M&S has officially declared rosé season open. And who better to mark the moment than icon and legend Dame Joan Collins?
The retailer rolled out the pink carpet for its M&S Food Ambassador (that’s a good gig, isn’t it?), who announced it was time to switch to pink.
‘Rosé season has arrived, though I’ve never been one to need permission to pour a glass,’ Dame Joan said, adding, ‘Who needs the South of France when you can simply glide into your local M&S Foodhall and find the finest rosé right there? You don’t need a riviera postcode, just impeccable taste… preferably chilled.’ Quite.
It’s the biggest M&S rosé range to date, with the brand reportedly selling a bottle of blush every two seconds during peak period.
Channelling our inner Joan, we’ve cherry-picked a few of our favourites from the range.
La Balconne Organic Provence Rose, £16, 75cl
Both Dame Joan and I agree this organic blush is sophistication personified. Elegant and dry, with notes of white peach, sun-kissed strawberry and Provençal herbs, it’s the ultimate aperitif. Cheers!
Classics Côtes de Provence Rosé, £10, 75cl
If you buy just one, make it this – the bestselling rosé in the M&S Foodhall.
A classic Côtes de Provence, it’s every bit as crisp, delicate and dry as one could want. Bursting with juicy strawberries and redcurrants, it’s a dream with seafood salads and a steal at just £10.
Best under £10: Lisboa Bonita Rosé, £8, 75cl
It’s not all about Provence pinks, however. If you’re looking for great value, head to Portugal. Bright, light and crisp, we love the combination of red berries with a touch of refreshing watermelon. This is the one to crack open with your picky tea.
Best for parties: Italian Rosato Pouch, £12, 1.5 litres
For larger gatherings, make hosting a breeze with this 1.5-litre wine pouch. A blend of Syrah and Merlot, this fresh Sicilian pour is full of cherry and raspberry. They’ll all be going back for another squeeze – trust us.
Stacey looks after all food and drink reviews — from coffee pods and veg boxes, to natural wine and tequila. Stacey is also founder of Crummbs, where she’s written nearly 2,000 restaurant and hotel reviews since 2013. Prior to this, Stacey wrote hundreds of in-depth buying guides for the Independent, i newspaper and BBC Good Food, as well as reviewing restaurants and interviewing celebrities in her column at Balance Magazine. Stacey has also appeared in BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary Blood, Sweat & Takeaways, where she investigated South East Asia's food production industry, appearing on both Newsnight and BBC World Service to share her findings. Regularly checking out the latest restaurants, bars and product launches, Stacey also loves experimenting with recipes at home, and is a WSET-certified wine and spirits expert, with over 10 years of experience in the business. You can follow Stacey on Instagram @crummbs_uk
