There’s a style of this wine to suit every taste.
Spare a thought for rosé. This pink wine often gets overlooked for its perceived simplicity or not being serious or interesting enough. And while rosé is a massive hit over the warmer months, it often gets dropped the second the sun goes away. On top of all that, rosé tends to get a little pigeon-holed. A wine for the girlies? Sure, it slots in beautifully at lunch with the gals (is there a dish it doesn’t match?), but rosé is for the guys, too. Just ask Jon Bon Jovi and his son Jesse Bongiovi (AKA Mr Millie Bobby Brown), Gérard Bertrand (the king of rosé), Post Malone or The Doggfather himself, Snoop Dogg. Yeah, the boys love rosé. So, we’re here to make the case that this pink drink is for everyone.
For a start, all rosé is not the same. There are various techniques to get the rosé effect – from simple blending to the delicate saignée method, where the pink wine is drained from the fermenting grapes and juice – also referred to as being ‘bled off’ (saignee means ‘bleeding’, after all) – to hit the desired colour, aromas and flavour. There are also its broad spectrum of styles to consider, from richer, sweeter and darker rosés to those dry Provence-inspired examples with a barely-pink hue. The latter styles can sub in for so many white wines, while bigger-bodied rosés are a great swap for reds, especially if you like them chilled. Yep, it’s fair to say that there is a rosé for every taste.
To help shake rosé’s one-dimensional rep and showcase its diversity, we’ve pulled together 10 different styles that come from a range of regions. Some even have rockstars and rappers behind them. See? Rosé really is a wine for everyone. Check out these top wines below.
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1. Gérard Bertrand Source de Junon Rosé
Languedoc might get less attention than its rosé-making neighbours in Provence, but there’s no reason to overlook the French region. Here, producers like Gérard Bertrand are making seriously good rosé like this Source de Junon, which gets its flavours from grapes grown on rolling hills filled with schist and limestone rock.
If that doesn’t mean much to you, the important part to know is that this is a rosé with silky texture, bright acidity and plenty of strawberry and cherry flavours. Consider this a perfect seafood wine for those slightly more special occasions where the go-to riesling or chardonnay just won’t do.
2. Hampton Water Rosé
Remember Gérard Bertrand from, like, one second ago? Well the famed French rosé producer is dialling the whole rockstar winemaker thing up to 11 with Hampton Water – a rock ‘n’ roll collab with Jon Bon Jovi and the rocker’s son Jesse Bongiovi.
Much like the smack-you-in-the-face styling of Bon Jovi, the band, Hampton Water avoids subtlety in favour of flavour. Here, you’re getting a decent whack of watermelon, peach and strawberry, plus floral notes and plenty of texture from time spent ageing in French oak. Pile on the snacks, crank up ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ until the walls start vibrating and pour a glass.
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3. Turkey Flat Rosé
Here is a classic rosé for those who prefer a bolder style (this wine has also won a swag of rosé trophies at wine awards). Made from Barossa grenache (a style we already love, even without the rosé treatment), Turkey Flat's is a little more full-bodied for a rosé, with plenty of juicy raspberry flavours – a signature of grenache.
This wine is also bright and dry, which makes it a refreshing rosé style and a perfect pairing with a backyard barbecue. We’re thinking sunny arvos, charred corn and a grill loaded with marinated chicken skewers would be the ideal combo with Turkey Flat Rosé.
4. Yering Station Yarra Rosé
Yering Station is perhaps known best for its pinot noir and chardonnay selection, which makes sense since it’s from the Yarra Valley, where plenty of the best versions of those wines are made. With its Yarra Rosé, though, Yering Station trades classic French grapes for a few Italian varieties – sangiovese and nebbiolo – which bring some unique and delicious flavours and aromas, like rose petals and Turkish delight.
With those floral notes in mind, we reckon Yering Station Yarra has to be one of the best picnic wines (rosé or otherwise) you could care to mention. Pack some sandos, a few containers of fresh berries and pour yourself a glass on the grass.
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5. Villa Magalone Provence Rosé
Provence rosé is rightly regarded as some of the world’s very best and, when you sip a little of this version from Villa Magalone, it’s easy to see why. The typical style is pale, dry and perfectly refreshing, and that’s exactly what you’ll get here.
There’s a zesty whack of acidity and citrus flavours, but it’s those sweet red berries that draw us in, like a mix of strawberries and cream in a glass. Consider this a go-to for those late afternoons spent grazing on salty snacks with your pals.
6. 19 Crimes Snoop Dogg Cali Rosé
For a guy who famously rapped about sipping on gin and juice back in the ’90s, Snoop Dogg has certainly evolved his palate – and we’re not complaining. On the surface, Snoop’s Cali Rosé is the opposite of all those blush-pink wines in silver and gold trimmed bottles, but the wine inside is very much a classic (and tasty) rosé.
This is definitely on the fruity, fuller side, with grenache and zinfandel grapes bringing a bunch of raspberry and strawberry flavours. Forget the gin and juice – take this to the party instead.
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7. Poco Vino Rosé
If there’s one downside to wine, it’s that a 750mL bottle isn’t always the most convenient size. Well, the folks behind Poco Vino (which means ‘little wine’) have had the same thought, which is why this sleek pink bottle tops out at just 187mL.
Inside, the rosé is delicate and dry, with rose petal aromas and a whisper of strawberry. The idea here is not to overthink it – just pour a glass (alongside a lovely soft, white cheese, ideally) and enjoy this fresh, single-serve release.
8. Kylie Minogue Signature Rosé
What is it with music artists and wine? We’re not complaining – between Bon Jovi, Snoop and Kylie Minogue, we’re looking at a supergroup to rival Boygenius. And, when the wine is as good as this one from Kylie, we can only hope those musos keep the hits coming.
Here, we’ve got a lighter style of rosé made with grenache and cinsault from the Terres du Midi – a fairly new subregion within Languedoc in France. The result is a pale pink wine with a light floral aroma and plenty of juicy berry flavours. This is going to work with just about any meal you serve up right now.
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9. Cupio Dry Pinot Rosé Bagnum
It’s nice that, well into the 21st century, we’re still making up new words. Like slamming ‘bag’ and ‘magnum’ to create ‘bagnum’ – the 1.5L, wine-on-tap format that Cupio has chosen for its rosé.
On the inside, Cupio’s rosé is dry, light bodied and held together with a crunchy acidity. On the outside, you’ve got an airtight bag with a handle and a tap dispenser. Clearly, the idea is that Cupio rosé is worth taking with you, wherever you might need it. Party? Barbecue? Friday night footy at a mate’s house? You’re sorted.
10. Mr Mick Rosé
We love Clare Valley wines, but for all the inky shiraz and zippy riesling that comes out of the region, rosé tends to get overlooked. Well, if you’re a fan of dry, fruity rosé, don’t ignore this one. This crisp, light-bodied wine is intensely aromatic, with tropical lychee and white peach alongside strawberry flavours and a crunchy finish.
The makers reckon this is an ideal wine match for spicy Asian fare, but we’d be more inclined to pair this with a Friday night fish and chips. Throw on a movie, settle in and you’ll see why this is one of Clare’s best.
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