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As the days get longer and temperatures rise, nothing seems more inviting than a chilled glass of dry rosé. Celebrated for its beautiful colour, refreshing lightness and vibrant flavours, rosé is delicious all year round but particularly embodies the spirit of summer. From elegant Provence rosés to fruity Spanish rosados and perfectly balanced Pinot Noir rosés, each variety offers something unique. So, which dry rosé is best for you? Read on for our pick of some of the best.
What is a dry rosé wine?
Dry rosé wine is a type of rosé that contains little to no residual sugar. This means most of the grapes’ natural sugar content has been converted into alcohol during the fermentation process, creating a less sweet (or ‘dry’) wine. These rosés can vary greatly in colour, from a barely-there blush to a deep pink. The wine’s shade depends on several factors, including grape variety and skin contact time. As for taste, dry rosés can have a broad spectrum of flavours. These range from fresh red fruit such as strawberries and raspberries to citrus and melon. Floral and mineral notes are also common. Despite the fruit-forward flavours, the absence of residual sugar gives dry rosés a crisp and refreshing finish, making them versatile for food pairings.
Our favourite dry rosé wines
Provence
Want to know what summer in the south of France tastes like? Just pour a glass of Provence rosé! This dry French rosé wine has become synonymous with summer sipping. Known for its pale, salmon-pink hue, it’s often considered the gold standard for dry rosé wines. Provence is also home to the premium rosés of Bandol. Provence rosés are typically dry and light-to-medium bodied, with a crisp acidity that makes them very refreshing. This type of rosé offers a delicate balance of flavours, typically featuring strawberry, citrus and melon notes. The nearby Mediterranean Sea and Provence’s limestone soils add a subtle, clean minerality. A slight herbal hint can also be tasted, reflecting the region’s fragrant, wild herb landscapes. Provence rosé pairs well with a wide range of foods, perfect for a summer picnic or barbecue. Try a glass with grilled seafood and salads, light pasta dishes and cheese boards featuring goat’s cheese, Gouda and Brie. Whispering Angel 2023 is a best-selling Provence rosé, loved for its subtle apricot and berry notes and a hint of wet stone.
Tavel
Tavel rosé comes from the Tavel region in the Southern Rhône Valley of France. Known for its distinct and full-bodied style, it offers a delightful contrast to the typically lighter rosés like those from Provence. With a deeper pink hue and a refreshing acidity, Tavel is rich, fruity and one of the best dry rosé wines to try. Look for flavours of ripe red berries and cherry, plus a warming hint of spice. Tavel is a dry rosé, often with a slightly higher alcohol content than other rosé wines. These characteristics make Tavel rosé a good all-rounder when it comes to food pairings. Tavel’s robust character can stand up to the flavours in dishes such as grilled salmon and roast chicken. The wine also complements dishes that feature Mediterranean ingredients such as tomatoes, olives and herbs, such as ratatouille.
Navarra
Fruity and easy-drinking, dry Navarra rosés are ideal for casual, sun-drenched outdoor feasts. Navarra rosé comes from Navarra, a wine region in northern Spain. This area is famous for its vibrant, high-quality rosés; the sunny summers here create ripe, fruit-forward wines perfect for pouring on a hot day. Mostly made from Garnacha (Grenache) grapes, Navarra rosados are dry, fresh and brightly acidic. They’re easily recognisable by their deep pink hue and have luscious strawberry, raspberry and redcurrant flavours, often with a savoury hint of earthiness. Thanks to its refreshing acidity and balanced structure, Navarra rosé pairs well with a variety of foods. Try it with richly-flavoured tapas, paella and charcuterie boards featuring Spanish cheeses and Iberico ham.
Txakoli
Txakoli (pronounced chah-kuh-lee) rosé is a distinctive wine from Spain’s Basque Country, made mainly from native Hondarrabi Beltza grapes. It is lightly sparkling and typically dry with high acidity and a lower alcohol content. This is a good dry rosé wine – pale pink and known for its bright, fresh flavours of tart red berries, citrus and green apple. It often has a subtle saline note, reflecting its coastal origins. Given its crisp and refreshing profile, Txakoli rosé is a perfect summer afternoon wine. It pairs exceptionally well with seafood dishes, particularly soft and mild cheeses, shellfish and pintxos (traditional Basque tapas). Hika Txakoli 2019 is a must-try with a plate of fresh seafood – intensely citrusy, fresh and bright.
Grenache
Grenache rosé is a popular type of rosé often associated with regions such as Provence in France and Navarra in Spain. Known for its vibrant pink colour, Grenache rosé is typically dry and medium bodied with a balanced acidity. It typically has a luscious range of red fruit flavours, including strawberry, raspberry and cherry, often with a hint of citrus or spice. These refreshing flavours make Grenache rosé a quintessential summer wine. When it comes to food pairings, the wine’s fruity profile and crispness allow it to complement a variety of dishes. Fresh salads, grilled seafood, spicy Asian noodles and roasted, Mediterranean-flavoured meats are a must-try with Grenache rosé. Enjoy a chilled Cabalié Rosé 2023 this summer – an onion-skin pink Grenache-based rosé blend from France, overflowing with fresh notes of delicate berries, citrus and pepper.
Sangiovese
Chilled Sangiovese rosé is a taste of Italian summer. This wine is typically associated with Italy’s Tuscany region, where Sangiovese grapes are grown in abundance. Often vibrant pink, Sangiovese rosé is usually dry with a high acidity and light-to-medium body. This type of rosé features flavours of fresh red berries, cherry and hints of spice, offering an elegant balance between fruitiness and acidity. Sangiovese’s fresh, crisp character makes it an ideal wine for alfresco dining. Its acidity and structure mean the rosé pairs deliciously with grilled chicken, tomato-based pizza, pork in a spicy soy glaze or grilled vegetables cooked with Mediterranean herbs.
Pinot Noir
Dry Pinot Noir rosé offers a delicate balance of freshness and complexity. Made from Pinot Noir grapes, it has a pale-to-medium pink hue and a light-to-medium body. Known for its elegant, crisp flavours, Pinot Noir rosé is brimming with notes of strawberry, raspberry and often a touch of spice or minerality. Key regions for this wine include France’s prestigious Burgundy area, California and Marlborough in New Zealand. Dry Pinot Noir rosé is versatile when it comes to food pairing, complementing a variety of dishes featuring ‘meaty’ seafood such as shrimp and tuna. It also pairs well with grilled chicken or vegetable quiche. Elegant and refreshing, Pinot Noir rosé is a reliable, delicious choice for summertime sipping. Try Domaine Michel Thomas Rosé Sancerre 2023, which features Pinot Noir’s bright berry fruit notes and crisp minerality. Shop our full selection of rosé wines.
About the author
Brogan Wilson
Qualified to WSET Level 2 Wine, Brogan is a relatively new member of the team, having joined in September 2023. She previously worked as the sole copywriter at a creative marketing agency, and before that, as a primary school teacher. At Laithwaites HQ, you’ll find her growing her knowledge, asking lots of questions, and crafting both digital and print copy. An ardent red wine drinker, Brogan is also fond of Crémant.
