Team Fabulous puts the latest bottles of rose to the test – just in time for National Wine Day
THIS Saturday is National Wine Day, and it would be rude not to raise a glass in celebration.
With a bank holiday upon us and some sunshine incoming (fingers crossed), it’s the perfect time to welcome your rose era.
New research by Spanish rose brand Castillo de Ibiza recently confirmed that a breathtaking sunset boosts the experience of drinking a glass of rose, as it enhances and enrichens your senses.
These rose tipples are perfect for golden hour glugging, whether it’s girls’ drinks before heading out-out, pairing with a family barbecue or just a cheeky wine-down after work in the back garden.
No longer is pink plonk sugary sweet, either – you’ll find pale, dry rose, stunning English sparkling, a brand-new blend that’s going viral and even a prosecco-inspired rose cider, and all at great prices.
Cheers to that!
Fashion Editor Clemmie Fieldsend tested Co-op Irresistable Solo Rosé, £8.50 – BUY NOW
I’ll admit, I was seduced by the pretty bottle and extremely pale colour of this Spanish rose, and it didn’t disappoint.
Lovely and dry, without that burning tang at the back of your throat you get with some wines, I found it really drinkable, with a berry-like after-taste that left me wanting more.
If I didn’t know otherwise, I’d say it was a much more expensive wine than it actually is.
Deputy Fashion Editor Abby McHale tested Artesano de Argento Organic Malbec Rosé, £10 – BUY NOW
I’ve only really started to enjoy pale rose over the last year or so, after being a big lover of the sweeter Zinfandel variety.
And this Argentinian organic vino really hit the spot – it was very light and super-easy to drink, not leaving too much of an after-taste, which I prefer.
With aromas of fresh berries and a hint of juicy watermelon, it’s the perfect wine for sipping on a sunny day.
And the best part is, a whole bottle to myself didn’t leave me with a dry mouth or wine head in the morning – result!
Costing just a tenner, I’ll definitely be purchasing it again.
Food Editor Kirsty Spence tested Specially Selected Rosorange, £9.99 – BUY NOW
TikTok’s gone crazy for Aldi’s unusual rose-orange hybrid wine, and the store shifted 5,000 bottles in the first week of sales – and I totally get the hype!
First, how beautiful is the bottle – that multi-faceted design and orange label is giving “Mediterranean holiday” – plus it matches my hair, so what’s not to love?
Taste-wise, it really is a bit rose and a bit orange (a mix of tangerine, quinca and apricot, apparently), bringing to mind a flat Aperol spritz, and very much sitting on the drier end of the wine spectrum, rather than being sickly sweet.
All in all, it’s the perfect sunny day tipple for when you’ve overdone it on the rose and feel like a change.
And of course, it’s a great first step into orange wine, which is set to be huge this season, too.
Senior Designer Sasha Cunningham tested Co-op Irresistible Eight Acres Sparkling Rosé NV, £19.50 – BUY NOW
I usually go for a bargain prosecco or cava when I’m doing the shop, so it’s such a treat to find an affordable British sparkling wine, from just down the road from me in Kent.
Beautifully light and fruity, this blend of three grapes taste crisp and sophisticated.
I’d definitely buy this again – it’s perfect for all the back-garden gatherings I have in my calendar this summer.
Deputy Picture Editor Antoinette Cumberbatch tested Kylie Minogue Sparkling Rosé Alcohol-free, £6 – BUY NOW
I’ve been going through booze-free bouts since 2021, so I’ve tried plenty of non-alcoholic wines in my time.
While there’s nothing better than enjoying a cold vino on a sunny day, the struggle in trying to find something alcohol-free in a beer garden is real – but this prosecco by Kylie Minogue will have you feeling lucky, lucky, lucky.
Non-alcoholic wines of old are notorious for being too sweet, but not this one : it’s zingy tart yet fruity flavour will have your tastebuds spinning around.
Now, there’s no need to miss out on all those joyful prosecco moments – all without the hangover.
Beauty Writer Mia Lyndon tested Sandford Orchards Katja Rosé Martinotti-style Cider, £62 for six – BUY NOW
If you’re not a wine drinker, this could be the one for you – and me, as I love a cider on a hot day – as this rose cider is made in the style of a prosecco.
Green-fingered legend Alan Titchmarsh has called it “a wonderful lunchtime picnic drink”, and I’m inclined to agree – I was expecting it to have a sweet, sugary, sickly taste, but it was actually very pleasant and refreshing.
It has a slight sparkle, which was all the excuse we needed to dust off the champagne flutes, which made it feel even more posh!
The vegan and gluten-free cider is crisp and lightweight (and is very moreish and easy to drink), plus has fruity, red berry notes alongside crisp pink lady apples and a hint of candyfloss – delicious!
Ways to spend less in a supermarket
Grocery inflation means we're all feeling the pinch but shopping with these points in mind could save you hundreds of pounds a year:
- Avoid shopping at convenience stores – they charge more
- Ask in-store at what times in the day are fresh food items reduced
- Freeze yellow sticker items where you can
- Plan meals ahead
- Try own-label of budget brand alternatives
- Use unit pricings to find the best deals
Visit Which? to find out more.