House Wine: Rosé

Of all the categories in SWA, House Rosé is traditionally the one in which you’ll find the highest number of bad wines. This year, however, things were much better. There were more medals than we’d expect to see and feedback was significantly better.

Where our judges are often attempting to disinfect their mouths after the sub-£6 pinks, this year they were not only not negative but actually, you know… positive for probably the first time in the 14 years of this competition.

It’s a significant turnaround and one for which the world’s winemakers deserve enormous credit, because making something balanced, drinkable and still recognisably rosé-like at this price is really not easy. Big shout-out to the guys at Imbuko, for following up their house white Gold with one here.

Proof, perhaps, that Pinotage’s real strength lies in light reds (and pinks) rather than power-monster reds?

From The Tasting Teams

‘There were some really nice, elegant examples, as well as punchier styles. I could definitely fill that spot on a list based on what we tasted.’ Dave Cushley, Prestonfield House

‘We had a wide range here, varying from the light and bubblegum-scented to those approaching red wines. There was one we thought would go well as a spritzer for someone driving - it had enough body to give you the impression that you were drinking something with alcohol, but was light enough to stay under the limit.’ Antóin UáRuairc, UK Midland Sommelier

‘Some were shockingly cheap. And some you could have by the glass, but also with summer dishes.’ Sarah Jane Evans MW, team leader

‘The prices were good, for London maybe, but it might be difficult in other parts of the country to have them listed by the glass.’ Elena Serban, Heritage Restaurant

‘This is a big one to get right for a wine list. There’s a dedicated demographic of pure rosé drinkers.’ Dave Cushley, Prestonfield House

‘There were some interesting fruity, aromatic styles. Most didn’t have that much complexity, but would be enjoyable by the glass.’ Laurent Richet MS, team leader

Award winners

Found 13 wines

House Wine: Rosé - <£6 ex-VAT

Imbuko, Umbala, Pinotage Rose 2019, Western Cape, South Africa

'Red fruit and some chalky mineral notes, with fresh cranberries. Great by the glass or carafe, Provence-style.' Tom Forrest, team leader. 'An attractive salmon-rosé colour, with great balance of fruit and acidity, and a great structure that's almost mineral. A lovely wine with character and energy that I can see with some crab salad, ceviche or smoked salmon.' Laurent Richet MS, team leader.

£5.19 LWC Drinks

Accolade, Cullinan View, Chenin Blanc Rosé 2018, Western Cape, South Africa

'This is very fruity on the nose, with mango, lychee and pineapple aromas leading to a structured palate.' Arturo Scamardella, The Ritz London. 'High intensity on the nose, followed by crisp mineral notes and a long, balanced finish.' Nuno Pereira, Theo Randall at the InterContinental Hotel. 'Cherry and rosehip notes, as well as some leafy herbs. A good by-the-glass offer.' Tom Forrest, team leader.

£5.92 Matthew Clark

Félix Solís, Casa Albali, Garnacha Rosado 2019, Valdepeñas, Spain

'An explosion of berries leading to a delicate finish.' Arturo Scamardella, The Ritz London. 'A warm and inviting rosé with ripe fruit and good balance and acidity.' Dave Cushley, Prestonfield House. 'Apple and pear notes combine with some red forest fruits, leading to some tannin and a herbal note.' Tom Forrest, team leader.

£5.62 Matthew Clark

WX Brands, Marques de Calado, Rosé 2019, Castilla, Spain

'Ripe strawberries and cream backed with some good acidity and freshness.' Romain de Courcy, The Ritz Paris. 'An easy, approachable rosé, with good red fruit and a smooth palate.' Giancarlo Cuccuru, The Ned. 'A lovely wine by the glass, with fruit giving it a juicy mouthfeel.' Laurent Richet MS, team leader.

£5.05 Majestic Commercial

Cielo e Terra, I Castelli, Pinot Grigio Blush 2018, Veneto, Italy

'This has a really vibrant nose teeming with red berries, lime zest and peaches, with great acidity and well-integrated fruit flavours, and some really good balance for the price point.' Sam Weatherill, Etch. by Steven Edwards. 'A crisp rosé with elegant notes of ripe stone fruit and a pleasant mineral finish.' Nuno Pereira, Theo Randall at the InterContinental Hotel.

£5.55 LWC Drinks

Félix Solís, Oratoire St Pierre, Vin Rosé -1, Central Spain, Spain

'This opens with red berries and cherries, with a touch of spice like paprika, leading to a light tannic bite.' Romain de Courcy, The Ritz Paris. 'Some elegant flavours and refreshing acidity.' Nuno Pereira, Theo Randall at the InterContinental Hotel. 'This is quite dark in colour, with lots of flavour and a mineral aftertaste. It would pair well with food.' Antóin UáRuairc, UK Midland Sommelier.

£5.15 Matthew Clark

Félix Solís, Señorio de Chical, Tempranillo Rosado 2019, Central Spain, Spain

' 'This has good flavours that are more akin to a light red than a rosé, and an attractive colour and amazing price.' Antóin UáRuairc, UK Midland Sommelier. 'Bright and fresh, this is a juicy wine with a stony finish.' Sarah Jane Evans MW, team leader. 'Notes of fresh red berries and white flowers.' Romain de Courcy, The Ritz Paris.

£3.84 Booker

Healy & Gray, Zinfandel Rosé 2018, California, USA

'This is a dense rosé that's very fruit-driven, with ripe flavours and a touch of iodine to balance the sweetness.' Nuno Pereira, Theo Randall at the InterContinental Hotel. 'Boysenberry and ripe blackberry, with potpourri, roses and ripe red cherry jelly. An attractive wine to enjoy by the pool on a hot day.' Laurent Richet MS, team leader.

£5.23 LWC Drinks

Bodegas Lahoz, Monte Grande Delicate Blush 2018, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain

'Dried raspberry and cranberry notes, as well as some blueberry, leading to creamy notes on the palate with hints of ripe fruits.' Tom Forrest, team leader. 'Ripe red strawberry notes, with some toast and vanilla too.' Romain de Courcy, The Ritz Paris. 'Great, elegant intensity, with red fruits and a balanced finish.' Nuno Pereira, Theo Randall at the InterContinental Hotel.

£5.21 Frederic Robinson

LGI-Wines, Two Birds One Stone, Rosé 2019, Languedoc, France

'An easy drinker, with delicately pleasant summer berry fruit and refreshing acidity.' Dave Cushley, Prestonfield House. 'A crisp rosé with stone fruits, some savoury minerality and freshness.' Nuno Pereira, Theo Randall at the InterContinental Hotel. 'An interesting, slightly tropical nose, with a touch of guava.' Romain de Courcy, The Ritz Paris.

£5.48 Majestic Commercial

Concha y Toro, Mountain Range, Rosé 2019, Central Valley, Chile

£5.90 CyT UK

Broadland Drinks, Proudly Vegan, Rose 2019, Central Valley, Chile

£3.98 Molson Coors, LWC Drinks, Suma Wholefoods

Accolade, Short Mile Bay, Rosé 2018, South Eastern Australia, Australia

£5.99 Matthew Clark