As the golden days of summer start to stretch toward their final curtain call, there’s no better time to uncork a bottle (or three) of rosé. But not just any pink drink will do. I’ve rounded up nine exceptional rosés… from fizzy Cava to elegant Champagne, from Texas Malbec to Columbia Valley Grenache that go beyond the typical porch-pounder. These bottles shimmer with personality: some flirt with fruit, others seduce with texture and terroir. Whether you’re toasting a sunset, pairing with grilled seafood, or dreaming of the Côte d’Azur from your patio, this is your curated guide to rosés worth lingering over before the last warm breeze fades.

#1 - The Pale Rosé, Provence, France

Once a group of Sip Tripper tasters supped this rosé, they began to chant, “Hail to the Pale!” Why?

Because this effortlessly cool summer sip with the fun bottle design is a perfect representation of Provence, France rosés. Notably, The Pale was created by Sacha Lichine, the man behind Whispering Angel, and it follows the same philosophy: elegant, dry, and ultra-refreshing. But this one leans even more minimalist… think grey-pink hue, crisp texture, and that perfectly pale aesthetic that practically sips itself poolside, rooftop, or wherever summer finds you.

On the nose, a faint citrus, white peach, and rose petal aromas greet you. The palate is dry and clean with great balance… no sweetness here, just a zippy, mouthwatering finish.

At $17.99, it’s a no-brainer bottle to keep on hand all summer long.

#2 - Nicolas Feuillatte Reserve Exclusive Rosé Champagne

This Champagne proved a fan favorite during a large group tasting of various bubbles from around the world. Of course, we began with Champagne, and this one was a radiant, refined expression from one of Champagne’s most celebrated cooperatives: Nicolas Feuillatte. The label may represent a modern name in Champagne, but it’s rooted in tradition and precision. The Réserve Exclusive Rosé blends the region’s classic trio: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay, with Pinot Noir leading the charge to give it structure and that beautiful blush color.

In the glass, a luminous salmon-pink hue with lively, persistent bubbles leads to an aroma of wild strawberry, raspberry, red currant, and a touch of orange zest. Think summer berry tart with a Champagne twist.

On the palate, it’s dry and crisp with a creamy mousse and a clean, elegant finish. Pair this with something different, like spicy fried chicken or Thai spring rolls (yes, seriously).

At $55, this bottle brings all the prestige and pleasure of Champagne without breaking the bank. It’s polished, food-friendly, and always celebration-worthy.

#3 – Tirriddis Brut Rose R. 4, Columbia Valley AVA, Washington

This bottle of blush bubbles was produced stateside, in Washington’s Columbia Valley AVA. It’s a wine that blends tradition, creativity, and regional character as a beautiful expression of Columbia Valley’s diversity. The blend is unexpected but brilliant:

33% Syrah, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Pinot Gris, 9% Merlot, and 5% Chardonnay. Think of it as a Pacific Northwest innovation in a Champagne-style frame.

This Brut Rosé is made in the traditional method, just like Champagne, which means it’s bottle-fermented for fine bubbles and complexity. The result? A wine that’s dry, textural, and nuanced, with plenty of character from both red and white grapes.

In the glass, the color is a stunning pale salmon pink. On the nose, you’ll find red currants, wild strawberries, a hint of rose petal, and a subtle bready note from the lees aging. On the palate, it’s elegant and crisp, with lively acidity, a creamy mousse, and a mineral finish that keeps you coming back for more. Because this is a blend of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, a perfect pairing would be grilled salmon with a citrus glaze, if only to bring structure to match the richness of the dish.

At $33, this is a boutique bottle that overdelivers on both quality and experience. Tirriddis shows what happens when New World terroir meets Old World technique, but with a fresh, modern spin.

#4 - Vilarnau Brut Reserve Rosé Cava, Barcelona, Spain

This Cava stole the show for best value, taste, and bottle design. Made with organically grown Garnacha and Pinot Noir, right away we noticed the color was a delicate, ballet-slipper pink. And then the aromatics took over: violets, roses, and all those ripe red berries: strawberries, raspberries, blueberries. It was like a blooming garden with a bowl of fruit nearby.

This wine spends at least 15 months on the lees, so you get that subtle creamy texture that makes Cava such a sleeper hit in the sparkling world. On the palate, it’s smooth, fresh, elegant… and seriously food-friendly.

At just $16 a bottle, Vilarnau Rosé is the kind of sparkling you stock up on and never regret.

#5 – Jean-Luc Colombo 2024 Cape Bleue Rosé, France

This pale pink beauty is a toast to summer. Spun from Syrah and Mourvèdre, it pours blush and full of promise. The nose is a delicate blend of rose petals, ripe peach skin, and a faint flutter of white pepper. It's a wine that leans in close, perfumed, and poised, a little like someone you might connect with on a hot summer’s night ferry ride.

On the palate, it’s crisp, but not sharp. The roundness of ripe raspberry, the savory whisper of fennel, and a mineral thread running through it all like a silk ribbon. There’s a surprising complexity here for something so unpretentious. It’s elegant without trying too hard, the kind of wine that makes grilled sardines and sautéed spinach taste like seaside haute cuisine. And don’t be afraid to pour it over a glass of ice if that’s where the moment takes you.

At under $19, Cape Bleue is meant to be shared, preferably at sunset, and preferably with salt on your skin. As Colombo himself says, each glass is meant to celebrate the simple and profound joys of life. Mission deliciously accomplished.

#6 – Grape Creek Vineyards 2022 Rosé of Malbec, Texas

Texas Hill Country has long flirted with my wanderlust. It’s a place whispered about for its German charm, wildflowers, and, more recently, its burgeoning wine scene. I haven’t walked its sun-drenched vineyards (yet), but one sip of this rosé of Malbec was enough to transport me there.

This is not your average porch-pounder. It pours a deep blush, as if it’s more summer sunset than pale Provence. From the first swirl, it sings in a Texan twang: floral aromas mingle with ripe red plum, raspberry, and the cool sweetness of watermelon. It’s dry, and there’s a plushness here, a generosity of fruit that feels honest.

Rosé of Malbec is a rarity, and in the hands of Grape Creek, it becomes something elegant and inviting. The wine strikes that lovely tension between heft and freshness, making it perfect for grilled pork tacos, peach-glazed chicken, or simply a golden hour toast to places still on the to-visit list. Bottle price: $43

#7 – Dutcher Crossing 2023 Grenache Rosé, Winemakers’ Cellar, Dry Creek Valley, California

This California classic with its velvet touch feels like a homecoming to this wine journalist. I’m immediately transported into the familiar, yet somehow still surprised at Dutcher Crossing’s excellence in winemaking. This summer pink is everything I adore about Dry Creek Valley in a glass. The place, the grape, the winemaker’s touch… it’s all here, and it’s all hitting the right notes.

Aromas unfold like a summer morning: just-cut watermelon, citrus blossoms carried on a breeze, white peaches ripened to perfection, and that unmistakable scent of wet stone after a warm rain. There’s even a hint of sweet cream, as if someone folded a dollop of decadence into all that freshness.

What sets this apart is balance. Grenache brings the fruit, the valley brings the lift, and each bottle tastes intentionally crafted. It’s textured but light on its feet, like a silk scarf on bare skin.

Pair this with grilled shrimp, goat cheese tartlets, or nothing at all. Dutcher Crossing doesn’t miss, and this 2023 rosé proves (once again) that California doesn’t need to emulate Provence. It’s writing its own rosé love letter… one sip at a time.

Bottle price: $40 and worth every penny.

#8 – Browne Family Bitner Estate 2023 Grenache Rosé, Columbia Valley, Washington

This bottle offers subtle elegance in every sip. It’s a gentle companion, not a show-off, and that’s precisely its charm.

It pours the color of a soft peach blush. Its nose is delicate but expressive: rose petal, pink grapefruit, and on the palate, it’s wet stone and cranberry sauce-esque that mingles with bright citrus, giving way to a whisper of key lime.

There’s minerality here, and this wine journalist is a huge fan. Pair it with steamer clams, a pile of market vegetables, or a plate of aged gouda and prosciutto.

This is rosé as it should be: not just something to drink, but something to savor. Bottle price: $20

#9 – Gassier 2024 Rosé, Côtes de Provence, France

If the South of France could be distilled into a single bottle, it might very well be this Côte d’Azur in a Glass. Certified organic and effortlessly chic, this Côtes de Provence cuvée captures everything we romanticize about the Mediterranean: the breeze, the sun, the scent of citrus groves and stone fruit orchards in bloom.

Pale and elegant with a whisper of white nectarine in its hue, the wine opens with a graceful aromatic dance of peach, clementine, and a flicker of tropical fruit. On the palate, the balance is tension and roundness in perfect step.

The finish is long, clean, and subtly zesty, begging for a bite of sushi, shrimp skewers, or a salmon and mango poke bowl. This isn’t a rosé for sipping and forgetting. You’ll want a few bottles on hand for rooftop aperitifs, beachside lunches, or simply to turn your patio into a Provençal afternoon. This limited-edition release is a reminder that great rosé transports. Bottle price: $24.99