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Like local strawberries at the farmers market, glasses of light, refreshing pink wines sure are a sight for winter weary eyes. After a long season of drinking big, bold reds, rosé is the quintessential gateway wine to summer sipping — but it’s much more than that. There are many styles of rosé, depending on the grapes they're made from and the region where they grow, so you can find something to drink all year round.
Choose your own adventure with each type of rosé. Got a nice dry, crisp bottle? Serve it as an aperitif or alongside seafood. How about something casual and easy-drinking? Pour it poolside or tote it along for a picnic. Something fuller and fruitier? That’ll stand up to grilled meats or even the entire Thanksgiving menu. Fancy a sweeter rosé? That’s perfect for pairing with dessert.
And there’s never been a better time to drink rosé. If you feel like you’re seeing pink wines everywhere, you’re not imagining it. 2023 showed an upward trend for rosé, with revenue growing 4.1% for this category, compared to just 1.5% for reds and 1.8% for whites, according to Market.us Media. With so many celebrities slapping their name on their own rosé and all the different labels at the wine shop, it’s hard to choose which one to buy. That’s why we tasted and tested some of the best rosé wines on the market to help you find your perfect bottle. We've got plenty of options (all are dry rosés unless otherwise noted) at every price point, fit for a range of occasions.
One of our editors loved this wine and ended up ordering cases of it for her wedding. Bright, fresh and easy drinking, it's everything you want for an outdoor gathering.
Flavor profile: strawberry, watermelon rind and herbs with a touch of spice and sea air on the finish
Weight: medium-bodied
Region: Rhone, France
Grape varietals: 30% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot, 15% Vermentino, 5% Colombard, 5% Petit Verdot, 5% Arinarnoa, 5% Carmenere, 3% Tannat and 2% Syrah
One thing about wine is the more specific you can get the better. Case in point, this rosé is from Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence, a small appellation in the west of Provence, often depicted in the artist Cezanne's landscapes. The wine is similarly expressive. Aromatic and mouthwatering, it's as great as an aperitif as it is paired with shellfish and poultry.
Flavor profile: white peach, lychee and citrus zest with fresh, floral aromas and a touch of mineral
Weight: light-bodied
Region: Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence, Provence
Grape varietals: Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cinsault
Farming: sustainable, organic, and/or biodynamic practices
When it comes to French rosé, Provence hogs the spotlight but do not sleep on ones from the Loire Valley in France — in particular, Saumur, where this wine is from. Made from the appellation's renowned Cabernet Franc grapes, Les Hirondelles is a delicate rosé with intriguing aromas of spice and wild berries. Enjoy it on its own or alongside light, mild dishes.
Flavor profile: Red currants, tangy peach, orange zest, herbs and mineral
Weight: light-bodied
Region: Saumur, Loire, France
Grape varietal: Cabernet Franc
Farming: organic, low added sulfur
A universal favorite at the wine shop where I used to work, Bargemone outsold rosés that were less expensive. That's how much people loved it. More substantial than your average "summer water" bottle, it has the depth to hold up to year-round drinking.
Flavor profile: wild strawberries, peach, melon and mineral with hints of fresh cut grass and wild flowers
Weight: medium-bodied
Region: Coteaux d'Aix en Provence, Provence
Grape varietals: 40% Grenache, 25% Cinsault, 20% Syrah and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon
Farming: organic
From Matilde Poggi, one of Italy's most respected winemakers, this vibrant screw-cap "rosato" has more verve and acidity than your usual Provence rosé. Exhibiting the salty minerality of the Bardolino appellation, this zippy number flexes with food, like antipasti, seafood and cheese.
Flavor profile: wild rose, cherries, blood orange and white pepper with a savory mineral edge
Weight: medium-bodied
Region: Bardolino, Veneto, Italy
Grape varietal: Corvina and Rondinella
Farming: organic
If you like the lean, bone-dry rosés of Provence, then look to this Austrian refresher from the cooler-climate sites of Gobelsburg and Langenlois. Fresh with a racy acidity, Cistercien invites you back for another sip. Don't let the screw cap fool you into thinking this elegant rosé is an unserious quaffer. This type of closure is the standard for even fine wines in Austria.
Flavor profile: wild cherry, stone fruit, hints of spice with a long savory finish
Weight: light-bodied
Region: Kamptal, Austria
Grape varietals: Zweigelt, St. Laurent, Pinot Noir
Farming: organic
This is the rosé version of txakolina (pronounced cha-ko-LEE-na), a style of wine from the Basque Country of Spain that's low in alcohol and slightly effervescent. With just 10.5% ABV (alcohol by volume), it's light enough for day drinking and super food friendly. Partner it with grilled seafood, sushi, olives and tacos.
Flavor profile: strawberry, lime and briny sea salt with a trace of minerality
Weight: light-bodied
Region: Getariako Txacolina, Basque, Spain
Grape varietals: 50% Hondarribi Beltza, 50% Hondarribi Zuri
Farming: organic
Though produced in California, this bright, fresh rosé has the soul of an Italian wine — it's made from grapes typically found in the northern part of "the boot." The result is a rosé with the delicious fruit character of the Golden State but structure and vivacity that nods to the Old World. It sings when paired with tomatoes, pasta and — much to our shock — was absolutely delicious with passionfruit and guava ice cream in a wine float!
Flavor profile: strawberry, grapefruit, blood orange and savory herbs with a lovely floral aroma
Weight: medium-bodied
Region: North Coast, California
Grape varietals: 41% Nebbiolo, 30% Dolcetto, and 29% Barbera and a little Grignolino.
Farming: organic
If you find light rosés too wimpy, then this is the weighty wine for you. Made from Malbec grapes, this Argentinian rosé offers generous fruit notes and enough heft to stand up to cheese, charcuterie and grilled meats.
Flavor profile: abundant watermelon, cherry and aromas of rose balanced with acidity
Weight: medium-bodied
Region: Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
Grape varietals: Malbec
Made predominantly from Syrah grapes, this South African rosé gets a welcome lift from Viognier, an aromatic white grape that contributes floral and tropical notes. It's the kind of wine that makes your mouth water, so perfect for sparking your appetite before a meal as well as alongside barbecue and grilled meats.
Flavor profile: juicy watermelon, peach, papaya, rose and savory herbs with a dry, fresh finish
Weight: medium-bodied
Region: Walker Bay, South Africa
Grape varietals: Syrah, Viognier
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Susan Choung is the recipe editor for Good Housekeeping, where she runs lead on all drinks coverage. Her previous experience includes four years working at a boutique wine and spirits shop in Brooklyn, New York, where tasting and evaluating samples was a daily occurrence. During her five-year tenure as books editor at Food & Wine, she tasted, edited and coordinated testing of all beverage recipes for the cocktail book series.
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