10 of the world’s finest rosés

Aurea Gran Rosé

• Producer: Marchesi Frescobaldi
• Region: Tuscany
• Country: Italy
• Vintage: 2023
• Grape varieties: 70% Syrah, 30% Vermentino
• ABV: 13%
• Approx. retail price: £40

A serious, pale and bone-dry rosé from the Tuscan coast, this flagship pink wine expression from Marchesi Frescobaldi has been made like a fine white, with hand picking and sorting, whole bunch pressing and then barrel fermentation, featuring 20% new oak, followed by a period of maturation on fine lees. The result is a delicious, creamy textured rosé, with notes of peaches and cherry, pink grapefruit and blood orange, as well as a touch of toasted marshmallow, along with a zesty lemony edge to refresh. (Patrick Schmitt MW)

CHÂTEAU D’ESCLANS ROSÉ 2023

• Producer: Château d’Esclans
• Region: Provence
• Country: France
• Grape varieties: 78% Grenache, 19% Rolle, 3% Tibouren
• ABV: 14%
• Approx. retail price: £40
• Medal: Gold

Made exclusively from grapes grown on the estate, Château d’Esclans Rosé is carefully hand-harvested and chilled almost immediately to preserve freshness. Half of the wine is vinified in demimuids (600-litre oak barrels) and half in stainless steel, all temperature-controlled. Over approximately eight months of ageing before blending, the wine’s lees are stirred to increase richness and fullness. The resulting wine is pale peach-pink in colour, with soft yellow peach and ripe pear fruits and rose petal and cream overlay. Dry, the medium-bodied palate shows fresh acidity and density of flavour, and is layered and textured, with an allspice and nutmeg finish. Delicious with roast pork tenderloin stuffed with champignons and sautéed yellow onions. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)

Rosa Celeste by Quinta da Gaivosa

• Producer: Domingos Alves de Sousa
• Region: Douro
• Country: Portugal
• Vintage: 2023
• Grape varieties: 100% Tinto Cão
• ABV: 12.5%
• Approx. retail price: £55

An exciting find in the world of mostly French and Grenache-based high-end rosés, this barrel-fermented expression hails from Portugal's Douro region – best known as the source of Port – and uses the little-known grapes of Tinta Cao, prized for producing wines with plenty of colour and acidity. In this cases, as a pale rosé, with 12-months in oak, the expression is creamy, even slightly toasty, as well as peachy, and then, on the finish, zesty and refreshing. Indeed, such characters are reminiscent of fine Bordeaux blanc, or white Rioja – it's just that this wine is a pretty pink. (Patrick Schmitt MW)

Château Romassan

• Producer: Domaines Ott
• Region: Provence
• Country: France
• Vintage: 2023
• Grape Varieties: 50% Mourvèdre, 30% Cinsault, 20% Grenache
• ABV: 13.5%
• Approx. retail price: £45

Very pale luminescent pink in colour, with great freshness on the nose, pure and refined, quite restrained in style, with citrus and fennel notes to the fore. It unfurls gracefully on the palate to reveal beautifully delicate texture and pure fruit. A really elegant, complex wine with fresh strawberries and candied peel on the finish. (David Round MW)

BODEGAS BIANCHI MARIA CARMEN ROSÉ 2023

• Producer: Bodegas Bianchi
• Region: Mendoza
• Country: Argentina
• Grape varieties: 35% Pinot Noir, 30% Cabernet Franc, 25% Merlot, 10% Malbec
• ABV: 12%
• Approx. retail price: £38

Founded by Italian immigrant Valentín Bianchi in 1928 to fulfil his ambition of a family winery, this eponymous producer established a reputation for high quality and continued the pursuit of under the direction of Valentín’s son, Don Enzo. Nowadays, Valentín’s three grandsons and their cousins, the Stradella family, are the owners and managers. Pale peach in colour, the wine displays concentrated yellow peach and white cherry, with delicate vanilla and herbal overlay. Dry but sweet-fruited, the medium-bodied palate has fresh acidity, delicious juiciness and a long finish. A really good match for thick, slightly spicy snapper, catfish and crabmeat chowder, Virginia-style. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)

LES CLANS 2023

• Producer: Château d’Esclans
• Region: Provence
• Country: France
• Grape varieties: 52% Grenache, 48% Rolle
• ABV: 14%
• Approx. retail price: £58

A powerhouse of a pink drink, Les Clans is a four-wheel-drive rosé that could go anywhere. Why? It’s got this wonderful trait of being rich and creamy, yet delicate and refreshing, making it suitable for sipping on its own or pairing with a wide range of foods, from cured meats to hard cheeses, grilled fish to root vegetables. But should you savour it without accompaniments, you will enjoy the mix of toasted marshmallow and pink grapefruit, along with peach and strawberry, and a lingering note of grilled nuts and citrus zest on the finish. (Patrick Schmitt MW)

MARGUERITES EN PROVENCE ROSÉ 2024

• Producer: Château Sainte Marguerite
• Region: Provence
• Country: France
• Grape varieties: 60% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 20% Rolle
• ABV: 13%
• Approx. retail price: £55

About as good as high-end unoaked pink wine gets, this organic top expression from Provençal producer Château Sainte Marguerite is so delicious to sip and savour. Soft yet mouthwatering, there is a richness from just-ripe fruit, but also freshness from subtle citric notes and a touch of saltiness. Flavours range from wild strawberry to peach and pear, and even a touch of watermelon, followed by grapefruit pith and a hint of lemon zest. The only downside? It’s a challenge to drink slowly. (Patrick Schmitt MW)

GARRUS 2023

• Producer: Château d’Esclans
• Region: Provence
• Country: France
• Grape varieties: 67% Grenache, 33% Rolle
• ABV: 14%
• Approx. retail price: £100

A wine that wows for its subtle complexity, Garrus is the ultimate rosé, and a drink for all occasions, impressing for its instantly appealing characters, as well as intriguing complexity. Whether you sip it slowly or find yourself swallowing it quickly, you’ll experience its complementary layers of flavours, starting with fresh ripe yellow and red fruits, followed by creamy, nutty notes, then some vanilla and toast, and finally lingering tinges of orange zest and grapefruit pith, with a touch of grilled lemon to boot. (Patrick Schmitt MW)

CLOS DU TEMPLE 2023

• Producer: Gérard Bertrand
• Region: Languedoc-Rousillon
• Country: France
• Grape varieties: 46% Cinsault, 38% Grenache, 10%Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre, 1% Viognier
• ABV: 14%
• Approx. retail price: £250

A massive rosé that won’t fail to impress, whether it’s the packaging or the feeling it provides on the palate. As soon as it hits the tongue, there’s this lovely mix of creaminess and fruitiness, quickly followed by a delicate zestiness, even chalkiness. In terms of flavours, there’s plenty of ripe yellow fruit, from peach to apricot, as well as gently bitter citrus, allied to barrel-derived characters of vanilla and toast, before one is left with lingering and moreish notes of pineapple, marshmallow and burnt orange. (Patrick Schmitt MW)