Rosé Wines

Rosé has been one of the great growth stories of recent years, and for good reason. 

A number of factors have contributed: drinkers have enjoyed increasing exposure to the pleasures of rosé on holiday in the Club Med countries; rosés have become paler, fresher and drier, helping to shed the old associations of dark, soupy and sweet examples (remember the old Mateus Rosé); and perhaps warmer summers here have helped - is there anything nicer than sitting in a garden on an English summer evening with a bottle of rosé?

We've always taken the view that the French make the best rosés in the world, at any price level, and there is plenty of choice on offer. The finest examples come from Provence - our Bandol from Domaine de la Ribotte is sensational, and Quatre Tours’ Signature example is delicious too; but in summer we may also offer fine examples from Bordeaux (based on Cabernet Sauvignon, Franc and Merlot); the Loire (Sancerre rosé from Pinot Noir and others from Cabernet Franc); and especially the Languedoc, source of brilliant value rosés usually based on the Rhône grapes of Syrah, Grenache and Cinsault.

Each year we look at Spanish and Italian rosés too, and may ship some if we like them. However we tend to be more circumspect with New World rosés. First, overall standards are simply not as high as in Europe; and even where success is achieved, there is a problem in timing. Almost all rosé is best enjoyed young - you want to drink the latest vintage. However, it’s hard to get Southern Hemisphere wines here before the English summer is almost over - so they then sit in our warehouse unloved all winter.

A word on winemaking: classic rosé is made only from red grapes - but because the colour in wine comes largely from the skins, rosé is usually made by taking the crushed grape juice off the skins after just a few hours of soaking. Note that deeper colour does NOT imply sweetness, simply a longer period of maceration on the skins. On the whole the rosés we offer are dry wines - do consumers realise those sweet blush Zinfandel rosés from California are positively fattening in their sugar content?

Finally, whilst most rosé is enjoyed on its own as an aperitif, dry styles are fine to accompany a wide range of food, especially grilled fish and prawns; and examples with just a little bit of ripe sweetness make an excellent pairing to spicy food, notably curries. A rosé has more fruit than a white, so can stand up to the strong flavours better than a white, but served cold it’s equally refreshing.

Cherrier Père et fils, Sancerre Rosé, 2022

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Cherrier Père et fils, Sancerre Rosé, 2022

100% Pinot Noir and shows the full nobility inherent in this variety. Pale and bright. Wild...

Style

Dry > Sweet

OriginFrance

RegionLoire Valley

ColourRosé

ABV13%

Bottle75cl

CodeROS322

GrapePinot Noir

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Laurent-Perrier, Champagne, Rose, NV

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Laurent-Perrier, Champagne, Rose, NV

This iconic rosé is made from 100% Pinot Noir from the finest Crus in Champagne. Rich and...

Style

Dry > Sweet

OriginFrance

RegionChampagne

ColourRosé

ABV12%

Bottle75cl

CodeLPR5NV

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Le Tende, Chiaretto di Bardolino, Classico, 2022

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Le Tende, Chiaretto di Bardolino, Classico, 2022

A charming Chiaretto (the name simply means “pale” in Italian) from 70% Corvina Veronese,...

Style

Dry > Sweet

OriginItaly

RegionPiedmont

ColourRosé

ABV12.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeLET522

GrapeCorvina Veronese, Rondinella & Sangiovese

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MAGNUM Chateau Leoube, Cotes de Provence, Origine de Leoube 2022

We tasted the extensive Léoube range before settling on this, their principal wine. The estate...

Style

Dry > Sweet

OriginFrance

RegionProvence

ColourRosé

ABV13%

Bottle150cl

CodeLEO922

GrapeGrenache, Cinsault & Syrah

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Chateau Leoube, Cotes de Provence, Origine de Leoube 2022

Largely Grenache and Cinsault, with a little Syrah and Mourvèdre. Delicate pale pink. Berry...

Style

Dry > Sweet

OriginFrance

RegionProvence

ColourRosé

ABV13%

Bottle75cl

CodeLEO522B

GrapeGrenache, Cinsault & Syrah

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Rock Angel, d’Esclans, Côtes de Provence, 2021

A grand rosé based on Grenache, powerful and gastronomic, sitting well above Whispering Angel...

Style

Dry > Sweet

OriginFrance

RegionProvence

ColourRosé

ABV13.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeROA521

GrapeGrenache

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Thomas-Hatte, Champagne Rosé, Brut, NV

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Thomas-Hatte, Champagne Rosé, Brut, NV

Based on Pinot Meunier. Pale pink. Red fruit and creamy nougat notes. Gentle and elegant: very...

Style

Dry > Sweet

OriginFrance

RegionChampagne

ColourRosé

ABV12%

Bottle75cl

CodeHAT5NV

GrapePinot Meunier, Chardonnay & Pinot Noir

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Domaine de la Ribotte, Bandol Rose, Cuvee Anais, 2022

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Jancis Robinson
Domaine de la Ribotte, Bandol Rose, Cuvee Anais, 2022

Cuvée Anaïs on a label tied-on round the neck. Long-standing favourite on the Stone Vine &...

Style

Dry > Sweet

OriginFrance

RegionBandol

ColourRosé

ABV13.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeRIB522

GrapeMourvedre & Monastrell

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Clos Floridene, Le Rosé de Floridene, Bordeaux, 2022

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Clos Floridene, Le Rosé de Floridene, Bordeaux, 2022

Clos Floridène, in Pujols sur Ciron in the Graves region, was established on just two hectares...

Style

Dry > Sweet

OriginFrance

RegionBordeaux

ColourRosé

ABV13.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeFLO522

GrapeMerlot & Cabernet Sauvignon

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Chapelle du Seuil, Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence, 2022

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Chapelle du Seuil, Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence, 2022

A characteristic Provençal blend based on Grenache and Syrah with Cinsault and Rolle...

Style

Dry > Sweet

OriginFrance

RegionProvence

ColourRosé

ABV13%

Bottle75cl

CodeCPS422

GrapeGrenache, Syrah & Cinsault

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MAGNUM Chateau du Seuil, Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence, 2022

Organically farmed since 2020,  the vineyards lie north of Aix-en-Provence on plains 350m...

Style

Dry > Sweet

OriginFrance

RegionProvence

ColourRosé

ABV13%

Magnum150cl

CodeSEU922

GrapeGrenache, Syrah & Cinsault

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Le Petit Pont Rose, IGP Pays d'Oc, 2022

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Le Petit Pont Rose, IGP Pays d'Oc, 2022

We sell far more of the Petit Pont Rosé than we do of the equivalent white and red added...

Style

Dry > Sweet

OriginFrance

RegionLanguedoc

ColourRosé

ABV12.5%

Bottle75cl

CodePEP522

GrapeGrenache & Cinsault

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