Already thinking about the perfect rosé for your first picnic in the park? Here are three sustainable French rosés worth seeking out.
Rosé in spring: a delicate pleasure
Spring doesn’t just bring nature back to life — it brings a craving for light, refreshing wine along with it. Rosé, long dismissed as a purely summer pour, has been winning fans year-round. So what makes it so special, and why does it suit spring in particular?
French winemakers craft rosé from red grapes prized for their delicate colour and refreshing character. The skins spend only a brief moment in contact with the must, just long enough to extract colour and aroma — a light touch that shapes both the wine’s pale hue and its range of flavours, from fruity to spiced.
More and more estates are also turning to organic farming, gentler methods and sustainability throughout the winemaking process. Organic rosés, made from organically grown grapes without chemical pesticides or herbicides, offer not just a purer taste experience, but a clear conscience to go with it.
Spring marks a season of renewal — the perfect moment to reach for lighter wines and take in nature at its fullest. The fresh aromas and lively acidity of rosé pair beautifully with the season’s first warm sunshine and delicate blossoms.
Our top sustainable French rosés
2022 Château Margüi Rosé - Côteaux Varois en Provence AOP, Skywalker Vineyards (organic)
Our editorial favourite is this year’s official wine of the Cannes Film Festival. Château Margüi Rosé 2022 charms with its delicate colour and peach-toned reflections, seducing the nose with raspberry and honeydew melon layered over a fine citrus freshness. On the palate, it’s softly creamy, with wild strawberry, vineyard peach and a hint of quince jelly and redcurrant. A refined Provence rosé that captures the essence of the region through its many facets and a subtle whisper of lavender. This exceptional rosé pairs beautifully with a range of dishes — particularly recommended alongside octopus à la plancha, marinated in olive oil with a pinch of pepper, and a refreshing strawberry and mint salad.
Price: 0.75 l / €18
Astros – Absolu Rosé 2022
Absolu is an organic rosé that captures the best of the vines Astros has selected, reflecting the light and character of a true Provençal terroir — chalky, dry soils paired with the poetry and enchantment of the vineyard. The Absolu cuvée reveals and underscores the beauty of untouched nature, offering a pure experience of wellbeing and harmony.
The wine is made through a selective night harvest, which limits oxidation and preserves the freshness of its aromas and fruit. Minimal use of processing aids also helps reduce sulphite levels, and traditional winemaking rounds out the production of this exceptional rosé.
A blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Shiraz, it shows a rich, complex and remarkably balanced structure on the palate — harmonious and lively, with a subtle mineral note that carries into a fresh, lingering finish.
This rosé is best served between 6 and 9°C, and pairs beautifully with white meat, ceviche or seafood. Visually, the Absolu is bright, clear and brilliant. On the nose, delicate notes of lemon and exotic fruit bring freshness, nuanced by a light iodine note. Available through the tesdorpf online shop.
Price: 0.75 l / €25.90
Ruinart – Champagne Rosé Second Skin
Founded in 1729, Ruinart is the world’s oldest champagne house and a symbol of French savoir-faire and savoir-vivre. Across three centuries of history, Ruinart has stood for an unwavering pursuit of excellence, specialising in the Chardonnay grape, which features in every blend and gives the Goût Ruinart its distinctive character.
The Champagne Rosé shows a pale pink colour with light orange tones and a fine, persistent mousse that lends it an elegant texture. On the nose, it opens with fresh, delicate notes of small red fruits and subtle hints of pomegranate. On the palate, it’s clean and refreshing, with a pleasant fullness and fruity nuances, finishing long with delicate notes of pink grapefruit. It pairs beautifully with salmon, rainbow trout, Italian ham or seafood.
The champagne comes in a new “Second Skin” packaging made from 100 percent recyclable cardboard, another Ruinart innovation. This eco-friendly packaging shows off the beauty of the Ruinart bottle while underscoring the brand’s commitment to sustainability, even though this particular champagne isn’t organic. You can buy it at 8Wines — a guaranteed showstopper in any picnic basket.
Price: 0.75 l / €95.93
