11 Great and Affordable Rosés to Chill Out with Right Now

Remember when the prospect finding a decent rosé at your local market or, heaven forbid, on a wine list was a water-in-the-desert task? No? Then you’re one of the lucky ones who came of age during what can only be referred to as the Rosé Renaissance. But for those of us who do remember the not-so-rosy years, well, let’s just say approaching all blushing bottles with a healthy dose of side-eye was par for the popping. Today? Now? The choices are so vast and wonderful, you’ll find yourself dizzy from the overflow before you even take a sip. And hooray to that!

In a way, the massive flow of rosé on our shores makes it seem a little like this blushing bout of imbibing is new—it’s not. Making rosé can be traced back to ancient Greece, when both red and white grapes were co-crushed and co-fermented, making a pinky plonk to serve the masses. And all that low-cal, low-alcohol stuff you’re seeing on shelves? That’s not new either—the ancients used to dilute their alcohol because higher octane was considered the hooch of hooligans. Go figure.

We encourage you to explore pink all year. And don’t worry; it’s not like nouveau. Yes, typically rosés are meant to be consumed around recent vintages, but if you see one from last year, or even the year before, go for it. Some producers even age their rosés! But that’s a conversation for another time.

This list is by no means exhaustive—not even close! But it does represent a nice, juicy, global glug of sunset-hued options to kick off the start of summer. Salut!

Epoch Rosé 2021, $27

Paso Robles has made its mark for its comely way with Rhone-centric grape varieties, which are on gorgeous display here in this Willow Creek District blend of Mourvedre, Grenache, and Syrah. But despite the might that these grapes can give, here winemaker Jordan Fiorentini’s deft hand creates the ultimate refreshing, pale pink with sprightly aromas and flavors of fresh summer strawberries and cherries.

The Pale Rosé by Sacha Lichine 2020, $16.99

From Provence, the be-all, end-all in rosé culture, this food-friendly offering from Lichine has a surprisingly fuller, more plush texture for a 12.5% abv wine than your typical beach-sipper, with great notes of tangerine and yellow cherries, and a slightly tongue-snappy sensation that speaks to a little extra skin contact and just-right acidity.

The Y Series Sangiovese Rosé 2021, $15

Crack open this screwtop Aussie pink for a citrusy, strawberry-scented summer’s day treat. One of South Australia’s oldest producers, Yalumba sources the naturally fermented Sangiovese here from a trio of different vineyards and, thus, soil types to find just the right balance of fruit, acidity, and light body.

Angel’s Ink Rosé 2021, $25

This angel earns its wings by hitting that just-right combo of creating a sessionable rosé with a side of sophistication. Pale, pale pink, and entirely refreshing, with flavors of sweet-tart pink lady apples, a hint of minerality, and a lime-citrusy wash of acidity that’s hot-day approved (something they know about in Angel’s origins on the Central Coast of California).

Mezzacorona “Ventessa” Pinot Grigio Rosé 2021, $12.99

Another entry into low-cal, low-alcohol (9% abv) genre, Ventessa is surprisingly alluring. There’s no great complexity here, but its juicy flavors of cantaloupe and peach are thoroughly delicious without tilting into the sticky-sweet-stuff realm, and if you care about such things, it boasts 90 calories a serving. An excellent, decent-quality option for those weening themselves off of a White Zinfandel habit. And if you’re a little confused by the grape: Yes, Pinot Grigio is the source of rivers of white wine, but, fun fact, its skins are actually pink.

Berne “Inspiration” Rosé 2021, $21.99

If it’s Provence-or-bust for you, there’s something so wonderfully classic about this pretty Provencal pink. It’s completely juicy and quenching, with just the right balance of delicate fruit and acidity coming from the blend of Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah. It’s more than just a summer-in-a-bottle quencher, though; pair up the orange-flower-water scented, strawberry-flecked flavors with grilled shrimp, fresh tomato and basil salad, and herb and olive-oil tossed potatoes at your next backyard grilling get-together. Bonus: Through August 31st, you can enter to win a 4-day, 3-night trek to Provence. See details here.

Justin Rosé 2021, $20

This Syrah-centric rosy-hued pink from Paso Robles will be a versatile favorite at your summer table and soirees, with its notes of summer basil, crisp, juicy Pink Lady apples, and fresh-pressed watermelon juice, with just a little lemony zip that balances the mouth filling plush and pleasant weight of this warm-weather, food-friendly sipper.

Anthony Road Rosé of Cabernet Franc 2021 $18

Excellent winemaker Peter Becraft is one of the stars of modern Finger Lakes winemaking—and, hell, let’s just throw down: New York wines in general. (If you haven’t tasted any of his skin-fermented whites, do it! They’re so, so damn good.) Here, his take on a classic FLX Cabernet Franc highlights the stony minerality of the region’s terroir and offers up aromas and flavors of pink grapefruit and summer cherries that come off more intense and concentrated on the palate than its pale pink hue might imply. At $18 bucks a bottle, it’s case-buying territory.

Lavignone Rosato 2021, $20

Made by the brothers behind Pico Maccario in the heart of Piedmont’s Barbera d’Asti, these fourth-generation growers are entirely focused on the Barbera grape, and you’ll thoroughly dig the medium intensity of this darker-side-of-pale rosato with its gentle floral aromas and flavors of juicy strawberries and grapefruit.

Black Girl Magic Rosé 2021, $19.99

Robin and Andréa McBride are magic, indeed. If you don’t know their mind-boggling origin story (they spent most of their lives not knowing the other existed), look it up. It’s going to be a movie someday, mark our words. But they also do a lot of good in the world, helping other women and women of color to get a leg up in the industry, and to that we say huzzah!! And happily toast them both with this juicy, super fun, deep pink, fruit-centric Pinot Noir rosé sourced from Monterey with its notes of dribbly, ripe peaches, cantaloupe, and grapefruit.

Librandi Rosato 2021, $15

Need a house rosé to keep on hand to impress the unimpressible in your crew? Then grab a case of this crazy affordable, gorgeous pink from under-the-radar Calabria, where the red grape Gaglioppo rules supreme (and you’ll sound like a super-cool smarty schooling your guests on it). Like all of Italy, Calabria is nothing if not a place of amazing foods and wines that cleave to them, as evidenced here in this coppery-pink rosato. It’s got a little herbaceous with notes of fresh oregano, mint, and whisper of pine and orange zest, and flavors of concentrated cherries and tangerine juice and zest, with a pleasingly gentle tannic dryness on the finish. Let the less creative drink their Whispering Angels and overpriced Otts—this is so, so much better and cooler (and easier on your pocketbook).