Rosés are food-friendly, festive, and incredibly diverse in style, ranging from delicate and mineral-driven to bold and fruit-forward. Here’s why we’re seeing a rosé wine renaissance.
For too long, rosé wines both still or sparkling have been sidelined as mere summer indulgences or casual poolside sippers. But relegating them to warm weather occasions alone does them a great disservice; rosé is one of the most versatile and dynamic wines in the world, effortlessly straddling both casual and refined settings, and blessed with the ability to pair beautifully with an astonishing variety of dishes even as it delivers complex flavours that rival its red and white counterparts.
Indeed, what makes rosé so exceptional is its ability to fit itself into any setting. On one hand it boasts the bright acidity and freshness of a white wine while on the other possessing of some of the structure and fruit depth found in reds, This makes it an ideal wine style for pairing with anything from seafood and grilled meats to even spicy dishes.
Even more impressive? Rosés are incredibly diverse in style, running from the delicate and mineral-driven Provence examples to those that are bold and fruit-forward like those from Napa. And don’t forget rosé champagne, which adds an extra layer of effervescence and a splash of elegance that makes it a stunning option for celebrations, yet approachable enough for the more than occasional enjoyment.
Together with our friends at Malt & Wine Asia, we’ve curated six bottles that prove just how extraordinary and versatile rosé wines and champagnes truly are, whether you’re hosting a formal dinner, having a cozy evening in, or celebrating life’s special moments. Because we think it’s time for a rosé wine renaissance here in Singapore; and we’d love for you to join us.
[Main image credit: Depositphotos.com]
Champagne Frerejean Freres Rosé Premier Cru N.V.
A remarkable expression of rosé Champagne offering elegance, depth, and finesse, Champagne Frerejean Frères Rosé Premier Cru N.V. is the bottle you want when the occasion calls for luxury.
Crafted in the Côte des Blancs from Premier Cru vineyards in Avize, this pink-hued beauty is crafted predominantly from Chardonnay with a touch of Pinot Noir to add structure and vibrant red fruit complexity. Aged for a minimum of five years on lees, this wine boasts a beautifully-refined mousse for a lush texture, and proffering a layered palate of wild strawberries, raspberries, blood orange, and toasted brioche, while finishing long and elegant with a fine mineral backbone that has become a hallmark of Frerejean Frères’ meticulous craftsmanship.
You’ll want to pour this cuvée during Valentine’s Day as you celebrate love with your significant other over an intimate dinner of prawn cocktail and grilled lobster, or pop open with colleagues to commemorate landing a business deal or the achievement of a career milestone.
Get the Champagne Frerejean Frères Rosé Premier Cru N.V. at a recommended retail price of S$159 here.
Champagne Vilmart & Cie Cuvée Rubis
Another exceptional rosé Champagne is Champagne Vilmart & Cie Cuvée Rubis from the renowned Rilly-la-Montagne grower-producer Vilmart & Cie.
Vinified from mostly Pinot Noir and some Chardonnay exclusively from Premier Cru vineyards, this is an absolute gem of a grower Champagne that will speak to the soul of any keen wine lover. What truly sets the Cuvée Rubis from most other rosé Champagnes is that it is vinified in oak barrels, giving it an extraordinary depth, complexity, as well as a creamy texture. Expect an expressive bouquet of ripe red berries, cherries, and blood orange, alongside hints of vanilla, toasted almonds, and warm wood spices from its oak aging. On the palate? It delivers a luxurious mouthfeel, vibrant acidity, and a seductively long finish that balances fruitiness with mineral finesse.
But what makes Cuvée Rubis truly special is how much of a chameleon it is. This epicurean wine is so incredibly versatile that it’s refreshing enough to be partaken as an aperitif and paired alongside a gourmet cheese or charcuterie spread, but also sufficiently robust and characterful to hold up to a grilled steak.
You can find the Champagne Champagne Vilmart & Cie Cuvée Rubis at a recommended retail price of S$125 here.
Chateau Saint-Maur L’Excellence Cru Classé Rosé 2023
No story about rosé is ever complete without mentioning Provence. The rosé wine revolution that has overtaken the world in the past decade can largely be attributed to this one French winemaking region, and the Château Saint-Maur L’Excellence Cru Classé Rosé is one of the shining examples that exemplify the style and quality of high-end Provençal rosé.
Crafted from one of the few estates designated as Cru Classé in Côtes de Provence, L’Excellence Cru Classé Rosé showcases the exceptional winemaking of Château Saint-Maur, which is located near Saint-Tropez on the French Riviera. Made from a selection of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvèdre, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon and Tibouren, this wine is a masterclass of balance. You’ll find that this enigmatic rosé exudes a heady perfumed nose of peach, wild strawberries, citrus zest, and dried Provençal herbs, with a fresh vibrant palate held together by a subtle mineral backbone ending with an enduring elegant finish that will have you desiring to reach for the next sip.
In true Saint-Tropez style you’ll love to crack this bottle open on a luxury yacht as you soak in golden hour as dusk approaches, but barring access to that we’d just as happily open this while hosting an intimate dinner party at home. We’d certainly order this to start a meal if we saw it on the wine list at a fine-dining restaurant.
You can find the Château Saint-Maur L’Excellence Cru Classé Rosé at a recommended retail price of S$62 here.
M by Saint-Maur Cru Classé Rosé 2023
Also from Château Saint-Maur is the M by Saint-Maur Cru Classé Rosé, the L’Excellence’s younger, more energetic, and flirtier sibling. This standout Provence rosé is sunshine in a glass, offering a contemporary and playful expression of the classic examples to emerge from the region.
But don’t let its alluring, coy pale pink hue fool you; this wine is burgeoning with character. Composed from primarily from Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah, along with some Tibouren, Mourvèdre, Cabernet Sauvignon and Rolle (Vermentino), M by Saint-Maur is a zingy, fruit-driven rosé that explodes with intent. You’ll find aromas of ripe peach, citrus blossoms, red berries, and a touch of exotic tropical fruit that’s underpinned by a crisp minerality. The palate is fresh and spunky, offering a delicate balance between lively acidity and a round, silky texture, finishing with an ethereal persistence.
M by Saint-Maur is perfect for pouring by the poolside, garden weddings and beach picnics, but we think it would also absolutely excel at weekend brunches, adding a whiff of sophistication to your repast of avo toast and eggs benny.
Pick up the M by Saint-Maur Cru Classé Rosé at a recommended retail price of S$96 for a bundle of two here.
Amuse Bouche Prêt à Boire Rosé 2022
Let’s not forget the New World. The New World has been issuing quite forth some excellent examples of rosé wines. Including Napa Valley in California.
While Provençal roses tend to be lean and mineral-driven, Californian rosé tend towards an approach that’s bolder, more fruit-forward and extracted. Take the Amuse Bouche Prêt à Boire Rosé, for example. Crafted by none other than legendary winemaker Heidi Barrett – keen wine enthusiasts may know she’s the name behind Napa cult wine Screaming Eagle – this is a rosé of serious complexity. This is a big and assertive dry rosé that’s constructed with finesse, layered with notes of wild seasonal berries, melon and citrus along with a seductive whirl of rose petals underscored with subtle salinity. Some brief aging in neutral French oak too offers welcome textural depth, offering some weight to the palate while retaining a crisp, energetic finish.
This Napa Valley rosé is the stuff of legends, the kind of wine we’d love to bring to a blind tasting to shock and surprise even the most serious of wine lovers. But as its name suggests, this wine is an epicurean’s dream that works with pretty much any cuisine. Wash some guac and salsa down with this while watching the Super Bowl. Pair it with anything from an overloaded cheeseburger to a pepperoni pizza. Or even some spicy Thai food, because why not?
Buy the Amuse Bouche Prêt à Boire Rosé at a recommended retail price of S$119 here.
Viticoltori Ponte Prosecco DOC Rosé Millesimato Brut N.V.
A Prosecco, you say? Not just any Prosecco, but a Prosecco DOC Rosé. Yes, a pink Prosecco, a wine style that came into official being in 2020.
The Viticoltori Ponte Prosecco DOC Rosé Millesimato Brut N.V. is a great example of that intersection of classic Prosecco with vibrant rosé from the lauded Veneto producer. Vinified from Glera with a touch of Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir) for colour, structure and complexity, this sparkling wine stands out for delicate salmon-pink hue, fine and persistent bubbles, and also an aromatic profile that blends fresh red berries, white flowers, with hints of sweet citrus. Then there’s its “Millesimato” designation, which means it is crafted from a single vintage to ensure high levels of quality and consistency.
Lively, fruit-forward and expressive, we can totally see ourselves enjoying a glass of this pink Prosecco during aperitivo or happy hour. But its easy-going, welcoming flavours lends itself well to almost any celebratory occasion as a stylish Italian alternative to champagne, or paired with salads and fresh seafood. Try it with yusheng (lohei) during Chinese New Year and prepare to be surprised.
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