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Now that spring has officially started, it’s time to swap heavy red wines for lighter, breezier options to enjoy during outdoor lunches or warmer evenings. Our pals over at Amathus Drinks has curated a selection of the best rosé wines to drink during the warmer months, from fresh and fruity to complex and floral.

1. Pur Azur

What: Pur Azur Cote de Provence Rose (£15.99)

The Lowdown: Pur Azur, from talented Florian Mathieu, is a fine, dry Provencal rosé made from Grenache & Cinsault grown near St. Tropez. Creamy, crisp and fresh, with apricot, wild strawberry, grapefruit, white flowers & sea air.

Vigneron Florian Matthieu crafts this wine from top-quality Grenache and Cinsault grown on the Plaine des Maures, a nature reserve close to the Riviera coast. The sea breeze cuts through the creamy fruit in this wine, making a really refreshing rosé for all occasions.

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2. Chateau de Manissy

What: Chateau De Manissy Tavel Rose Tete de Cuvée (£20)

The Lowdown: The delicious Tavel Rosé Tete de Cuvée is the first wine ever made by historic Rhone Valley winery Chateau de Manissy. It’s a biodynamic barrel-aged dry French rosé made from Grenache, Clairette and Cinsault grapes. Rich and complex with aromas of ripe quince, dried orange, hints of almond and exotic spice.

Dating as far back as the 17th century, Château de Manissy was once the property of the Lafarge family before they donated it to the local church. The Holy family’s missionaries acquired the castle at the beginning of the 20th century and began growing their own vines to produce their first Cuvée of Tavel wine. Some of these early plantings are still in production, with vines dating back to 1914.

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3. Markou Euphoria

What: Markou Euphoria Rosé 2020 (£21.50)

The Lowdown: Markou Euphoria is a superb dry rosé from the dynamic Vasilis Markou. Single-vineyard Agiorgitiko from Nemea, it has vibrant, fresh, wild strawberry and white flower notes, with an intense, mineral finish.

The Markou family have been growing grapes on the Greek Peloponnese since 1928 – though the current winemaker, the hugely talented Vasilis Markou, is dedicated to creating exciting wines in a fresh, modern style. Euphoria is made from 20-year-old vines of Agiorgitiko, a popular indigenous red grape variety, giving intense yet refined notes of wild strawberries and white flowers, and a spicy, dry finish.

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4. Château Héritage

What: Château Héritage Rosé D’une Nuit (£13)

The Lowdown: Château Héritage Rosé d’Une Nuit is a Cabernet-dominant bled made in a dry, refreshing Provencal style with juicy, crisp, raspberry and satsuma notes.

Château Héritage is a leading, family-owned winery in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley. In 1888, the Touma Family established one of the first wineries and distilleries in Lebanon in the small town of Kab-Elias of the Bekaa Valley, to produce wine and Arak Touma. The Héritage winery was established and released its first modern wines in 1997. The majority of Château Héritage’s vines are on the lower south-east facing slopes of Mt Lebanon, just above the winery, which ensures they’re well drained with great exposure to sunlight, while being slightly cooler than the valley floor vineyards.

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5. Domaine La Barbotaine

 

What: Domaine La Barbotaine Sancerre Rosé (£19.50)

The Lowdown: The Champault family has produced wines for three generations. Frederic Champault, the current owner of the winery, follows the tradition of his father, Roland Champault and his grandfather, Louis Champault, who were also winegrowers. Since moving to the Barbotaine in 1994, Frederic has worked in the vineyard together with his parents.

This is 100% Pinot Noir from an estate in South-West Sancerre. The wine is half-pressing and half bleeding (after 8-12 hours on skin).  Salmon pink in colour, red fruits in flavour.

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