The sun is shining, gardens are in bloom, and pink bottles line the shelves: rosé season has officially arrived. As essential as your SPF, a good bottle of rosé has become a summer staple. But today's best rosé wines offer far more than pale pink Provence and poolside sipping.
Rosé has evolved into one of the wine world's most dynamic categories, with styles ranging from delicate and refreshing to complex and food-friendly.
Part of the appeal lies in rosé's remarkable versatility. Depending on the production method, it can be crisp and citrus-driven, packed with juicy red-berry fruit, delicately floral, or surprisingly gastronomic.
While Provence continues to be the benchmark for many drinkers – and drives supermarket sales– some of the best rosé wines now come from further afield.
Winemakers in regions such as the Rhône Valley, Corsica, Sicily, Greece, Australia and New Zealand are producing vibrant, characterful examples that often deliver exceptional value for money. The wines in this tasting demonstrate just how broad the category has become, ranging from light, crisp apéritif styles to structured, pairing-friendly rosés that can comfortably hold their own at the dining table.
Best bottles of rosé at a glance
Best overall – Mirabeau X Rosé, Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, 2025: £12.75, Ocado.com
Best budget bottle – Sainsbury's Fronton Negrette, 2024: £8.75, Sainsburys.com
Best for alfresco dining – Cintu Île de Beauté Corsican Rosé, 2025: £10, Ocado.com
Best Provence rosé – Château d’Estoublon Roseblood Rosé 2025: £16.50, Tesco.com
Whether you're looking for a bottle for summer entertaining or a rosé that goes well with food, these are the wines most deserving of a place in your fridge this season – and every bottle costs less than £20.
Tested by: Gemma Boucher
Gemma Boucher is a freelance wine journalist and communicator. She regularly tastes and reviews wines for industry publications, including Decanter, the International Wine Challenge and Inside Bordeaux. Alongside writing, she’s spent the past several years studying towards the WSET Diploma in Wines, deepening her knowledge of viticulture, winemaking and global wine regions.
Mirabeau X Rosé, Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, 2025
★★★★★
Best for: Provence rosé lovers
ABV: 12.5%
Size: 75cl
What we love:
In 2009, Mirabeau co-founder Jenny Crock swapped south-west London for the south of France, with the dream of creating a premium rosé wine. Since then, Mirabeau has gained a loyal following, becoming a mainstay of summer supermarket shelves.
This benchmark Provence Rosé is a blend of 12 varieties, including Grenache, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Caladoc, Rolle and Cinsault. Perfumed with white peach, plum and blossom, the palate bursts with ripe red berries, grapefruit and mouthwatering acidity. Soft and rounded with a long, elegant finish, the wine offers exceptional value.
Buy now £12.75, Ocado.com
Sainsbury's Fronton Negrette, 2024
★★★★☆
Best for: Budget-friendly summer sipping
ABV: 12%
Size: 75cl
What we love:
Fresh, elegant and wonderfully easy-drinking, this charming rosé delivers remarkable value for money. Notes of juicy peach, bright citrus and tangy raspberry combine to create a crisp, refreshing palate, making it an ideal apéritif for warm summer evenings. Produced from Négrette, a distinctive local grape variety found primarily around Fronton near Toulouse, it offers a fragrant, characterful alternative to more familiar rosé styles.
Buy now £8.75, Sainsburys.co.uk
Château d’Estoublon Roseblood Rosé 2025
★★★★☆
Best for: Provençal-style entertaining
ABV: 12.5%
Size: 75cl
What we love:
A delicate shade of pale pink, this wine carries aromas of white peach, wild strawberry, pink grapefruit and Provençal herbs, combining in a bright, easy-drinking palate. The rosé’s blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault, with a touch of Rolle (Vermentino), is sourced from vineyards planted at 350–500 metres above sea level in the cooler, sheltered Côteaux Varois en Provence.
At just 12.5% ABV, the 2025 vintage feels particularly fresh and vibrant, offering flavours of juicy red berries, watermelon and citrus underpinned by a subtle mineral edge. Its crisp acidity and refreshing character make it an ideal apéritif. Co-owned by Carla Bruni and Nicolas Sarkozy, Château d'Estoublon's Roseblood Rosé was named the top rosé in Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2025.
Buy now £16.50, Tesco.com
Cintu Île de Beauté Corsican Rosé 2025
★★★★☆
Best for: Alfresco dining
ABV: 11%
Size: 75cl
What we love:
This charming rosé hails from Corsica, where vineyards overlook the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. A blend of Sciaccarellu, Niellucciu and Grenache, it beautifully captures the island's distinctive character. Delicate aromas of raspberry, watermelon and rose petal lead into an expressive palate layered with peach, orange peel and lemon pith.
Slightly fuller-bodied than a typical Provence rosé, it combines freshness with a touch more texture, making it an excellent match for poultry, salmon or trout. At this price, it represents outstanding value, particularly in a region where rosé often comes at a premium.
Buy now £10.00, Ocado.com
Bird in Hand Pinot Rosé, Australia 2024
★★★★☆
Best for: Barbecues and summer gatherings
ABV: 12%
Size: 75cl
What we love:
Don't overlook this screw-cap Australian rosé. Predominantly Pinot Noir, it offers plenty of character, combining vibrant red fruit with impressive freshness and complexity. Aromas of wild strawberry, red apple and white pepper leap from the glass, leading into a juicy, moreish palate with a refreshing, textured finish.
While dry in style, a touch of residual sugar rounds out the wine beautifully, making it versatile enough for both food and casual summer sipping. A natural partner for seafood, grilled vegetables and barbecue dishes.
Buy now £14.25, Ocado.com
Amie Rosé, Pays d’Oc, 2024
★★★★★
Best for: Long summer lunches with friends
ABV: 12%
Size: 75cl
What we love:
Created during the COVID-19 lockdown, Amie was founded by friends who wanted to capture the joy of sharing wine. A blend of 85 per cent Grenache and 15 per cent Cinsault, this stylish French rosé combines juicy red cherry and raspberry fruit with a vibrant citrus lift.
The palate is soft, rounded and wonderfully approachable, making it an easy choice for long summer lunches and relaxed evenings in the garden. Pair with grilled peaches, tomato and burrata salad for a simple yet delicious summer feast.
Buy now £17.50, Notanotherbill.com
Sainsbury's Bandol Rose Wine, Taste the Difference 2025
★★★★☆
Best for: Food pairing and dinner parties
ABV: 13%
Size: 75cl
What we love:
Don't be put off by its slightly deeper hue; this impressive Bandol rosé is one of the season's standout buys. Produced predominantly from Mourvèdre, it offers greater intensity, structure and gastronomic appeal than many Provence rosés. Aromas of ripe strawberry and juicy peach are joined by hints of exotic fruit and blood orange, leading into a textured palate balanced by fresh acidity and a firm underlying structure.
One of Provence's oldest appellations, Bandol is a natural amphitheatre that slopes towards the Mediterranean and is sheltered by the imposing Massif de la Sainte-Baume.
Buy now £16.25, Sainsburys.co.uk
Melpo by Muses Estate Greek Rosé 2024
★★★★☆
Best for: Mediterranean feasts
ABV: 12%
Size: 75cl
What we love:
More copper than pink, this Greek rosé is closer in style to a light red than a pale Provence rosé. A blend of Syrah and Roditis, it is fragrant yet full-bodied, bursting with ripe red-berry fruit, blood orange, and Damask rose. Pair with barbecued lamb and Mediterranean herbs for a sensational summer combination.
Those expecting a pale, bone-dry Provence rosé may be surprised, but that's precisely the point. Richer and more generous in style, it combines ripe fruit, freshness and a gentle touch of sweetness to create a rosé that truly comes into its own at the dining table.
Buy now £14.99, Laithwaites.co.uk
Guigal Côtes du Rhône Rosé 2023
★★★★☆
Best for: Rosé drinkers who like a little more body and flavour
ABV: 14%
Size: 75cl
What we love:
Don't let the 14 per cent ABV fool you. Thanks to its bright acidity and generous red fruit character, this Rhône rosé remains fresh, balanced and highly drinkable. Produced by Guigal, one of the Rhône Valley's most renowned estates, it combines ripe strawberry and raspberry fruit with a subtle savoury edge.
Fuller-bodied than many Provence rosés, it is a versatile food wine that pairs beautifully with grilled meats, Mediterranean cuisine and long summer lunches.
Buy now £14.50, Amazon.co.uk
Etna Rosato D.O.C M&S 2024
★★★★☆
Best for: Adventurous wine drinkers
ABV: 12.5%
Size: 75cl
What we love:
Bright, complex and deeply gastronomic, this Sicilian rosé has more in common with an orange wine than a simple, easy-drinking rosé. Made from 100 per cent Nerello Mascalese, it delivers an intense palate of lemon zest, redcurrant and wild Mediterranean herbs, underpinned by a distinctive phenolic grip.
Structured and savoury in style, this is a rosé that truly shines at the dining table. Pair with roast chicken, pork or dishes featuring roasted tomato, red pepper and herbs.
Buy now £14.00, Ocado.com
What is the best rosé to drink this summer?
If you’re looking for the best all-rounder, Mirabeau X Rosé 2025 delivers exceptional quality and value, while Amie Rosé 2024 is the bottle I’d happily bring to any summer gathering.
For food lovers, Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Bandol Rosé 2025 stands out for its depth and gastronomic appeal, while Etna Rosato DOC 2024 offers something more adventurous for those keen to explore beyond the pale pink Provence stereotype. At every price point, these wines prove that today’s rosé is far more than a seasonal drink.
How I taste-tested the best rosé
With supermarket shelves and online retailers offering more choice than ever, finding the right bottle can feel overwhelming. I tasted a range of widely available rosés priced under £20, focusing on quality, value and drinkability.
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