gist.

75cl, 13.5%

Just your classic Provence rosé here, calling out for a good home. Rumor doesn't reinvent the wheel, but with notes of grapefruit and peach, it's perfectly refreshing on a hot day — and what more do you really want?

75cl, 13%

This is a classic example of Provençal rosé; exceptionally easy drinking with bright citrus peel, fresh almond and a light white floral lilt to finish. There’s plenty of depth to keep things interesting – whether you’re serving with or without food – and the refreshing salinity makes this a drop to stock up on ahead of the heatwave.

Go big or go home, that’s what we say. Some days (or parties) call for a magnum of rosé, and when they do, Aix is here to oblige. It’s a super-fresh vino with bags of stone fruit and citrus on the finish. And if you’re not feeling quite so flash (party pooper), it’s also available as a regular-sized bottle.

150cl, 13%

Working with a classic Provencal blend of grenache, cinsault, syrah and rolle grapes, Mirabeau Nude Pink makes for an easy summer sipper. With confected strawberry and sweet rhubarb at the fore, we recommend chilling it right down before serving alongside savoury picnic spreads and British strawberries doused with fresh cream.

75cl, 12.5

Chances are, you’re already familiar with Minuty — the brand spearheaded the trend towards the palest pinks some 30 years ago. Made from a classic Provencal blend of grenache, syrah and cinsault, this rosé's got a markedly Mediterranean flair, with elegant minerality typical of the region. Food-wise, it goes nicely with grilled meat and stone fruit desserts.

75cl, 13%

This outstanding rosé has plenty of summer fruit, with a bright and perky herbaceous back note. A unique blend featuring corvina, trebbiano and carménère grapes and partially fermented in oak, this rosé would make a great aperitif but is far from simple. We love the smooth, lingering acidity in all seasons.

75cl, 13%

Whether entertaining or being entertained, crowd-pleasing blush from the British William Chase portfolio is a failsafe option for dinner parties (particularly if goat's cheese is on the menu). With strawberry on the nose and a dry, peachy palate, you’re not just paying for the slinky glass-stoppered bottle with this one.

75cl, 13%

If they STILL won’t let you in after what you did last time, grabbing a bottle of Lady A for the home bar is the next best thing. Described as “a magical pairing of art and wine”, Damien Hirst has designed the bottle and Château La Coste tends the organic vines. If a light and thirst-quenching is the order of the day, Lady A ticks all the boxes.

75cl, 12.5%

Want to impress? This premium, organic rosé consistently comes out top among experts, with an impressive collection of awards under its belt. Taste-wise you can expect lychee, mango and passionfruit with a savoury edge. Gift it to someone deserving and await your praise.

75cl, 14%

Hailing from Mas de Cadenet, Quatre Vin offers ripe tropical fruit on the nose, with layers of bright citrus and hedgerow strawberries. There’s a light floral lilt and lengthy finish, too, which all work together to create a harmonious and exceptionally easy drinking rosé.

75cl, 12%

Including Whispering Angel in a round-up of rosés may not be breaking new ground, but the first vintage set the benchmark for classic Côtes de Provence rosé back in 2006 — and it continues to do so, nearly two decades on. Despite its meteoric rise to fame, Whispering Angel remains true to the style that made its name, with crisp citrus, generous red fruit and thirst-quenching acidity.

75cl, 13%

Harvey Nichols’ wine selection has a stellar reputation — and with good reason. Delicate and refreshing with a light floral lilt, this rosé is made for long sessions in the sun. A touch of tart cranberry makes it a fine option for food pairing, too – try serving it alongside spicy sea bream ceviche, Vietnamese summer rolls or prawn tacos topped with mango salsa.

75cl, 12.5

This blend of grenache and cinsault is about as close as you’ll get to a sun-soaked August afternoon – without dusting off your passport, that is. Clean and fresh with citrus, lychee and redcurrants at the fore, Amie is the kind of rosé you could happily drink all day. Chill it right down and serve as an aperitif alongside prosciutto-wrapped melon or spring asparagus dressed in a lemon vinaigrette.

75cl, 12%

The Barossa Valley may be famed for its bold reds, but this summer-ready rosé by Turkey Flat proves its lighter styles can rival Provence’s big hitters. Crisp and clean with little residual sweetness, the citrus profile (pink grapefruit, lime, and tangerine peel) is intriguing and well-integrated with building spice, making it the perfect sparring partner for spaghetti alle vongole.

75cl, 12.5%

Ready to turn things up a notch? So far we’ve been pootling around Provence, shades on, top down, wind in our hair. Over in Spain, Selfridges has sourced this ballsy blush made up of sustainably produced grenache. You’ll get notes of strawberry, pear and vanilla, with zingy, thirst-quenching acidity on the finish.

75cl, 13.5%

We’re well aware this deep-hued rosé goes against every primal urge you have for a pale pink from Provence — but trust us on this one. The pinot noir offers up a heavier, fruit-forward experience, drenched in rich lemon and lime. Team this English drop with seafood and thank us later.

75cl, 12%