House Wines: Rosé
2015: Gold 2 Silver 3 Bronze 3 Commended 6
2014: Gold 1 Silver 1 Bronze 5 Commended 2
Traditionally, the House Rosé category sees the kind of drop-out rate in the early stages of the competition more normally associated with a French university in the 1960s. And while there was, once again, something of a Bonfire of the Pinks in Round One, our tasters were much happier than usual – probably because the move to the pale-pink ‘Provence style’ has seen the death of many of the out-of-balance Sugar Monsters. There was a lot more elegance and balance here than a few years ago.
FOOTNOTE: The price limit for House Wine is £5.50 ex-VAT.
From the Tasting Teams
‘I still find this idea that rosé has to be pale to be a bit limiting. It just isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, especially for a house wine under £5.’ Robert Tozser, The Rib Room
‘It’s really crucial to have a credible, flexible and vibrant rosé offer. It’s good to keep at least one all year and then list one entry wine, one very affordable example and one higher up in the middle of summer.’ Mya Brown, Vinoteca Marylebone
‘With people increasingly drinking rosé throughout the year, it’s worth listing more than one rosé to allow them to explore.’ Claire Love, Love’s Restaurant