Five fine rosés from Provence

During a tour of Provence in springtime this year I blind-tasted a selection of new vintage releases, from which I have selected a top five, ranging from the light and bright to the full and complex, including an oak-aged version made from a rare, native grape. Aside from a few barrel-influence wines that had seen an extra few months maturation in oak, all the samples were from 2024. Not only did this ensure that the wines were bright and fresh, but also – due to the cooler and wetter nature of the vintage – generally light in body, with fairly firm acidities, and, notably, lower abvs of around 12.5%. In general terms, the best examples displayed a wonderful balance between a soft, creamy mid-palate richness and a citric, palate-cleansing finish. Flavour-wise, my top-scoring rosés had fresh fruit, that tended to be white-fleshed – be it cherry or peach and pear – complemented by notes of orange zest and pink grapefruit. On that topic, I find that Provençal rosés may be pink – and generally a similar shade to pale poached salmon ­– but rarely taste of red fruit. So, if you are looking for jammier, strawberry-tasting wines, then such styles tend to hail from other sources, such as Navarra or Rioja in Spain, where they are also usually more deeply-coloured. Finally, my top wine of the tasting was notable for have a little bit of oak-influence, as well as incorporating two-thirds Tibouren, an indigenous grape of the region that yields full-bodied wines, with notes of apricot and tangerine, as well as some subtle peppery spice. Made by Chateau Paquette, this rosé – called Themis – is organic, and hails from an eastern area of Côtes de Provence, called Fréjus, where Tibouren is a speciality. Read on to see a handful of my favourite wines, which followed a tasting of around 30 new releases from the region on 10 March this year. All the wines were served ‘blind’, meaning I had no knowledge of the producer, and the tasting took place at the Maison des Vins Côtes de Provence in Les Arcs sur Argens. Meanwhile, for a broader range of rosés, please click here to see all the medallists from The Global Rosé Masters 2025.

Château Sainte Marguerite, Marguerites en Provence Rosé, Cru classé, Côtes de Provence, 2024

A really fine expression of Grenache-dominant, organic, unoaked rosé, with its mouth-filling flavours of white cherry, peach and pear, complemented by notes of blood orange and bitter lemon. In short, a lovely, layered, powerful-but-refreshing rosé with an appealing mix of white-fleshed fruit and citrus.

• Approx. RRP: £45

Rumor Rosé, Côtes de Provence, 2024

Made using a range of the classic grapes of Provence, with Grenache being dominant, this very pale rosé is zesty and a touch chalky, with a core of peach and cherry, and a finish of grapefruit pith and bitter lemon. In short a fairly light and very bright rosé with plenty of refreshing appeal.

• Approx. RRP: £27

Domaine Saint Mitre, Cuvée M Rosé, Côteaux Varois en Provence, 2024

A good-value find from Côteaux Varois en Provence, Cuvée M from Domaine Saint Mitre is a super pale rosé with a delicate set of complementary flavours, from peach and pear to grapefruit and orange zest. Adding to its appeal is some mid-palate weight as well as a bone-dry, chalky-fresh finish, that’s mouth-watering, without being bitter.

• Approx. RRP: £15

Chateau de L’Escarelle, Les Deux Anges Rosé, AOP Côteaux Varois en Provence, 2024

A seriously good, relatively-affordable, organic, unoaked rosé, Les Deux Anges from Château de L’Escarelle is a find for anyone seeking something other than the famous brands from Provence. Typically pale poached salmon pink with delicate aromas of white-fleshed fruit, the palate then reveals ripe notes of peach and apricot, followed by ruby grapefruit and a touch of refreshing bitter lemon. Lingering, zesty, but with some soft creaminess, this is a really appealing pink wine for sub £20.

• Approx. RRP: £19

Château Paquette, Thémis Rosé, Fréjus, Côtes de Provence, 2023

A fascinating, organic rosé that’s just starting to show a touch of development, with characters of dried peach and tangerine, allied to a note of creamy vanilla from a short period of oak-ageing. Texturally this is quite a powerful pink wine, with an oily mid-palate, but then a soft, orange-like acidity on the finish, with a fine dusting of tannins, which give a dry sensation just after you’ve swallowed it. While a complex and delicious rosé – made with native Tibouren and a third Mourvèdre – it’s probably one that’s better-suited to sipping with food than drinking on its own.

• Approx. RRP: £24