The best rosé wines for a spot of easy drinking over the Bank Holiday weekend

Rosé wines used to vary from a deep, robust colour to wispy, barely visible pink. Now all pink wines are heading to the pale end of the spectrum, but some have more flavour than others. Provence leads the way in quality and price, but there are many wines that can challenge the delicacy and balance of Provence while saving you several pounds at the till.

Here are some best buys on the shelves right now.

Vitis Nostra Pinot Noir Rosé, Italy, Morrisons £5.50:

Rosés made from Pinot Noir tend to be a lot more expensive than this one. With soft, juicy, strawberry fruit and a light, simple style, this is an easy-drinking mid-week wine.

La Vieille Ferme Rosé 2023, Vin de France, Tesco, down from £8.50 to £7.50 until 17 June, Clubcard holders only:

Made by the Perrin family who have been making quality wines in the Rhône and surrounding regions for decades. They also made and launched Ch. Miraval when it was owned by the famous duo, Brad and Angelina. Le Vieille Ferme is Perrin’s own brand, and it is consistently good and great value, with light strawberry fruit and a clear grapefruit, citrus finish.

Unearthed Chiaretto di Bardolino Rosé 2023, Italy, Aldi £7.99:

The light cherry fruit of Bardolino wines from the shores of Lake Garda, used to be on every wine list, but other wines have largely taken their place. Bardolino Chiaretto, which is the rosé version is even more difficult to find, but Aldi have discovered a delicious example and included it in their ‘Unearthed’ range. This is a fresh-tasting wine with raspberry and cherry fruit and a sprinkle of herbs. Pair it with a Panama hat and a deckchair.

The Best Vinho Verde Rosé 2023, Portugal, Morrisons £8:

Made from the Espadeiro grape which is normally used for the relatively rare red Vinho Verde. As a rosé it is terrific, with cranberry and raspberry fruit and almost a touch of spice. This wine has enough body to withstand an ice cube clinking in the glass if the outside temperature is high.

Johann Wolf Pinot Noir Rosé, Pfalz, Germany, Waitrose £10.99 down to £8.24 on a mix six 25% off deal until 4 June:

This comes from top winemaker Ernst Loosen. Pale in colour with gentle redcurrant fruit and just an edge of sweetness balancing the zesty finish, this goes perfectly with spiced prawns or a summer vegetable stir-fry.

Specially Selected La Belle Valleé du Paradis Rosé 2023, IGP Valleé du Paradis, France, Aldi £8.99:

This comes from the eastern foothills of the Pyrenees, made from Grenache, Cinsault and Carignan grapes which blend together to give a light, delicate wine with rather more fruit flavours than its colour suggests. With raspberry and cranberries on the palate, there is a light grip of tannin on the finish which gives it the structure to stand up to a plate of salmon, or spiced prawns.

Taste the Difference Île-de-Beauté Rosé 2023, Sainsbury down from £10.50 to £9 until 15 May:

Île de Beauté is Corsica, home to a whole bunch of unusual grape varieties such as Niellucciu and Sciaccarellu, but it is these two grapes, plus a mix of Syrah, Grenache and Cinsault that give this wine its strawberry, redcurrant, peach and herbal notes. With a rounded texture and a long finish, this is one that can partner anything off the barbecue.

Ch. de Pennautier Rosé 2023, Cabardès, France, Majestic £9.99 on a mix six deal:

A short distance from the fairy-tale city of Carcassonne is the magnificent Ch. de Pennautier, built in 1620 and now owned by the de Lorgeril family who have opened it up to tourists. Bizarrely you can see the ‘travelling’ furniture of King Louis XIII who visited in 1622 and never bothered to take his furniture away. The Lorgeril family have transformed the vineyards and winery at the property and are making exceptional wines. This rosé is a blend of Merlot, Syrah, Cinsault and Grenache and it has juicy red fruit flavours with cranberries and raspberries to the fore. It goes well with a rare steak or a pink lamb chop.

Agapi by Kintonis Greek Rosé 2023, Peleponnese, Majestic £9.99 on a mix six deal:

Greece is making seriously good wines these days, including this floral, strawberry and lemon zest rosé.

Gérard Bertrand Côte des Roses 2023, Languedoc, France, Tesco down from £12 to £10 until 17 June, Clubcard holders only:

Not from Provence, but close by in the Languedoc, made by top producer Gérard Bertrand. This has a designer-style bottle with a rose embossed on its base, and a glass stopper. The wine is good too with delicious strawberry and redcurrant fruit with a long, fresh finish.

Mirabeau Pure Provence Rosé 2023, Côtes de Provence, France, 13%, Booths down from £17 to £12.75 until 4 June:

Stephen and Jeany Cronk escaped from the bustle of London and founded the Mirabeau estate in the sunshine of Provence around 15 years ago. Since then, they have built up a fine reputation for making outstanding rosé wines, some with the Provence designation, but they also source grapes from outside the hallowed region, so they can offer better value for some of their wines. This wine, Pure is from Provence, and it stands out in the range for its clear red berry fruit, gentle acidity and a long, refreshing finish. It is perfect with a summer lunch.

Whispering Angel 2023, Côtes de Provence, Waitrose down from £20.99 to £15.75 on a mix six 25% off deal until 4 June:

This is the wine that really changed attitudes about Provence. With a catchy name, and delicious flavours it has become a fixture on many wine lists, without losing its exclusive cachet. It comes from Ch. d’Esclans, where owner Sacha Lichine and Patrick Leon, the former MD at Ch. Mouton Rothschild, have created a delicious wine from a mix of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Rolle grapes. Delicate in flavour with peach, strawberry and citrus, balanced with freshness and elegance.

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