I tested all best rosé wines after snooty French branded it ‘swimming pool’ plonk – and best is £2 cheaper than Aldi
NOTHING says summer like a chilled glass of rosé glugged in the sunshine.
But sniffy winemakers in Provence, considered the tipple’s birthplace, are appalled at the barrel-load of blush imitations flooding the market.
Dubbed “swimming pool rosé”, traditionalists argue it lacks the deep-pink hue and rich fruit flavours of classic Provencal wine.
The pink plonk might be getting it in the neck, but we predict its future looks rosy . . . or a shade of blush.
Drinks expert Helena Nicklin rates some purse-friendly bottles.
Toro Loco Bobal, £5.99, Aldi
Utiel-Requena, Spain
ALDI’S favourite wine brand has done it again with a pale-pink tipple that not only delivers in the look and price department, but it is also delicious and dry, with decent fruit flavours.
It is made with the up-and-coming Bobal grape, which is native to Spain’s Utiel-Requena region in Valencia.
On top of being tasty, it is also top of the charts in the bang-for-buck department.
At just shy of six quid, it is likely this is much cheaper than your usual bottle of rosé, so it will save you loads of cash this summer.
Drink a glass of this well-chilled and enjoy it paired with salty snacks.
Rating: 4/5
Exquise Grenache Prestige Rosé £7.49, in-store only, Lidl
Languedoc, France
AN arresting vision with its eye-catching, slim bottle and rose petal colour.
The South of France wine, from the Languedoc-Roussillon area, might not come from Provence, but it aims squarely for that audience, who do not want to splash too much cash.
Does it handle the pace when you sip, though?
For me it does.
Grenache is great for pink plonk because it gives that elegant colour with a good dollop of strawberries and cream.
A perfect price saver to posher Provencal picks and also a fantastic option for a summer picnic with your friends.
Rating: 3/5
Mare Meua Pinot Noir Rosé – £7, Asda,
Utiel-Requena, Spain
WITH its super-pale, holiday- friendly hue and a sunbathing lady on the label, this little Spanish sipper knows exactly how to appeal to the poolside rosé posse.
Ideal to put in an ice bucket while posing in your bikini, or to snap in the water for your socials.
To drink, it is super-tangy, dry and tart, and the fact that it is Pinot gives it some baked red-cherry vibes.
It’s a decent drop that is priced low, but has a high visual appeal for your pics.
A little rustic but it is drinkable enough, especially by the time you have topped up your SPF and opened bottle number two.
Rating: 2/5
La Vieille Ferme, £7.50 on offer, Morrisons
Rhone, France
LA Vieille Ferme, also known as “chicken wine” because of the bird motif on the label, has been around for 40 years – and with good reason.
Its translucent, aromatic pink is super-duper pale – perfect for poolside selfies.
But it manages to pack in a ton of strawberry and melon flavour while still remaining crisp, saline and balanced.
Highly gluggable and pretty to boot, this is a brilliant all-rounder bottle.
It is also extremely well priced – and even better when it is on offer!
Enjoy in the garden, on the beach or anywhere else you fancy.
A lovely tipple to stock up on for summer.
Rating: 5/5
Assyrtiko Syrah, £9.99, Aldi
Santorini, Greece
BRINGING a touch of Greek class to the poolside this summer is this Assyrtiko Syrah rosé blend.
Super-zesty and crisp with a moreish salinity from the Assyrtiko (which is Santorini’s flagship grape), the splash of savoury Syrah gives it depth of flavour with notes of red apple skin and red plum spice.
It is pricey for Aldi but still a bargain for the quality of wine.
And it is likely this Adonis of a pink would be double the cost elsewhere.
Rating: 4/5
Madame F Rosé, £8, on offer, Sainsbury’s
Various regions blended, France
THE fun and funky Madame F wine brand proudly supports LGBTQ communities and it is a delicious summertime drop to boot.
A juicy French blend of Grenache and Syrah, it is pale but punchy in red-fruit flavours with a ravishing roundness to it.
Super-silky and easy to drink, this loud and proud libation makes a perfect party wine.
At under a tenner a bottle, stock up for parties or take this as a gift when you plan to sit in someone else’s garden.
Rating: 3/5
Mad Fish Sauvignon Blush, £9, Tesco
Western Australia (William Bay)
PINK Sauvignons are a bit of a cheat as far as rosé goes – as most of them taste like a bold, grassy, white Savvy B anyway.
If that is your bag and you want to drink pink with your eyes, then Mad Fish blush is the way to go.
Hailing from Western Australia, this salmon blush is geographically about as far removed from Provence as you will find, but it is still perfect for sipping by the water.
A tiny splash of Merlot gives it its pale-pink hue and if you close your eyes, you can imagine some strawberry too.
An easy-drinking option.
Rating: 2/5
Cotes du Rhone Rosé, £8.50, M&S
Rhone, France
FANS of more savoury styles of pale pink will enjoy this classic French foodie tipple from the Southern Rhone Valley.
Once you pour, expect savoury, spice and wild strawberry with a tangy rosehip bitterness on the finish.
This is one with a welcome weightiness that belies its lighter looks and as a result it makes a perfect pairing for light lunches, especially when cold cuts and cheese are involved.
Ideal for alfresco dining, but just as nice inside if it rains.
Rating: 3/5