From classic Provence favourites to standout bottles
Penny Sharp is a WSET level 3 qualified wine specialist with over four years in the drinks industry; passionate that wine doesn’t have to be stuffy or pretentious, the key factor is whether you enjoy what you’re drinking.
With summer fast approaching there really is no better feeling than sitting outside with some good friends, good chat and an even better glass of rosé.
However, where do you begin when it comes to choosing the perfect rosé? It is widely believed that the paler a rosé, the crisper and drier, but in actuality the colour only provides an indication of the amount of time the wine has spent in contact with its grape skins. The longer the skins are in contact the deeper the colour and more concentrated the flavour, but it has no effect on the sweetness of the wine.
With spring officially in full swing, I have been on a mission to find the best rosé the West End has to offer and I can assure you, I’ve certainly not been disappointed.
Penny’s Perfect Picks
Starting off with the classic: Côte de Provence, it has been a firm favourite style of rosé globally and for good reason. It’s crisp, dry and subtle flavours makes for the perfect pairing with sunshine. I however have struggled to see past my rosé go to: Peyrassol ‘Les Commandeurs, Organic Côte de Provence’ (Majestic Wine, £18). It has the perfect combination of freshness on the palate with enough strawberry and citrus fruit flavour to keep it interesting without sacrificing dryness. I personally love pairing it with prawns either grilled or in a tomato and lemon linguini.
For those feeling a little bit more adventurous, I have become more and more impressed with the quality of wine from Greece available in the UK market and the Theopetra estate Xinomavro Rosé (The Good Spirits Company, £21.99) is no exception. With the most beautiful salmon colour in the glass paired with stunning notes of peach and raspberry, it really is perfect for summer. I usually find Greek white and rosé has a distinctive, almost salty, minerality and this is no exception, allowing it to be dry enough to convert even the most dedicated Côte de Provence fans.
Explore
I encourage you to pair this summer’s rosé with a side of local expertise and the bragging rights of putting your friends onto their new favourite. Whether you lean more towards crisp and fresh or slightly fruitier, don’t hesitate to explore your local wine shop or ask for a recommendation. There really is a world of possibilities within rosé and some real gems if you look slightly off the beaten track.
Pop into West End wine shops and see what catches your eye. A quick chat with staff and a bit of browsing can lead you to your next go-to bottle.
