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The best rosés under £25 for drinking this summer

08 August 2022 By Patrick Schmitt

Having sampled over 200 wines as part of The Global Rosé Masters in June this year, we can now bring you 15 top picks under £25 for drinking this summer, featuring refreshing salmon-coloured drops from Tuscany to Santorini, as well as southern France – including two celebrity-backed brands.

Costa Toscana Rosato Organic

Producer: Piccini
Region: Tuscany
Country: Italy
Grape varieties: 90% Sangiovese, 10% Syrah
Vintage: 2021
Closure: screwcap
Residual sugar: 9g/l
Approx. retail price: £9
Medal: Gold

This gently sweet style of rosé is bursting with flavours of morello cherries and fresh grapes, along with a hint of orange blossom, ripe pear and dried herbs. With a fine phenolic grip to the finish, there’s a balancing dry sensation to offset the 9g/l of residual sugar in this crowd-pleasing, inexpensive organic rosé. (Patrick Schmitt MW)

Invivo X, SJP, Sud de France Rosé

Producer: Invivo X, Sarah Jessica Parker Wine Collaboration
Region: Sud de France
Country: France
Grape varieties: 60% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, 10% Syrah
Abv: 13.5%
Vintage: 2021
Closure: screwcap
Residual sugar: Less than 3g/l
Approx. retail price: £11
Medal: Gold

Source of an excellent-value delicately fruity style of dry rosé is this southern French sample from the Invivo X, Sarah Jessica Parker Wine Collaboration. It’s very pale salmon pink, with notes of ripe pear and white peach, complemented by crunchier redcurrant notes and a lime zest lift on the finish. In short, it tastes similar to fine Provençal rosé, but with a slightly lower price. (Patrick Schmitt MW)

Petricek Niederöstereich Zweigelt Primeur Rosé

Producer: Petricek
Region: Niederöstereich (Lower Austria)
Country: Austria
Grape variety: 100% Zweigelt
Abv: 12.5%
Vintage: 2021
Closure: Screwcap
Residual sugar: 5g/l
Approx. retail price: £9.99
Medal: Gold – Rosé Masters 2022

From the youngest generation of these family-owned and worked vineyards in the northwestern part of Niederösterreich comes this juicy rosé made from 100% Zweigelt. Pale cherry in hue, the wine is just off-dry with bright strawberry and red cherry fruit and a tangerine lift, brisk acidity and a bit of grip in support. Easy-drinking, well-balanced wine perfect for a summer afternoon picnic in the garden. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)

Château Coussin, Famille Sumeire

Producer: Château Coussin
Region: Provence
Country: France
Grape varieties: 60% Grenache, 40% Syrah
Vintage: 2021
Closure: cork
Residual sugar: 0.5g/l
Approx. retail price: £16.50
Medal: Gold

This brilliant alternative to the famous brands of Provence offers a juicy-fresh taste of the fine rosé-making property that is Château Coussin. There’s a Viognier-like peach-and-apricot richness to the palate, complemented by notes of blood orange to bring a pleasing, soft acidity, and then a touch of wet stone on the finish. (Patrick Schmitt MW)

Kylie Minogue Collection, Côtes de Provence Rosé

Producer: LGI Wines
Region: Provence
Country: France
Grape varieties: 60% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, 8% Syran, 2% Rolle
Abv: 13.5%
Vintage: 2021
Closure: Natural cork
Residual sugar: 0.3g/l
Approx. retail price: £18
Medal: Gold

This Provençal rosé represents another hit from Kylie, following her recent success in our Global Wine Masters with her Chardonnay – made by Western Australia’s Howard Park – and Pinot Noir from Yarra Valley, crafted by De Bortoli, both of which also gained Golds. Made to complement her entry-level Vin de France rosé, this pricier pink wine hails from Côtes de Provence, uses mostly Grenache in the blend, and is bone dry in style with a very pale salmon pink appearance. Blended with the help of LGI Wines, it’s a delicate, pretty wine, with flavours ranging from fresh grapefruit to blood orange, along with a hint of dried herbs and lemon zest. (Patrick Schmitt MW)

Whispering Angel

Producer: Caves d’Esclans
Region: Provence
Country: France
Grape varieties: 51% Grenache, 22% Cinsault, 5% Rolle, 22% Others
Abv: 13.5%
Vintage: 2021
Closure: Natural cork
Residual sugar: 0.3g/l
Approx. retail price: £19
Medal: Gold

Significant production growth for this success story of a pink wine brand has not diminished the quality, or so it seems for Provence’s Whispering Angel, which came out as a class leader, picking up a Gold in this year’s blind tasting. It’s an excellent example of a pale dry rosé, mixing soft ripe fruit with a chalky dry refreshing edge. In terms of flavour profile, there’s white-fleshed peach and pear followed by redcurrant, citrus zest and a delicate herbal edge to bring additional interest to the persistent finish. (Patrick Schmitt MW)

Chivite Las Fincas Rosado 2021, 3 Riberas IGP

Producer: J. Chivite Family Estates
Region: 3 Riberas IGP
Country: Spain
Grape varieties: 70% Garnacha, 30% Tempranillo
Abv: 13.0%
Vintage: 2021
Closure: Cork
Approx. retail price: £16
Medal: Gold– Rosé Masters 2022

From the northern continental climate of Navarra, this J. Chivite wine is named for the three different areas sub-zones in which the grapes are grown: Ribera Alta, Baja Montaña and Ribera Baja. The wine, one of the very best rosados from Spain, has plenty of cranberry and watermelon fruit with dried apricot and nectarine lift. Dry, middle-weight with zesty acidity balancing the quite high alcohol, the little bit of astringent ‘grip’ adds texture and length. Quite a serious rosado. Perfect for pinxtos in the local bars, although the wine will also work with Asian foods. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)

Maison Gutowski Grande Cuvée 2021 Côtes-de-Provence AOP

Producer: Maison Gutowski
Region: Provence
Country: France
Grape varieties: 40% Grenache, 35% Cinsault, 15% Syrah, 10% Rolle
Abv: 13.5%
Vintage: 2021
Closure: Cork
Approx. retail price: £24
Medal: Gold– Rosé Masters 2022

Grapes from selected parcels on the schist and clay-limestone soils of the Massif des Maures produce a delightful, almost ephemeral, wine. As is normal for Provençal rosé, the wine has a pale peach colour and crunchy red fruits with rhubarb crumble and rose petal accents. Medium-bodied, the wine has superb concentration, lovely definition and brisk acidity with apricot and lemon-lime citrus nuances coming through on the palate. This is a serious wine destined for fine dining; lobster Newburg or salmon soufflé are dishes of choice. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)

Ultimate Provence 2021 Côtes-de-Provence AOP

Producer: Ultimate Provence
Region: Provence
Country: France
Grape varieties: 30% Cinsault, 30% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 10% Rolle
Abv: 13.5%
Vintage: 2021
Closure: Cork
Approx. retail price: £21
Medal: Master

Owned by two Monaco-based architects, Emil Humbert and Christophe Poyet, Ultimate Provence is more than wine. A modern hand-crafted destination hotel and spa overlooking the vineyards provides the Ultimate Experience. No less the wine: UP, as it is endearingly known, has a very pale baby-pink hue, just ripe raspberry, strawberry, redcurrants and even blackberry flavours with a spun-sugar overlay, excellent intensity and lingering finish. Very moreish. As the Guide Michelin would say, ‘Worth the detour.’ (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)

Domaine La Grande Banquière Moment Suspendu 2021 Côtes-de-Provence AOP

Producer: Domaine La Grande Banquière
Region: Provence
Country: France
Grape varieties: 75% Grenache, 15% Cinsault, 5% Vermentino (Rolle), 5% Syrah
Abv: 13.5%
Vintage: 2021
Closure: Cork
Approx. retail price: £20
Medal: Gold – Rosé Masters 2022

At the foot of Mont Saint-Victoire, made famous by Cézanne’s 19^th century art, at the end of an allée bordered by cypress trees and oleander lies this beautiful domaine with distant views towards the Mediterranean. Bio-diversity is key and this wine demonstrates the subtle and complex beauty of its birthplace. Pale pink-peach in colour, the wine shows vibrant raspberry and strawberry fruit with hints of cedarwood, nutmeg and cinnamon and lemon blossom. Mid-weight, the savoury palate continues the fruit and spicy oak, all very nicely balanced by crisp acidity and restrained alcohol. A delicious wine that works with pissaladière as well as with local seafood. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)

Diane by Jacques Lurton Rosé

Producer: Les Vignobles André
Lurton Region: Bordeaux
Country: Fance
Vintage: 2021
Approx. retail price: £15

This fine drop serves as a wonderful reminder to pinkwine sippers that Bordeaux can be the source of delicious rosés. Blending Cabernet and Merlot with a touch of Semillon, there’s plenty of red berry fruit, some plum and pear, white-fleshed peach and a creamy character too, even a drop of vanilla essence, before the wine ends with a firm fresh dry finish. (Patrick Schmitt MW)

Domaine Royal de Jarras Tete de Cuvée Gris de Gris Bio

Producer: Domaine Royal de Jarras
Region: Sable de Camargue
Country: France
Vintage: 2021
Approx. retail price: £15

If you haven’t tried a Grenache Gris, particularly one made in this style – where the ‘gris’ or pink-grey skins of the grape are used to colour the juice – Irecommend this wine. Made from very old bushvine Grenache Gris in the sandy soils of the Camargue, it is an intriguing, oily glass of wine with a remarkably refreshing edge. Pear and white-fleshed peach is offset by pink grapefruit zest. (Patrick Schmitt MW)

Grace

Producer: Anhydrous Winery
Region: Cyclades Santorini
Country: Greece
Vintage: 2021
Approx. retail price: £24

It was a joy to unearth a delicious and distinctive rosé that offered something completely different from the usual Gold medallists. Using native Greek grapes, red Mandilaria and white Aidani from Santorini, this pale onion-skin-coloured wine has a refreshing citric character, with layers of zesty fruit, from pink grapefruit to ripe orange, with a tangerine, lemon and rock salt character to the finish. (Patrick Schmitt MW)

Château La Gordonne ‘Summertime’ BIO, Côtes de Provence AOP 2021

Producer: Château La Gordonne
Region: Côtes de Provence
Country: France
Grape varieties: 70% Grenache, 10% Cinsault, 10% Mourvèdre, 10% Rolle
Abv: 13.5%
Vintage: 2021
Closure: Cork
Residual sugar: 2g/l
Approx. retail price: £18
Medal: Master

Inspired by the rose garden at Château La Gordonne, this wine is pale pink-peach in colour. The aromas also echo some of the 1652 rose bushes in the garden with crushed rose petals accenting cranberry and watermelon. Succulent on the palate, mid-weight and dry, the vibrant fruit is underpinned by crisp acidity and a bit of grip. Excellent definition and length. Perfect wine for scallop ceviche or poached salmon with cucumber garnish. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)

BY.OTT

Producer: Domaines Ott
Region: Provence
Country: France
Vintage: 2021
Approx. retail price: £20
Medal: Master

A benchmark for fresh-tasting, unoaked, relatively affordable fine French rosé, By.Ott has proved a consistent class-leader in our annual competition, and again, was the top-scorer in its category. There’s raspberry and cherry fruit, a touch of dried herb, peach, pear and a lingering mix of orange zest and salt on the finish to make this a particularly moreish drop. (Patrick Schmitt MW)

About the competition

With high-quality judges and a unique sampling process, The Global Rosé Masters provides a chance for your wines to star.

The 2022 competition was judged on 16 June at Aquavit, London, employing experienced judges. The top wines were awarded Gold, Silver, or Bronze medals according to their result, and those expressions that stood out as being outstanding in their field received the ultimate accolade – the title of Rosé Master. This report features the medal winners only.

Please visit The Global Masters website for more information, or, to enter future competitions – giving you the chance to feature online and in print – please call: +44 (0) 20 7803 2420 or email Sophie Raichura at: sophie@thedrinksbusiness.com

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