THE best pinks come in a wide range of colours and styles.
Here are five of the best-value bottles to sip before summer ends.
1. M&S House Wine Rose 2017, France (£5, Marks & Spencer, in-store only)
Kicking off with Marks & Spencer, who were crowned Best Rose Supermarket of the Year 2018 by the International Wine Challenge (IWC), this wine’s calling card is the price – but it’s also blessed with everyday, straightforward deliciousness. After all, not everyone wants crisp, savoury minerality, when you can rock the boat with cherry-scented summer fruits from the south-west of France.
2. M&S Burra Brook Rose 2017, South East Australia (£7, Marks & Spencer, in-store only)
A thirst-quencher from Down Under, this is a vibrant, fruity style of rose, with ripe red fruits and a core of pink grapefruit. Friendly and engaging, the juicy finish channels plenty of freshness, and the cherry and strawberry aromas send all the right signals.
3. Workshop Bench Blend Rose 2017, South East Australia (£6.50, Morrisons)
More New World appeal, with its copper pink highlights and ripe, juicy flavours, this little gem is a
blend of aglianico and negroamaro – Italian grapes that are now grown in the warm, sun-kissed vineyards of Australia. It radiates a bright, lively character with a combination of cherry, raspberry and wild berry notes, and a dry, fresh finish.
4. Vitis Nostra Pinot Noir Rose 2017, Italy (£7, Morrisons)
If you love a plush pinot, why not explore the fruity goodness in a pinot noir rose? Sleek and silky, as you would expect from this variety, the rich, rusty hue captures the varietal notes of wild cherries and floral aromas, with white peaches and dried raspberry flavours accented with a subtle hint of vanilla on the refreshing, peachy finish.
5. Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Pinot Grigio Dolomiti Blush 2017, Italy (£7, Sainsbury’s)
Wine snobs might not be too keen on the label. Admittedly, “blush” suggests the American term for roses on the sweet side – but that would be wrong in this case. In fact, this is a crisp, dry, refreshingly uncomplicated rose, with pretty floral and peachy aromas that follow through on the palate, complemented by a faint strawberry note on the clean, fresh finish.
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