A Guide to Rosé Wines For Sip in the Sunshine

Summer is here, and there’s no better way to celebrate the sunny season than with a glass of refreshing rosé. This versatile wine is generally light, fresh, and fruity, making it the perfect companion for summer cuisines such as salads, seafood, and charcuterie. Join us as we explore some of our favorite styles of rosé, featuring suggested wines from The Bottle Store in Al Ghadeer, along with ideal pairings for each.

Provence Rosé

What to expect?: Light pink color, dry, light body, and very refreshing with notes of sour strawberries and lavender

Provence is the birthplace of rosé wine, so it’s only fitting to start our journey here. This region in southern France, with its hot Mediterranean climate, has become synonymous with a style of rosé that’s light, dry, and mineral-driven—a stark contrast to the sweeter rosés that were popular a few decades ago.

Historically this hot climate region made full bodied rich red wines. However, those wines don’t pair well with the beach, boating lifestyle, and seafood-dominated cuisine. So, in the 90s, they started harvesting grapes early and limiting maceration time, producing a lighter, drier rosé that perfectly complements the local cuisine of fresh seafood and crisp vegetables and pass time of sipping in the sunshine.

Recommendation:

Try the Domaine Tropez Sand Tropez, exclusively available at The Bottle Store in Al Ghadeer for 75 AED.

Champagne Rosé

What to expect? Full-bodied yet high-acid sparkling wine rich in berry, citrus, and pastry aromas.

Champagne Rosé includes Pinot Noir and Meunier, which are black grapes. The cooler climate of the Champagne region prevents these grapes from developing deep colour, making them ideal for rosé.

Champagne Rosé is incredibly versatile with food, pairing well with soft cheeses or shellfish.

Recommendation:

We love the Lanson Rosé Champagne, available at The Bottle Store in Al Ghadeer for 312 AED.

Spanish Rosé

What to expect? Deep pink colour with ripe cherry and savoury, peppery notes.

Spanish rosés, typically made from Tempranillo or Garnacha, reflect the country’s warm climate. They offer riper fruit flavours and a spicier, savoury edge. These pair perfectly with a BBQ with chicken or sausages.

Recommendation:

We recommend the Bodega Otto Bestué Garnacha Rosado, from Somontano, Spain available at The Bottle Store in Al Ghadeer for 40 AED.

Prosecco Rosé

What to expect?

Light, super-fruity with peach, pear, and berry notes, and gentle bubbles.

Prosecco is a regionally controlled wine that follows strict regular practices to ensure a consistent style and quality. Originally, Prosecco was a white wine; however, in 2021, Pinot Noir was permitted to be added to this Glera grape-based wine for a delightful pink fizz. It is iIdeal with Italian antipasti, cold cuts, or burrata salad. It also makes a great porch pounder.

Recommendation:

Try the Just For You Prosecco Rosé, priced at 45 AED from The Bottle Store in Al Ghadeer.

New World Rosé

What to expect? Pale to medium pink tones, with bright red fruit aromas and floral notes.

New World means that it comes from outside Europe essentially. The last decade has seen most producers leaving the bright pink, slightly sweet style behind in exchange for something inspired by the dry, light and austere styles of Provence. They still have a great point of difference in that they have maintained a robust fruit intensity. This punchy yet dry and refreshing style is one of our personal favourites for sipping sans food. Thanks to the fruit flavour concentration, they have plenty of character to hold your interest without feeling too tart and drying on your palate. They pair well with summer salads, especially grilled peaches, seafood, and soft cheeses.

Recommendation:

We adore the Leyda Pinot Noir Rosé from Chile for 45 AED at The Bottle Store in Al Ghadeer.

Semi-Sweet Rosés: White Zinfandel or Moscato Rosé

What to expect? Super fruity, juicy, sweet wines with low alcohol.

These semi-sweet styles have been popular since the 1970s, offering an easy-to-sip option that’s great for wine cocktails like spritzers or frosé. They are perfect with low-sugar desserts like fresh fruits, or with tropical and spicy cuisines like Thai food.

Pairing:

We love the Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Moscato Rosé for 65 AED from The Bottle Store in Al Ghadeer.

Whether you’re enjoying a sophisticated Provence rosé or a fun and fruity Moscato Rosé, there’s a rosé for every palate and occasion. So grab a bottle, relax in the sunshine, and savour the flavours of summer. Cheers!