Everything you need to know about pink wines, along with our top picks for right now.

We’ve said it before, we’ll say it again: we bloody love rosé. It’s one of the true MVPs of food-friendly wines, making it an exceptional choice to BYO or share over a spread of snacks. The styles that take their cues from France’s Provence, the home of rosé, are among our best crowd-pleasing wines for just about any occasion. And even though rosé is a natural fit with warm weather, it also makes a cracking winter wine. We could go on and on. Or maybe we just did.

We clearly need no excuse to put the spotlight on this pretty wine style, but before we get to the seven bottles you need to try, we have a quick 101 on rosé. This way, you can casually drop a few pointers the next time you open a bottle with your mates.

What is rosé? And how is rosé made?

Rosé wines are commonly made from red grapes, and producers can use almost any variety. They’re pink, not red, because their juice spends minimal time in contact with their grape skins and seeds during production. This is unlike red wines because this process gives reds their richer colours, bigger flavours and firmer tannins. The winemaker will decide how long to leave the juice mingling with the crushed grapes, but as little as a few hours can create the pale shade and subtle flavours they’re after.

What does rosé taste like?

Given that rosé can be made from diverse varieties and produced in countless ways, the wines vary wildly. Having said that, the love for pale, dry and crisp styles means that, these days, most pink wines have those traits in common. We’re talking bright berry aromas and subtle fruit flavours, good acidity, which keeps these wines light and fresh, and a lingering, dry finish. Some styles will lean a little sweeter than others, but the best examples bring it all into balance by still finishing crisp and dry.

Can you tell a rosé style by its colour?

In short, no. But sometimes, yes. Confused? Rosés come in a kaleidoscope of colours, and its shade doesn’t always reflect what’s in the bottle. Generally, though, you can expect deeper-coloured rosés to have bolder flavours, which often present as fruit sweetness. Meanwhile, pale blush shades are likely to fall into the high-acid, dry camp, but this isn’t universal. The best bet? Read the notes on the label, ask staff in store (they really do love a wine chat) and, of course, grab a bottle to see for yourself.

What should I eat with rosé?

Pretty much everything. Rosé is especially great with cured meats, cheeses and vibrant salads, but it also holds its own against seafood, spicy curries, pastas and more. Like we said, everything. Rosé’s bright acidity helps to lift heavier dishes and refresh the palate between bites, but mostly, those crisp, subtle and delicate characters create a super versatile wine. Consider rosé the ideal wine to keep in the fridge for whenever you need to take a bottle somewhere. It just works.

7 top rosés to try

1. Ludo Le Francais Rosé

Did we mention that rosé gives serious bang for buck? All the way from France, this salmon-pink wine is fruity, crisp and juicy, which is what grenache often brings to rosé. Grapes for this wine come from the Languedoc in France, which is one of the country’s best-value regions for all kinds of varieties. This is a taste of the South of France for a bargain price that looks – and tastes – like it cost a whole lot more.

$11.99 each

2. Saint Louis de Provence by Estandon Rosé

Think rosés can be a little straightforward? This expression from Provence has a little more going on. The wine has an almost oily feel and a richness to it, yet there’s still that typical fruit purity in the mix. It has earthy redcurrant flavours and aniseed spice notes, with a crunchy acidity that keeps things fresh with a fleshy, long finish. All this and it still lands at a great price.

$19.99 each

3. Miraval Provence Rosé

If all you know about Miraval is its starring role in the divorce proceedings of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, it’s time to learn a little more. In addition to looking seriously good on any table, the wine is made from cinsault, grenache, shiraz and vermentino. This means it’s loaded with notes of raspberry, strawberries, citrus and melon, with a fresh and vibrant acidity. It costs more than your everyday rosé, but it’s worth the splurge.

$41.99 each

4. Rabo de Gala Rosé

We’re not against choosing a wine based solely on the label (or the price), and that makes this striking bottle a sure thing. Happily, the wine inside is just as good. From Lisboa in Portugal, this rosé is a little more intense and aromatic than some styles, with fresh strawberry and raspberry flavours, great structure and acidity. It will work for any moment, whether that’s pre, during or post dinner with friends.

$10.99 each

5. Cupio Pinot Noir Dry Rosé

From South Australia, Cupio delivers a pretty rosé in this distinctive bottle. Expect floral notes, raspberry and strawberry flavours, a touch of fresh citrus and even hints of sweet dough yeast (specific, we know). It’s juicy and balanced, with crisp acidity, but it also has a soft creamy texture that rounds it all out. An under-$20 homegrown winner.

Member Offer

$13 per bottle Non-Member: $17.99 each

6. Torresella Pinot Grigio Rosé

Pinot grigio fans will be all about this Italian rosé; leaving juice in contact with the grey skins of grigio creates this lovely colour. It’s fresh and delicate with mellow fruit flavours and that trademark acidity, which all goes hand in hand with fish and other seafood dishes. Our pick? It has to be seafood linguine with a tomato-based sauce and a good kick of chilli.

Member Offer

$13 per bottle Non-Member: $15.99 each

7. The Remarkables Pinot Rosé

New Zealand shines when it comes to aromatic wines, and this rosé, made with pinot noir, is no exception. It’s a perfumed and dry style of rosé with red-fruit aromas that jump out of the glass. Expect a little more sweetness here, although savoury notes balance the wine, which is juicy, smooth and a touch creamy.

$19.99 each