
Recently (26th June, 2021), I invited some of my wine loving friends around to taste a variety of British Rosé wines to celebrate both English and Welsh Wine Weeks. It proved to be such an incredible evening talking about the different wines, pairing them with delicious foods and learning about the terroir and grape varieties involved in creating these wines.

This was the first Vigneview wine tasting that I’ve planned and led. I did warn my friends that if I started to ‘geek-out’ too much on wine and/or viticulture, then it was their job to reel me in. Thankfully, the evening turned out to be a huge success and I didn’t go off on any random tangents (phew!!). The next morning I received several messages from my friends asking when the next tasting would be. Wow! I better get in gear and start planning the next tasting!
THE VIGNEVIEW WINE SELECTION PROCESS
After what seemed to be an impossible task, I selected five still English rosés and one from Wales. I was actually surprised with the incredible variety of still British rosés that are on offer in this country. In order for a wine to “make the cut”, I relied on the Vigneview’s five V’s to guide me;
- Value
- Variables
- Versatility
- Viewpoints
- Verdict
VALUE
The first question I ask myself when choosing wine is, “Am I getting the best quality wine I possibly can for the most reasonable price?” British wines are not always budget friendly and as a result, this wine selection was a bit more challenging. However, after shopping around, I set myself a target to stay under £20 a bottle.
You may be wondering why British wines are so expensive, as they are grown practically on our doorstep. One of the main reasons contributing to the high price tag is that growing grapes in the UK’s cooler climate is challenging and expensive. Additionally, as the lower half of the UK is located at 51 degrees latitude north, this is just one degree above the ideal 30-50 degrees latitude north range for growing vitis vinifera grapes. Even though it’s only out of ‘The Zone’ by one degree, the UK’s climate can prove to be rather unpredictable for growing grapes. Additionally, most of the vitis vinifera grape varieties grown in the UK are highly susceptible to diseases due to the damp, cool climate conditions and therefore vineyard owners need to invest a lot of time, money and hard work into managing and maintaining the vines and so they can produce the best quality grapes. All of these factors contribute to the additional costs involved in the process of growing grapes in the UK and producing top quality wines. My goal for the wines I selected was to stay under £20 a bottle. To my surprise, I was able to do this and discovered some very reasonably priced British rosé wines.
VARIABLES
The second factor I consider when choosing a wine is to determine which characteristics and complexities I’m looking for. I begin by asking myself some questions to narrow down my options.
- Purpose: What occasion is my wine for?
- Style: What style of wine am I after…still, sparkling, dessert or fortified?
- Colour: Am I looking for a specific wine colour?
- Structure: What level of sugar, alcohol, tannins, acidity and body of wine do I want?
- Aromas/Flavours: What particular aromas and flavours do I wish to have? How pronounced should they be?
- Grape variety: What type of grape(s) will best meet my purpose?
- Terroir: Is there a particular terroir that is known for producing exceptional grapes?
- Viticulture: Am I after a sustainable, organic, biodynamic or natural wine?
- Winemaking: Is there a particular winemaking method I’m after? Oak ageing, lees contact, low-intervention etc…
- Dietary: Do I need wine that’s vegan, low alcohol, low sugar or sulphate-free?
- Vintage: Finally, is there a certain vintage that stood out as having produced extraordinary grapes, jam-packed with varietal complexities?
Wow! That’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to considering all the variables involved in choosing a wine. When I selected the rosé wines for this particular tasting, I searched for wines that included a range of complexities, structural components, grape varieties, British terroirs, winemaking techniques, vintages and viticultural practices. My overall goal was to provide my guests with an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of what British wines can offer. Comparing and contrasting wines from a similar region, is a great way to learn about various grape varieties and how they express themselves under different growing conditions. The wines I selected were single varietal as well as blends. Some of the blends were well-known, reliable varietal combinations while others were quite intriguing cuvées involving lesser known grape varieties.
VERSATILITY
The third factor influencing my wine choices is the suitability of a wine for a particular occasion. For this particular tasting, I wanted to choose British rosés that pair well with a variety of foods as well as being great stand-alone, easy drinking wines.
To help me pair my British rosé wines with some incredible British cheeses, I sought out the expertise of Sarah Moore who owns The Micro Cheesemonger (@themicrocheesemonger) and can be found weekly at the Ally Pally Farmer’s Market . Thankfully, Sarah came to my rescue and selected three incredible cheeses. She even went over and above the call of duty by hand delivering one of the cheeses to me after my morning swim at our local lido. Now that’s incredible service…a poolside cheesemonger!!! Thanks so much, Sarah!

In addition to the cheeses, I prepared some fennel-infused salami, smoked salmon with a honey Dijon mustard sauce, rainbow roasted sweet pepper antipasto and various other hors d’oeuvres to savour alongside these incredible wines. My good friend Roanna (@bakingbyro) baked two beautiful organic rye and honey sourdough loaves to support all these tasty morsels.

VIEWPOINTS
The fourth factor influencing my wine choices is to compare, contrast and consider any reviews, ratings and accolades a wine may have received. Some people disregard wine reviews and awards; however, I honestly believe that these provide a great benchmark for choosing a wine. Wine is art; open to varying degrees of interpretation and appreciation. These insights provide further opportunities to explore, understand and enjoy a wine.
VERDICT
I’m often a very indecisive person and arriving at a definitive decision is something I really struggle with, especially where wine is concerned. However, once I’ve considered all of the previous criteria, I have to make a wine choice. It’s tough, but it’s got to be done! Check out my wine verdicts below.
TASTING NOTES
Producer: Woodchester Valley Rosé
Country: England
Region: Gloucestershire
Vintage: 2018
Grapes: Regent
Closure: Screw cap
Style: still
Colour: Deep Pink
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: Medium
Alcohol: 12.5%
Body: medium
Aromas/Flavours:
Floral: Hibiscus
Red fruit: Cherry and strawberry
Tropical fruit: Watermelon
Drinking Window: Drink now!
Price: £13.99 (Grape Britannia)
Verdict: A lovely wine! Fantastic on its own but food pairings really bring out the best in this rosé. I was eager to try this rosé, as it’s made using 100% of the Regent grape variety, which is a hybrid. A lovely combination of summery fruits and subtle floral aromas on a medium finish. I was particularly happy to purchase a bottle of the 2018 vintage, as this one of best growing seasons England has ever had.
Producer: Three Choirs Vineyards Rosé
Country: England
Region: Gloucestershire
Vintage: 2020
Grapes: Phoenix (43%), Seyval Blanc (28%), Triomphe (9%), Pinot Noir (7%), Mad Ang (4%), and others
Closure: Screw cap
Style: still
Colour: Pale copper
Sweetness: off-dry
Acidity: Medium
Alcohol: 11.3%
Body: medium
Aromas/Flavours:
Floral: Subtle orange blossom
Citrus fruit: Grapefruit
Red fruit: watermelon and strawberry
Stone fruit: apricot and peach
Drinking Window: Drink now!
Price: £9.99 (Grape Britannia)
Verdict: The combination of different grape varieties works really well in this blend. An array of flavours and aromas that make this an easy-drinking wine on its own or with food, as the acidity isn’t too high and the off-dry sweetness draws you in. It’s incredible how sensitive our palate is to sugar!! I would pair this rosé with spicier Mediterranean dishes because the subtle sugary sweetness works with the heat from the spices and lengthens the finish. Pair this wine with my rainbow roasted sweet pepper antipasto.
Producer: Aldi Specially Selected Bowler and Brolly Rosé
Country: England
Region: Surrey
Vintage: 2020
Grapes: Pinot Noir (41.8%), Chardonnay (16%), Müller-Thurgau (14.7%), Reichensteiner (10.4%),Pinot Meunier (6.1%)
Closure: Screw cap
Style: still
Colour: Pale Copper
Sweetness: Off-dry
Acidity: High
Alcohol: 11.5%
Body: medium
Aromas/Flavours:
Floral: Orange blossoms
Red fruit: strawberry
Citrus fruit: Grapefruit and citrus peel
Tropical fruit: watermelon
Stone fruit: peach
Drinking Window: Drink now!
Price: £8.99 (Aldi)
Awards: 2020 IWSC Bronze
Verdict: Prior to this tasting, I tried this rosé from Aldi. Overall, the group liked this wine but felt that is was lacking in aroma intensity. Personally, I think the flavour profile compensates for the subtle aromas. I really like this wine and the price just can’t be beat!
Producer: Still Rosé by Hattingley Valley Wines
Country: England
Region: Hampshire
Vintage: 2020
Grapes: Pinot Précoce (45%), Pinot Noir (49%), and Pinot Meunier (6%)
Closure: Screw cap
Style: still
Colour: Medium Salmon
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: High
Alcohol: 12%
Body: Medium
Aromas/Flavours:
Red fruit: Cherry, Strawberry
Herbaceous: Hedgerow
Drinking Window: Drink now!
Price: £15.99 (Grape Britannia)
Awards: 2021 Wine GB Bronze
Verdict: I think that this rose was one of the group’s favourites. A beautiful trio of different Pinot Noir, Pinot Précoce and Pinot Meunier. Aromas and flavours were pronounced on a long lasting finish. I think this rosé offers savoury notes and works well with smoked salmon dishes.
Producer: Camel Valley Vineyards Rosé
Country: England
Region: Cornwall
Vintage: 2019
Grapes: 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Bacchus
Closure: Screw cap
Style: still
Colour: Medium Salmon
Sweetness: dry
Acidity: High
Alcohol: 11.58%
Body: Light with a subtle zing on the palate
Aromas/Flavours:
Red fruit: red cherry and cranberry
Citrus: grapefruit
Herbaceous: rhubarb and hedgerow
Drinking Window: Drink now!
Price: £14.99 (Grape Britannia)
Verdict: Another intriguing rosé made with Pinot Noir and Bacchus grapes. This wine was another group favourite. Everyone commented on the ‘zing’ on the palate. Personally, I think this was the Bacchus letting us know it’s there. A lovely wine with pronounced flavours on a lengthy finish. This wine paired particularly well with the Baron Bigod cheese.
Producer: Ancre Hill Estates Rosé
Country: Wales
Region: Monmouthshire
Vintage: 2020
Grapes: Pinot Noir
Closure: Screw cap
Style: Still
Colour: Pale Copper
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: High
Alcohol: 10%
Body: Light
Aromas/Flavours:
Red fruit: Cherry
Lees ageing: Yeasty, bread notes
Drinking Window: Drink now!
Price: £15.99 (Grape Britannia)
Verdict: Well, it’s not every day I get to try a still rosé wine from Wales. Honestly, with such a low alcohol abv, I was a bit sceptical. However, as I’m a huge Pinot Noir fan I was willing to give it a try. The grapes are biodynamic and left in contact with the skins for 4-6 hours to extract as much flavour and colour as possible. Then the wine was fermented in stainless steel and concrete egg and then aged on the lees for 6 months. I have to say that I really enjoyed this wine. Flavours of bright, newly ripened cherry shine through along with savoury yeasty notes from the lees ageing. Honestly, I would buy this bottle again, as it’s a fine example of clever winemaking in a cool climate. I think this wine is best enjoyed on its own as a chilled summery indulgence or paired a goat’s cheese such as Golden Cross.