The Rosé Renaissance: Why It’s The Go-To Wine For Summer

The summer has arrived in style, and rosé wine merchants are seeing a surge in sales. The sunny weather means that it is the perfect time to explore blush wines, which instantly conjure up idyllic afternoons lounging in the garden of a French chateau. The quality and variety of rosé wine has never been better, so where to begin?

Here’s a guide to thinking pink and stocking up the wine cellar ready for a long hot summer. 

The rosé renaissance

A few decades ago, rosé wine had a rather bad reputation for being sweet and one dimensional. Many high end wineries didn’t take it seriously, producing it from inferior grade grapes, if they decided to make it at all. 

However, rosé production has undergone a complete transformation, and today’s pink wines are just as complex and sophisticated as reds and whites. Quality wine merchants now curate their rosé selections with equal thought and expertise to other wine types. 

The best rosés have the fruitiness and structure of reds, combined with the crisp acidity and chilled serving temperature of whites. This makes it an ideal choice for summer gatherings such as barbecues, beach parties or alfresco dining: refreshing and light, but with enough substance to really savour and satisfy. Here are some food pairing suggestions.

Grilled seafood and dry Provence rosè

A classic pale dry Provence, such as La Bastide des Oliviers Provence Rosé Classique 2024, is a perfect choice to pair with lightly grilled seafood. The hints of spice, exotic fruits, and slightly creamy finish complement sea bass dressed with garlic and lemon, or prawns and capers and scallop skewers. 

Charcuterie and fruity rosés

Lighter meats such as grilled chicken and poultry go well with fruiter rosés with a little more body and structure. Look for Grenache based blends with red berry flavours and a dry finish. Complete the platter with a herby couscous and roast pepper salad. 

Provençal salads and light rosés

The summer is peak salad season, and they are ideal for casual social gatherings when you want to create a grazing table without the need for hotplates. They can be served as side dishes to barbecue meats or pizzas, or as a standalone meal if you want to make a more substantial recipe such as Niçoise salad with tuna, anchovies, fresh green beans and eggs. 

Elegant crisp rosés with citrus aromas complement lighter salads beautifully. However, avoid heavy vinegar based salad dressings as these will overwhelm the delicate flavours of the wine. 

Cheese boards and sparkling rosé

A sparkling rosé is the spirit of summer in a bottle, instantly giving vibes of carefree celebration. Go for a high quality pink fizz that will pair beautifully with soft creamy cheeses such as Brie and Camembert. Serve side dishes of strawberries and raspberries to complement the fruity fresh flavours of the wine. 

Sparkling blush wines also pair well with summer desserts such as fruit tarts and pavlovas.