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4 months ago
Pink wine from UK shores
While we’ve proved ourselves as producers of world class bottle fermented sparkling wine, we’re a little less known for our still wines – some of which are fabulous and only getting better. But can we match the rosé of Provence?
For good rosé you need to start with healthy, ripe red grapes, with plenty of acidity and plenty of colour in the skin. In Provence they use many of the grapes that make up the big Southern French reds – Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and others, but here in England we’re all about our Champagne varietals, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. We’re able to make some superb still red wines and it seems some superb rose wines too, particularly in Sussex and Kent which are emerging as the regions to watch for still rosé.
Here are my top picks for rosé wine to drink this summer – with a few exceptional pink sparklers in there too.
Fifty Summers Rosé 2022, West Sussex, from £24
This was founder Pip Goring’s vision dreamt up fifty years before it was made in 2022. It makes up the trio of still wines made by this outstanding estate in Sussex. A blend of Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir, this is right up there with the best still rosés we make in this country.
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Still Pink 2022, Hampshire, £18
Another 100 percent Pinot Noir rosé, but this one is from Hampshire where the vines were encouraged to fight for their survival against heavily grown grass. This forces them to produce less fruit, but berries with higher sugar making for a rosé with lively freshness, crisp, clean fruit with fantastic texture too.
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Rosé 2021, East Sussex, £25
This is a foodie rosé. Deep, blood orange in colour yet it keeps that elegance and freshness that makes English wines so appealing. A wine for all seasons… but mostly summer.
Sparkling Rosé NV, Cornwall, £32.95
This has to be among the very best sparkling rosés made in England – and perhaps one of the best sparkling wines full stop. Wild flowers, strawberries and cranberries jump out of the glass, making this the perfect celebratory tipple.
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Rosé 2022, Kent, £22.90
Ruth and Charles Simpson are seasoned experts in making great wines, having spent many years doing so in their Domaine Saint Rosé in the South of France. Watching the weather charts get warmer, they moved back home and are making outstanding wines here. This rosé is supremely stylish with a hint of watermelon and plenty of juicy, ripe strawberry.
Pinot Rosé 2023, Gloucestershire, £21
Made exclusively from Pinot Noir in the Cotswolds, this has a delicious hint of pink grapefruit and rhubarb. It’s a rosé with bags of energy and class and gives the zippier wines from Provence a real run for their money.
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Pinot Noir Rosé 2022, Devon, £18
From the heart of Devon, this wine has a hint of sour raspberry, wild strawberry and cherry. Sharpham also produces exceptional cheese and many of their wines pair beautifully with their cheeses. Try this with their Ticklemore.
Silent Pool Rosé 2022, Surrey, £21
This was served on the Royal Barge to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012. It’s a ‘strawberries and cream’ style rosé. Beautifully coral pink in colour with zippy acidity.
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Nannette’s Rosé 2022, Kent, £25
A very popular English rosé that seems to sell out soon into every summer. It’s made from Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay, grown on clay and the result is a rosé brimming with delicious summer berry and a zesty freshness.
Classic Cuvee Rosé NV, Hampshire, £42
The team at Hambledon make such great wines with supreme care and attention. This sparkling rosé is aged for a minimum of 45 months, giving it depth and class beyond most others. It’s smooth, packed with red berry fruit and long on the finish.
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Sussex Rosé 2022, West Sussex, £19.95
Made predominantly from Pinot Noir, this Wine GB winner is very Provencal in style – dry, crisp and fresh with lively red berry and citrus fruit.
Tom Gilbey has over 30 years of experience in the wine trade. In 2020 he founded his eponymous wine company, which curates wine-focused events in venues across London, plus sells wine online. Find out more at tomgilbey.com
