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The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Lifestyle
- The Irish Sun
Irish Sun's wine guide with 10 fab Rosés from €7.99 including ‘extremely popular' Aldi vino & ‘easy drinker' Lidl bottle
WE are celebrating the first two weeks of summer by popping the corks on some perfect pinks. The Irish Sun's Rosé fortnight will feature some of the best 11 Matthew Nugent has shared the best summer sippers around Credit: Getty - Contributor This weekend we begin with ten super penny-pinching picks, from €7.99 to €15.99. All have been taste tested and given our seal of approval. The poolside pinks we thirst for today have come a long way since the Phoenicians first sipped them some 3,600 years ago. Those early attempts were a very distant relation, made by watering down red Water was not the healthiest thirst quencher back then, but when combined with red wine, the alcohol killed the bacteria responsible for causing dysentery. Read more in Wine The Phoenicians shipped vines across the Mediterranean from their homelands in the east to Massalia (now Marseille) and Provence in the South of France. Provence is generally considered the birthplace of the By the 19th century, tourists flocked to places like the Côte d'Azur in the south of France, and as evening descended, they would relax with a chilled glass of their favourite pink pleasure. Since then, the local pink wines have become a symbol of glamour, leisure, and summer. Most read in The Irish Sun All wine producing nations have their own take on this refreshing wine, but the pink tipples of Provence and the Rhône Valley continue to be world leaders, accounting for something like 35 per cent of all Rosés produced globally each year. The wine's popularity has seen the market flooded with 'pink bath water' to satisfy the world's thirst. For the most part, we have decent and responsible importers, who bring in the best Rosés from across the world. Shoppers rejoice as a fizzy version of Sainsbury's viral 'chicken wine' hits the shelves, and it's already being called a '10 out of 10' The biggest misconception about Rosé wines endures – the mistaken belief that that they are just Summer sippers. That couldn't be further from the truth. They are undoubtedly among the most food friendly wines on the planet: to pair with barbecue food on a summer evening to matching a pink with turkey on Christmas day. The latter is a growing phenomenon. Here are our ten incredibly good Rosés for those of you on a budget. Next week we will loosen the purse strings and spend a little more for some special bottles that still won't break the bank. Pinot Grigio delle Venezie Blush 2024 (ABV 11%) 11 Currently €7.99 @ Lidl Outlets Grape: Pinot Grigio THIS easy drinker has a light pink colour, with an interesting copper hue when poured. Nice aromatics of strawberry fruit, with an added floral note. The palate is fresh, quite dry, with good structure and balance. Soft red fruits are discernible and persistent on the finish. Enjoy with: Delicately flavoured pasta and rice dishes, grilled fish or even white meats. Star rating: *** Specially Selected Coteaux De Beziers Rosé 2023 (Jolie by Juliette) 11 €7.99 @ Aldi outlets Grape: Grenache, Syrah THIS is a berry, berry nice and easy-drinking, off-dry Rosé, often favourably compared to similar but rather more expensive and trendy wines. It has a delicate pink hue, and aromas of cherry and strawberry. Light-bodied and crisp on the palate, with flavours of cranberry, strawberry, and a hint of grapefruit and pear. Good length. Enjoy with: Grilled tuna steak. Star rating: **** Pierre Jaurant Le Petit Poulet Rosé 2024 (ABV 12.5%) 11 €8.99 @ Aldi outlets Grapes: Grenache Noir, Merlot, Cinsault, Syrah, Caladoc A light, dry and fresh wine made with a quintet of grapes, it is a dangerously enticing tipple, with citrus and summer red fruit flavours on the palate. Never too early to sip a glass of Rosé. This is a very popular bargain bottle. Enjoy with: Smoked chicken salad. Star rating: *** Maison Chotard Rosé D'Anjou 2023 (ABV 11%) 11 Currently €9.99 @ Lidl Outlets Grapes: Gamay, Grolleau TRADITIONAL off-dry, bright raspberry-coloured, light Rosé from the D'Anjou in France's Loire Valley. . . my favourite place for delivering pink wines with a tad more residual sugar. Nice aromas of gooseberry, strawberry, mint and white pepper on the nose. The palate is bursting with red berry fruit flavours, and has nice, lively acidity. Well-balanced finish. Enjoy with : Fried whitebait, or fish goujons. Star rating: **** Domaine de L'Ostal Rosé 2024 (ABV 12.5%) 11 Currently €11.96 @ O'Briens Wine Grapes: Grenache, Syrah THIS Rosé has been a family favourite for many vintages. From La Livinière in the Languedoc, France, it is a 50-50 blend of Syrah and Grenache with a clear, delicate pink colour. It has aromas of soft red summer fruits, with subtle hints of rose petals and pomegranate. The palate is light, crisp, and fresh, with notes of raspberry, and a burst of pomegranate and Mediterranean herbs. Enjoy with: Delicate grilled fish. Star rating: ***** Les Magnolias Languedoc Rosé 2024 (ABV 12.5%) 11 Currently €12.71 @ O'Briens Wine Grapes: Cinsault, Grenache & Syrah FROM Hérault, close to Languedoc's Mediterranean coast, comes this exceptional wine as good as many high-priced wines from neighbouring Provence. A pale pink colour, it has expressive peach and floral notes on the nose while the fresh and lively palate delivers up flavours of strawberry and raspberry fruit, with a wisp of citrus. Enjoy with: Grilled white meats. Star rating: *** Mithus Basilicata IGP Rosato 2023 (ABV 13%) 11 Currently €12.99 @ Lidl Outlets Grape: Aglianico LIGHT bodied, thirst quenching, subtle pale pink Italian Rosé from Campania. It has alluring red berry, floral and wild herb notes on the nose while pink grapefruit, cherry, strawberry and raspberry flavours dominate the palate of a wine with great texture and good acidity. Pleasing length and clean finish. Enjoy with : Grilled white fish. Star rating: *** Exhib Cape de Thau Rosé 2024 (ABV 12%) 11 €14.99 rrp @ good independents Grapes: Carignan, Cinsault, Grenache & Merlot LIGHT and easy drinking rosé from the French Med region. A pale salmon pink colour, it has intense and fresh notes of pink grapefruit, peach and citrus. The refreshing palate is crisp and dry, with delicate notes of soft red fruits, with bright acidity and a mouthwatering, very satisfying finish. Enjoy with: Asian dishes Star rating: **** Cháteau de Caraguilhes Cara Organic Rosé 2023 (ABV 13.5%) 11 Matt Nugent Wine Col -Collect /Handout mage Credit: Matt Nugent Wine Handout Currently €15.71 @ O'Briens Wine Grapes: Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris & Grenache Noir ANOTHER long-time pink favourite. This is an elegant wine of substance that is superbly crafted, with delicate pale pink hue, and floral notes on the nose, along with hints of grapefruit and white peach. The palate is nicely rounded and exceptionally smooth, where raspberries and herbs abound. Pour me another please. Enjoy with: Veal chops. Star rating: **** Delibori Bardolino Chiaretto Rosé 2023 (ABV 12%) 11 €15.95 rrp @ good independents Grapes: Corvina Veronese, Rondinella FROM the shores of Lake Garda, northern Nice hit of citrus and floral notes on the nose, with an herbal hint. The palate is delicately fresh but lively, with good acidity, red berry and lingering citrus notes. Crisp finish with a lemon twist. Enjoy with: Prawn salad, smoked salmon Star rating: ****
The Irish Sun
16-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Irish Sun
Lidl's three-star €7.99 ‘super summer sipper' Rosé that's perfect for BBQs & SuperValu's €10 ‘fresh & zippy' white wine
JUNE is still a fortnight away, but the smell of charcoal burning has been wafting over neighbours' fences for some weeks now. Yes, the Advertisement 5 Matthew Nugent has shared his perfect BBQ tips Credit: Getty We take it that you have mastered the art of outdoor Let me introduce you to my BBQ golden rules (sort of). If you follow them, I can almost promise you a fun-filled and enjoyable event. Those not too expensive, light and fruity numbers are the way to go, and there are plenty of wines out there priced at under €10 that will be more than adequate. Even at this price point you will find some unusual grape varieties or blends. Advertisement READ MORE IN FABULOUS So, don't be afraid to go outside your comfort zone and include a few bottles of something a little different. Such an adventurous move will impress the more serious wine drinkers at your barbie. You could go a little further, spend a fraction more, and pick up a couple of bottles of natural or orange wines. These will certainly have your guests queueing up to try them. Advertisement Most read in Fabulous Natural wines are made with as little intervention as possible and without the use of sulphites. Orange wines are actually whites that have been made using red wine fermentation processes. Jose Mourinho launches new side hustle alongside Fenerbahce job as John Terry vows to be first customer The wine remains in contact with the skins and develops a different taste profile, and an orange hue. Either of these exciting styles could well steal the show at your barbecue. Advertisement Do not be tempted to pour large measures. Remember, your average beer comes in at around 4.5 per cent alcohol by volume (ABV) while a glass of wine will be an average 12-14 per cent ABV. TRYING NEW PAIRINGS So go easy on those pours - and don't use your best glassware. This is meant to be a fun event so there could well be a glass or two broken. Finally, it is a barbecue and meant to be fun. Traditional rules for pairing food and wine – reds with red meat and whites with fish - are fine but not absolute. Advertisement What makes pairing fun is trying new pairings. Go for it, and you will enjoy it more if you drink in moderation. FIRST CHOICE THE first wine I ever purchased in a Dublin restaurant was a bottle of Black Tower – almost half a century ago! The white choice was limited: Blue Nun, Le Piat d'Or or Black Tower. The sleek black bottle of the latter was always my first choice. So, I'm taking something of nostalgic walk back to 1975 this week and sipping from a new range of Black Tower wines, with a snazzy makeover – and perfect for For the moment their Fruity White, Sylvaner Pinot Grigio and Riesling wines are currently available at All are reasonably light on Domaine De La Chauvinière Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine 2022 (ABV 12%) 5 Currently €11.95 @ O'Briens Wine Grape: Melon-de-Bourgogne Advertisement THE Huchet Crafted from fruit gathered off old vines, the wine has a light lemon colour, and delivers citrus and ripe pear aromas. Time on the lees (spent yeast cells), adds weight to a crisp and zesty palate with good acidity, plenty of citrus notes, with a honeyed lift and saline finish. Enjoy with: Anything from the sea, particularly oysters. Advertisement Star rating: **** Sherwood Estate Pinot Noir 2022 (ABV 13.5%) 5 Currently €21.95 @ O'Briens Wine Grape: Pinot Noir Advertisement SILKY smooth Pinot from the Sherwood family's vineyards at Waipara Valley on A bright, clear pale garnet colour, it has heady floral and red berry (strawberry and raspberry) fruit aromas, with a light sprinkling of spice. The palate is supple with softened tannins and lashings of raspberry and plum fruit. The lingering finish has a nice oaky note. Chill slightly. Advertisement Enjoy with: Pork medallions in a cream sauce. Star rating: **** Black Tower Club Edition Sauvignon Blanc 2024 (ABV 12%) 5 Currently €10 at SuperValu outlets Advertisement Grape: Sauvignon Blanc FRESH and zippy Sauvignon Blanc from the cool climate Palatinate region in southwest With a light lemon/lime colour when poured, it has satisfying aromatics of cut grass, stone fruit and a wisp of minerality. The light but pleasing palate has balanced acidity, with notes of passion fruit and grapefruit. Reasonable length. Advertisement Enjoy with: Salads, grilled seafood. Star rating: *** THIS WEEK'S BARGAIN BOTTLE OUR promise is to bring Irish Sun wine lovers a taste-tested wine each weekend for under a tenner. The cost of glass, packaging, labelling and transport have sky-rocketed in recent years. Advertisement So, finding excellent value tipples is getting harder - but we have sourced some great wines and will bring you a super sipper recommendation every weekend. Pays d'Oc Gris Rosé 2022 (ABV 12%) 5 Currently €7.99 @ Lidl outlets Grape: Grenache Advertisement WE are gearing up for our eagerly-awaited Rosé fortnight in June, and as samples have begun to arrive for tasting, I came across the super Summer sipper. A pale pink, with characteristic Grenache aromas of soft red fruits on the nose. The palate is clean and nicely crisp, with good acidity and a wisp of raspberry and strawberry notes on a very satisfying finish. Enjoy with: Cold meats, or salads at your barbie. Advertisement Star rating: ***
