The Best Rosé Wines in India: Meet the Winners of the Cosmo India SNAs

1. Best Rosé For Brunch: Mateus Rosé Original

This fresh, light, and slightly petillant Mateus Rosé Original is all about fun and togetherness. What better way to celebrate a gathering of close friends over brunch—or a ‘drunch’—than with this rather pretty bottle? It immediately grabs eyeballs at the table with its bright pink hue, and is seductive with a fine and intense bouquet and the joviality of a young wine. In the mouth, it’s well balanced and tempting, and complemented by a soft and slightly fizzy finish. Mateus is a renowned name in wines from Portugal, and this rosé is made by Antonio Braga with the following grape varieties: Baga (red), Rufete (light red), Tinta Barroca (red), and Touriga Franca (dark-skinned grape). This wine follows the traditional method for making white wine, and fermentation is carried out slowly, with no skins, in stainless steel vats. Next, it is cold-stabilised and bottled. Make sure you serve this delightful rosé chilled (between 6-8°C). Besides Italian food, it pairs well with Indian, Thai, Chinese, and Japanese dishes, as well as salads and seafood.

Credits: Daydream Earrings, Amama, ₹2,000

2. Best Rosé For Brunch - Editor’s Choice: Lancer’s Rosé

This is a rosé from Portugal that comes from the Syrah, Aragonez, Touriga Nacional, Castelao, and Trincadeira varieties in the Setúbal peninsula—that are mixed together with fermentation for a short period before the rosé is bottled. It was created 60 years ago by the Soares Franco family, owners of Portugal’s historic and highly regarded JM Fonseca winery. Cosmo Editor Nandini Bhalla picked it not only for its superlative fruity taste and quirky bottle (it is a rather unusual shape!), but also for its pink colour—that has just that hint of orange. This rosé has an aroma of red berries nuanced with tropical fruits. In the mouth it feels like a medium-bodied, fruity wine that is sweet and slightly sparkling, perfect for a brunch out with the ladies! This rosé is a great accompaniment to spicy Indian food as the slight effervescence cleanses the palate.

Credits: Sunglasses, Vogue Eyewear, price on request

3. Best Rosé For Summer

The Source Grenache Rosé

Picked as India’s finest rosé at the India Wine Awards 2019, this Grenache Rosé embodies languorous summer days by the beach, lively summer evenings, and fun in the company of good friends. No wonder it’s our pick for the best rosé for the warmest months of the year. Made in the temperate climes of India’s Nashik valley, and using 100 percent Grenache grapes from Sula’s vineyards, the Source collection’s qualities are a wonderful citrusy flavour of tropical fruits and white peach, with a bright acidity and an elegant finish. It is not very sweet, and has a controlled body, but it is fruity and pairs well with grilled fish, falafel, barbecued meats, salads, and even samosas.

Credits: Sunglasses, Versace, price on request

4. Best Rosé For Winter - Editor’s Choice

Grover Zampa Art Collection Shiraz Rosé

If you’re going to sip on a rosé this season, might as well make it a Shiraz. This Art Collection Shiraz Rosé from Indian winery Grover Zampa pushes all the right buttons. Cosmo Editor Nandini Bhalla loves its light cherry shade with hints of orange, visible in the classic bottle with a specially designed label by Bengaluru-based artist Rekha Rodwittya, that represents a striking female figure. Made with 100 percent Shiraz grape, it has the delicate aromas of cherry and strawberry jam—the latter quite the winter staple, if you think of comfort food such as a toast or crumpets with jam. On the palate, it’s fruity, light-bodied, and smooth, and pairs well with lightly spiced Indian food—especially fish and chicken dishes and stir-fried cuisine. To enjoy, serve chilled at 5°C or you can blend it with puréed strawberries and sugar syrup for a fun winter cocktail while you are basking in the sun!

Credits: Link chain (for bags), stylist’s own

5. Overall Fabulous Rosé -Editor’s Choice

Condesa De Leganza Seleccion De Familia Tempranillo

This is a lovely, elegantly clean, bright, petal-hued rosé in a sleek bottle with a graceful lady’s silhouette on the label—made from the Spanish Tempranillo grape in a winery in Castilla-La Mancha. The literary, romantic setting of this winery won Cosmo Editor Nandini’s heart, besides the elegant floral notes that make this a delectable rosé. Situated amidst central Spain’s dry landscape (Toledo is the capital), in the heart of the Route of Don Quixote (the 17th century chivalrous hero of writer Cervantes), the Bodegas Leganza sits on 524 hectares of land that cultivate Tempranillo, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Verdejo, and Viura grapes. This particular rosé is lightweight, dry, and fresh, with red-berry and citrus notes that make for a medium-bodied finish and easy drinkability.

Credits: Pink Zephyr Earrings, Aetee, ₹6,000