A Comprehensive Guide To Some Of France’s Best Rosé Wine

France is the leading producer and exporter of rosé wine. Its rosé wine market has experienced significant growth over the past decade, driven by changing consumer preferences and increased interest in diverse wine styles. Rosé wine, known for its refreshing taste and versatile pairing options, has become a favorite among wine enthusiasts worldwide.

This feature is the third of a seven-part series exploring the major rosé wine-producing regions of the world. This installment will look at France’s main rosé wine-producing regions along with tasting notes on recommended wines.

The demand for rosé wine has surged globally, with a notable increase in production and consumption in key wine-producing regions of France, Spain, and Italy. These countries lead the market in terms of production volume and exports.

Rosé wine has gained popularity among younger consumers and millennials, who appreciate its vibrant color, approachable taste, and the lifestyle image it projects. Social media and marketing campaigns have also played a significant role in boosting its appeal.

Various methods are used to produce these wines, including direct pressing, light maceration, and saignée. Each method contributes to different flavor profiles and intensities, catering to diverse consumer tastes.

Stylistically, rosé wines typically feature red berries, along with floral elements, citric notes, and, sometimes, stone fruit flavors. Some can also exhibit a wet stone minerality. The specific red berry notes and their intensity vary depending on the producer, their production methods, and their choice of grape varietal.

Acidity can be quite pronounced in rosé wines produced in cool-climate regions and much more muted in wines from warm-climate areas. Likewise, tannic backbones can vary from quite noticeable, almost red wine-like structure to barely evident. Colors can range from nearly clear to deep red. Although there is no standard definition of what constitutes a rosé wine, the term is generally applied to wines from red grapes vinified as white grapes and exposed to minimal skin contact.

In the United States, the rosé wine market has expanded rapidly, with double-digit growth rates in both sales volume and value over the past few years, although both sales and volume growth have been moderating. This growth is attributed to increased consumer awareness and the introduction of high-quality domestic rosé wines.

Provence

Provence is France’s most famous rosé wine-producing region. It’s located along the Mediterranean coast, in the country’s southeast. Known for its beautiful landscapes and Mediterranean climate, Provence produces light, dry, and aromatic rosés. The soils consist of limestone, clay, and schist. The principal red grape varieties are Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, and Mourvèdre.

Major Producers and Recommended Wines:

Château d’Esclans, Whispering Angel

Pale pink, it has aromas of red berries and citrus. The palate is dry, crisp, and elegant, with a refreshing finish.

Domaines Ott, Château de Selle Rosé

It is a light salmon color with floral and citrus aromas. The taste is refined, with flavors of peach and apricot, and a hint of minerality.

Château Miraval, Miraval Rosé

It is pale pink and has delicate aromas of strawberries, white flowers, and a touch of salinity. The palate is fresh and vibrant, with a long, smooth finish.

Domaine Tempier, Bandol Rosé

It is bright pink, with peach and apricot aromas, and a hint of spice. The palate is full-bodied, with balanced acidity and a long finish.

Château Minuty, M de Minuty Rosé

Pale pink, it has aromas of citrus and white flowers. The palate is light and crisp, with a refreshing finish.

Tavel

Tavel, located in the southern Rhône Valley, is known exclusively for its robust and flavorful rosé wines. The region benefits from a warm Mediterranean climate and diverse limestone, sand, and clay soils. The principal red grape varieties are Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, and Mourvèdre.

Major Producers and Recommended Wines:

Château d’Aqueria, Tavel Rosé

Deep pink with aromas of red berries and herbs. The palate is rich and full-bodied, with a balanced acidity and a long finish.

Domaine de la Mordorée, La Dame Rousse Tavel Rosé

It is bright pink, with aromas of strawberry and raspberry and a hint of spice. The palate is robust, with balanced acidity and a lingering finish.

Château de Trinquevedel, Tavel Rosé

Dark pink, with aromas of red fruits and floral notes. The taste is full-bodied, with a refreshing acidity and a long, complex finish.

Domaine Maby, Prima Donna Tavel Rosé

Intense pink with aromas of cherry, strawberry and a touch of herbs. The palate is rich and balanced, with a crisp finish.

Domaine Lafond Roc-Epine, Tavel Rosé

Bright pink with aromas of raspberry, peach, and a hint of minerality. The palate is full and refreshing, with a long finish.

Loire Valley

The Loire Valley, known as the “Garden of France,” produces a wide range of wines, including elegant and aromatic rosés. The region benefits from a temperate climate and diverse limestone, clay, and schist soils. The principal grape varieties are Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Gamay, and Grolleau.

Major Producers and Recommended Wines:

Domaine de la Pépière, Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Rosé

Pale pink, it has aromas of red berries and citrus. The palate is light and refreshing, with a crisp finish.

Château de la Roulerie, Rosé d’Anjou

It is light pink and has aromas of strawberries and raspberries and a hint of floral notes. The palate is slightly sweet, with balanced acidity and a smooth finish.

Domaine des Baumard, Cabernet d’Anjou Rosé

It is bright pink and has aromas of cherry, red currants, and a touch of spice. The palate is medium-bodied, with refreshing acidity and a long finish.

Domaine Vacheron, Sancerre Rosé

Pale pink, it has aromas of fresh berries and citrus. The palate is elegant, with crisp acidity and a long, mineral finish.

Henri Bourgeois, Petit Bourgeois Rosé

It is light pink and has aromas of red berries and floral notes. The palate is light and refreshing, with balanced acidity and a crisp finish.

Languedoc-Roussillon

Languedoc-Roussillon is in southern France, along the Mediterranean coast between Provance/Cote d’Azur and Spain. It is known for its diverse and innovative wine production. The region benefits from a Mediterranean climate and varied limestone, clay, and schist soils. The principal red grape varieties are Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault.

Major Producers and Recommended Wines:

Mas de Daumas Gassac, Rosé Frizant

Pale pink, it has aromas of red berries, citrus, and a hint of herbs. The palate is light and refreshing, with a very fine mousse and a crisp finish.

Château Puech-Haut, Prestige Rosé

Light pink, this wine has aromas of strawberries and raspberries and a touch of floral notes. The palate is elegant, with balanced acidity and a long finish.

Domaine de la Mordorée, La Dame Rousse Rosé

Bright pink with aromas of red fruits, citrus, and a hint of spice. The palate is full-bodied with a refreshing acidity and a long finish.

Château de Lancyre¸ Pic Saint Loup Rosé

Pale pink, with cherry and peach aromas and a hint of minerality. The palate is light and crisp with a balanced finish.

Domaine de Nizas, Le Rosé

It is light pink and has strawberries, red currants, and herbs aromas. The palate is fresh and vibrant, with a crisp finish.

Corsica

Corsica, an island in the Tyrrhenian Sea, produces unique and aromatic wines, including elegant rosés. The island benefits from a warm climate and diverse granite, clay, and limestone soils. The principal grape varieties are Nielluccio, Sciaccarellu, and Grenache.

Major Producers and Recommended Wines:

Domaine Comte Abbatucci, Faustine Rosé

Pale pink, it has aromas of red berries, citrus, and a hint of herbs. The palate is light and refreshing, with balanced acidity and a crisp finish.

Clos Canarelli, Rosé Corse Figari

Light pink, this wine has aromas of strawberries and raspberries and a touch of floral notes. The palate is elegant, with balanced acidity and a long finish.

Domaine de Torraccia, Rosé Corse Porto-Vecchio

Bright pink with aromas of cherry, peach, and a hint of minerality. The palate is light and crisp, with a balanced finish.

Domaine Maestracci, Rosé Corse Calvi

Pale pink, it has aromas of red berries, citrus, and slightly herbal. The palate is fresh and vibrant, with a crisp finish.

Clos Culombu, Rosé de Corse

It is light pink and has aromas of strawberries and raspberries with a touch of floral notes. The palate is light and refreshing, with balanced acidity and a crisp finish.

Rhône Valley

The Rhône Valley in southeastern France is known for its diverse wine production, including robust red wines and flavorful rosés. The region benefits from a Mediterranean climate and varied granite, clay, and limestone soils. The principal red grape varieties are Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault.

Major Producers and Recommended Wines:

E. Guigal, Côtes du Rhône Rosé

It is bright pink and has aromas of red berries, peach, and a touch of spice. The palate is full-bodied, with refreshing acidity and a long finish.

Chateau de Beaucastel, Coudoulet de Beaucastel Rosé

It has a delicate and elegant profile, characterized by a pale salmon-pink color and enticing aromas of fresh strawberries, peaches, and citrus. It delivers a harmonious balance of vibrant acidity and subtle minerality on the palate, leading to a refreshing and refined finish.

M. Chapoutier, Belleruche Rosé

It is light pink and has aromas of red berries, citrus, and herbs. The palate is light and refreshing, with a crisp finish.

Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe, Rosé

Pale pink with aromas of cherry and peach and a hint of minerality. The palate is light and crisp with a balanced finish.

Domaine de la Janasse, Côtes du Rhône Rosé

It is bright pink and has aromas of red fruits, citrus, and a touch of spice. The palate is full-bodied, with refreshing acidity and a long finish.

Bordeaux

Bordeaux in southwestern France is known for its prestigious red wines and elegant rosés. The region benefits from a maritime climate and varied gravel, clay, and limestone soils. The principal grape varieties are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc.

Major Producers and Recommended Wines:

Château Brown, Bordeaux Rosé

It is light pink and has aromas of red berries, citrus, and a hint of floral notes. The palate is light and refreshing, with balanced acidity and a crisp finish.

Château Puygueraud, Bordeaux Clairet

It is bright pink, with aromas of cherry, raspberry, and a touch of spice. The palate is full-bodied, with refreshing acidity and a long finish.

Château de Sours, Bordeaux Rosé

Pale pink, it has aromas of strawberries, raspberries, and a hint of citrus. The palate is light and refreshing, with a crisp finish.

Château Thieuley, Bordeaux Rosé

It is light pink and has aromas of red berries, citrus, and a hint of floral notes. The palate is light and refreshing, with balanced acidity and a crisp finish.

Château Haut Rian, Bordeaux Rosé

It is bright pink, with aromas of red fruits, citrus, and a touch of herbs. The palate is light and crisp, with a balanced finish.

Beaujolais

Beaujolais, located in eastern France, is known for its light and fruity red wines and its fresh and vibrant rosés. The region benefits from a continental climate and varied granite, clay, and limestone soils. The principal red grape variety is Gamay.

Major Producers and Recommended Wines:

Château Thivin, Beaujolais Rosé

It is light pink and has aromas of red berries, citrus, and a hint of floral notes. The palate is light and refreshing, with balanced acidity and a crisp finish.

Domaine du Vissoux, Beaujolais Rosé

It is bright pink, with aromas of cherry, raspberry, and a touch of spice. The palate is light and refreshing, with balanced acidity and a long finish.

Georges Duboeuf, Beaujolais Rosé

Pale pink, it has aromas of strawberries, raspberries, and a hint of citrus. The palate is light and refreshing, with a crisp finish.

Louis Jadot, Beaujolais Rosé

It is light pink and has aromas of red fruits, citrus, and a hint of floral notes. The palate is light and refreshing, with balanced acidity and a crisp finish.

Jean-Paul Brun, Beaujolais Rosé

It is bright pink with aromas of cherry, peach, and a hint of minerality. The palate is light and crisp, with a balanced finish.

Savoie

Savoie, located in the French Alps, is known for its unique and aromatic wines, including elegant rosés. The region benefits from a cool alpine climate and diverse limestone, clay, and marl soils. The principal red grape varieties are Gamay, Mondeuse, and Pinot Noir.

Major Producers and Recommended Wines:

Domaine des Ardoisières, Argile Rosé

Pale pink, it has aromas of red berries, citrus, and a hint of herbs. The palate is light and refreshing, with balanced acidity and a crisp finish.

Domaine Dupasquier, Rosé de Savoie

It is light pink and has aromas of strawberries and raspberries and a hint of floral notes. The palate is light and refreshing, with balanced acidity and a long finish.

Domaine Belluard, Rosé de Savoie

Bright pink, it has aromas of cherry and peach and a hint of minerality. The palate is light and crisp, with a balanced finish.

Domaine Vullien, Rosé de Savoie

Pale pink, it has aromas of red berries, citrus, and a hint of herbs. The palate is light and refreshing, with balanced acidity and a crisp finish.

Domaine des Côtes Rousses, Rosé de Savoie

It is light pink and has aromas of strawberries and raspberries and a hint of floral notes. The palate is light and refreshing, with balanced acidity and a long finish.

These regions, producers, and wines showcase the diversity and quality of France’s rosé wines. Each region brings unique characteristics to the table, offering wine enthusiasts a broad spectrum of flavors and styles to explore.

See also A Comprehensive Guide to the rose wines of Italy, Spain, France, Portugal, Germany, The USA, and Australia & New Zealand