Rosé above £6
As recently as 2016, this ‘over £6’ rosé category was picking up only two places on the Gold List. Since then it’s been a soaraway success, with Golds making it into double figures for the first time this year. This wasn’t about tasters getting carried away with the pink stuff, either: it’s a trendy category, and winemakers have massively upped their game.
Price-wise, they ran from eyebrow-raisingly cheap to jaw-droppingly expensive. Colours ranged from ‘almost white’ to ‘almost red’, styles from ‘fresh and zesty’ to ‘rich and oaked’. This is a category that is growing in style and complexity.
And though we had wines here from China to Chile, Europe (particularly France/Provence) dominated. Only five of our 30+ medals were from the New World, which suggests that there’s room for even more Golds next year.
From the Tasting Teams
‘You could list two Provence rosés: a basic, crisp easy-going one and a more premium characterful example.’ Andre Luis Martins, team leader
‘[The Clos du Temple] was fantastic: rich and complex, gastronomic. At the lower end, these were what you’d expect: sunshine in a glass.’ Andres Ituarte, Tamarind Collection
‘I work at a steakhouse, and we are looking for more creamy, full-bodied rosés.’ Savvas Symeonidis, Goodman Restaurant Mayfair
‘Rosé is a category where people want pale and dry, and if they get that they don’t look closer.’ Carolina W Siebel, Comptoir Cafe and Wine
‘The flight was all over the place. Some were too expensive for what they provided, and some were even aged in oak, which I didn’t understand.’ Erik Simonics, Annabel’s
‘£12 to £15 trade price is the sweet spot for restaurants for Provence rosé.’ Tanguy Martin, Blandford Comptoir
‘The colour is very important to consumers. If you have something that’s too pale or too deep, they get concerned. They are very appearance-focused.’ Joshua Castle, Noble Rot
‘Some had some oak, which I really liked, but you’d have to explain that in a restaurant.’ Cinthia Lozano, The Winery Honduras