If you’ve stepped outside lately — and unless you’ve been living under a rock, you probably have — it’s sweltering this summer.
And is this summer as scorching as the last? The University of Maine’s Climate Change Institute reported that on July 4, 2023, it was thehottest day on Earthin 125,000 years, with global temperatures hitting 62.92 degrees Fahrenheit as cities worldwide recorded unprecedented highs.
But it’s summer — the season we’ve been waiting for all winter. You still want to take that lake getaway, host the backyard barbecue or enjoy a beach picnic.
On a scorching afternoon, a cold beer might hit the spot for some. Others prefer a chilled margarita. And many opt for a crisp, cold glass of rosé.
“Nothing whispers summer more than a pale pink dry wine from Provence,” saidElise Loehr, advanced sommelier and former beverage director at 360 Bistro in Nashville, Tennessee. “In blazing weather, rosés are often lower in alcohol (around 11%–13%), so you can enjoy a couple of glasses without overheating.”
Rosé is also very adaptable. It suits brunch, lunch, dinner or an appetizer and pairs beautifully with light fare, salads, shellfish and fish, Loehr notes.
Although rosé sometimes carries an upscale reputation, you can find plenty of wallet-friendly options. Manygreat inexpensive rosésare priced at $15 or less.
What Exactly Is Rosé?
“While there are various techniques to produce pink or blush wines, most rosé is made by allowing red grape skins to touch the juice for a short time at the start of fermentation,” Loehr explained. “Sometimes that contact only lasts a few hours.”
So rosé isn’t made from a special “rosé” grape. As the team atWine Follynotes, “Pink wine occupies the color range between red and white — in a sense, rosé is more of an attitude than a grape.”
Red wines typically ferment for weeks with their skins, Loehr added. Any red grape can yield a rosé — Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Nebbiolo, Pinot Noir and more.
“The winemaker decides the wine’s color and removes the red skins once the desired hue is reached. Also, grapes with thicker skins tend to produce a deeper color,” Loehr said.
Top Cheap Rosés Under $15
To help you find a summer-ready rosé, we compiled a list of excellent inexpensive rosés with input from Loehr.
1. Quinta da Raza Vinho Verde Rosado
“This rosé blends local Portuguese Vinho Verde red grapes. It’s an airy rosé, slightly off-dry, with a light, refreshing tingle,” Loehr says. “A fantastic value — delightful on its own or paired with spicy shrimp tacos.”
2. Mary Taylor Saint-Pourçain Rosé
This tasty rosé displays a medium salmon-pink shade with aromas of peach, apricot, hints of raspberry and rose petals. Loehr describes it as having “a crisp, refreshing quality and a mouthwatering finish.” She recommends serving it alongside a strawberry and goat cheese summer salad.
Winemaker Mary Taylor collaborates with growers across Europe who craft “distinctive regional wines at very accessible prices” and approaches wine as everyday enjoyment rather than a luxury, Loehr explains.
3. Landhaus Mayer Zweigelt Rosé
Loehr says this Austrian rosé offers “delicate notes of raspberry, strawberry and light citrus. It’s excellent as a refreshing aperitif, alongside seared fish, poultry and a variety of summer tapas.”
4. Moulin de Gassac Guilhem Rosé by Mas de Daumas Gassac
The renowned Mas de Daumas Gassac estate in France “relies on time-honored practices, organic farming, hand-harvesting and respect for nature,” Loehr says. The blend contains 35% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 30% Carignan.
“This light pink rosé is crisp and dry with subtle citrus and red currant notes,” she adds.
5. Bieler Pere Et Fils Rosé Provence
This quintessential French rosé for warm days is also among the best budget-friendly options.
“This producer focuses on Grenache-led red blends and rosés,” Loehr says. “They’re dry and restrained with notes of white peach, Rainier cherry, herbes de Provence and white tea.”
6. Hopler Pannonica Rosé
Hopler is a family-run Austrian winery southeast of Vienna in Burgenland. Internet Wines notes this producer crafted thehouse winesfor the Trapp Family Lodge made famous byThe Sound of Music.
This rosé is “a blend of noble Austrian varieties — Pinot Noir, St. Laurent and Blaufränkisch,” Loehr says. “It’s a delicate light pink with pear and lychee aromas and a very smooth, easy finish.”
7. Domaine Vetriccie
“Although Corsica is administratively part of France, its wines often have an Italian sensibility,” Loehr notes. “This wine shows fresh melon, pomegranate and subtle minerality. It’s lively, bright and ideal with herbed chicken and grilled vegetables.”
Two More to Try
The Savinly team selected two personal favorites from our staff. We’re not professional sommeliers, but we’ve enjoyed our share of glasses, and these picks deliver.
8. Côtes de Provence Rosé
Also known as the “Aldi Rosé” from the budget supermarket chain, this lovely bottle has earned numerous awards, including at the International Wine Challenge and Great Value Awards.
Aldi describes it as having strawberry notes and pairing nicely with fish, seafood and salads. Its attractive curved bottle also helps it stand out as an excellent cheap rosé.
Price: $10 (varies by location)
9. La Patience Rosé
Christophe Aguilar’s family domaine, named after a hardy Mediterranean herb called “la patience” that grows throughout the vineyards, began in 1930 and has been certified organic since 2007.
This rosé is described as light, crisp and fruity with strong nectarine and red fruit character.
Michael Carter is a contributor at Savinly covering tips on earning, saving and managing money. He has written about personal finance for more than a decade.
