There is good rosé wine to be found beyond Provence | Alistair Gibson
It has almost single-handedly taken the whole rosé category from being a frivolous, summer flirtation to a wine that almost every other major wine-growing region, from Bordeaux to the Barossa, looks to make.
The sales of Provence rosé continue to climb – even, given the current situation, this is a wine style whose star continues to soar. But there is life outside of Provence and, more often than not, without the price tag.
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Hide AdHere are three rosés from elsewhere in Europe that are not just pale imitations.
Ricasoli ‘Albia’ Rosé 2019, Toscana (Waitrose £11.99) is produced by Barone Ricasoli, a family famous for its Chianti with a history dating back to the 12th century.
This is a blend of merlot and sangiovese but is made in quite a unique method.
The sangiovese is vinified as a white wine without any skin contact at all and then is blended into the merlot, which has been made as a classic rosé.
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Hide AdThe result is a very pale rosé with a bouquet which almost smells like summer in a glass. There are red fruits, citrus, and scented flowers, followed by a fresh, crisp palate with more red fruits and crunchy acidity and a dry, clean finish.
I really like this, it makes a lovely aperitif but it would also work well with a summer dish such as a courgette and lemon pasta.
Ramón Bilbao Rosado 2019, Rioja (greatwine.co.uk £8.85 and discounted on a multi-buy deal) is another example of a pale rosé being produced in a region better known in the past for more powerful, darker rosé.
It has red currants, cherries, orange zest, lime, and a touch of spice on the nose.
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Hide AdThe palate has more citrus, some cranberry and red cherry and a nicely-textured, dry finish.
Try this with white asparagus or a seafood paella.
Specially Selected Costières de Nîmes Rosé 2109 (Aldi £6.49) is a Provence look-a-like and offers great value for money and I think is my favourite wine in the current Aldi rosé line-up.
It’s a blend of grenache, syrah and cinsault. The bouquet offers ripe raspberry, peach, citrus and some dried herbs, followed by a dry, crisp palate with more raspberry and a little spice.
This would be lovely with some red mullet or perhaps a red pepper and lime couscous salad.