Sales of rosé are soaring, and these are the 10 best bottles under £10 to buy

It’s no surprise that rosé wine has become a top buy over the past few weeks. With many of us enjoying more wine at home, in some cases unable to holiday abroad, and with the sun shining brightly in the sky again, the appeal of a fruity, refreshing summer rosé has soared.

Waitrose has predicted a 100 per cent rise in sales of rosé this summer after attracting a 40 per cent increase in the last week of May, which represented the fastest growing product for the chain.

But given that you can now pay more than £15 for fairly so-so Provencal rosé, I’ve been looking out for better bargain pinks from any region this summer. This is an easy-drinking style of wine – probably, like me, you just want a rosé that’s dry, fresh and fruity at a reasonable price.

After trawling through 35 samples (and wincing at the searing acidity in some), I now have my top 10 under £10 – not all bargain-basement prices, but each one punching well above its weight.

Lidl’s Pinot Noir 2019, Pays d’Oc (12.5%, £5.49) is the cheapest and simplest, light with a raspberry ripple flavour but finishing dry – a picnic pink. Tesco has its surprisingly elegant Finest Pinot Grigio Blush 2019, Italy (12.5%) on offer at £6 down from £7 until July 20, while Sainsbury’s well-balanced, cranberryish Taste the Difference Bordeaux Rosé 2018 (12.5%) is down to £6.50 from £8 until July 28.

Majestic fields an impressive team of rosés, including La Belle Angele Rosé 2019, Vin de France (12.5%, £8.99 or £7.49 as part of six mixed bottles), which tastes of fresh raspberries and pink grapefruit (and has a gorgeous summery label); even better value is the cherry and cassis compote, finishing dry, that is Floracao Rosé 2019, Lisboa, Portugal (12.5%, £7.99 or £6.99 in a mixed six).

M&S’s Notte Rossa Primitivo Rosato 2019, Salento, Italy (12.5%, £8) is a little richer and riper, with juicy red berries galore to take on charcuterie or grilled seafood. And Les Turitelles Origines 2019, Altugnac, Pays’ d’Oc, France (13%, Berry Bros & Rudd, £9.95) is a cherry-packed, moreish treat.

And below are my very favourites to see us through the summer.

Try these...

Tanners Rosé 2019, Cotes de Gascogne, France

(12%, Tanners, £8.60)

Tanners’ house pink, made from a blend of merlot, cabernet sauvignon, syrah and tannat, has long been a star and the new vintage is better than ever, with strawberry and cherry notes and a lingering juicy finish, quite dry.

Umanu Gris de Cinsault 2019, Ile de Beauté, Corsica, France

(12%, The Wine Society, £8.95)

The most interesting of the lot, a pale pink Corsican, made with local grape sciaccarellu and cinsault to produce different flavours of red plum, redcurrants and parma violets. Try if bored with the usual French rosés.

Waitrose Blueprint cotes de Provence Rosé 2019, France

(13%, Waitrose, £8.99)

This blend of grenache and cinsault ticks every box – it’s delightfully aromatic with a strawberry and cream flavour, refreshing finish and fine balance. I favour this over some of the flashier Provence labels at twice the price.