Rosé above £5.50
2015: Gold 1 Silver 7 Bronze 10 Commended 13
2014: Gold 2 Silver 5 Bronze 3 Commended 9
Europe, for the most part, remains the home of the more expensive rosés found here, and a string of difficult vintages in the northern hemisphere seem to have taken their toll. From three Golds in 2013 we found just one here this year. And while tasters weren’t aggressively negative about the wines, they didn’t find a lot to get excited about either, particularly (indeed, perhaps, surprisingly) from Provence.
Star Performer
Well done to Château L’Ermitage and Spy Valley, both of which picked up a Gold and Silver last year as well.
FOOTNOTE: Rosés under £5.50 can be entered into the House Rosé category
From the Tasting Teams
‘Rosé has to be part of the wine list, it has be part of the by-the glass-offer so if you find one it has to be a killer.” Caroline Brangé, 28º-50º Mayfair
‘There were some much more textured, interesting, aromatic and robust wines here with some tannic aspects which are excellent food pairings – they would work with duck and even fried food. Mya Brown, Vinoteca Marylebone
‘Rosé’s the hardest category to buy. We notice a lot of colour here: at the lower price points anything will go but once you start getting to the top, pale colour becomes extremely important.’ Annette Scarfe MW, team leader
‘The Provence wines were fairly consistent – light and strawberryish, with some roundness – but nothing really stood out.’ Andrea Domenicucci, Whatley Manor
‘A pretty bottle and a pretty price doesn’t make for a good wine. Those wines where more skin contact has extracted more aromas and flavours allowed more food pairing possibilities.’ Michael Harrison, consultant
‘We found confected and dull examples throughout our [Provence] flight.’ Athila Roos, The Arts Club