I get easily bored
2025 Tenuta Sella, Coste della Sesia, Rosato Majoli, Piemonte
£70 per 6 bottle case in bond
2025 Cantina Terlano, Lagrein Rosé, Alto Adige
£105 per 6 bottle case in bond
I was just offered a Provençal rosé from a very well-known estate - a blend drawn from three separate terroirs, no less, at a cost to us as a merchant of just under £70 per bottle in bond. I have no doubt it is a well-made wine, and I am sure it would prove popular on a hot summer’s day. That said, I am equally certain I wouldn’t pay £70 for a bottle of rosé. For me, rosé is rarely about the search for complexity; it is about refreshment, immediacy and sheer drinkability.
Of course, there are exceptions. Wines such as López de Heredia’s Tondonia Rosado or the remarkable rosés of Domaine Tempier offer depth, structure and the capacity to age, and they more than justify their reputation. But in the main, my own drinking leans firmly toward fresh, vibrant, mouth-watering styles - ideally at a price that encourages a second bottle, consumed responsibly. I also look for a little individuality; it is all too easy to tire of yet another pale, impeccably correct yet ultimately anonymous Provençal example. I get easily bored.
With that in mind, here are two of my current picks: a superb Nebbiolo Rosato from Lessona (at £70 a case, not a bottle..) and the exceptional, perennial Atlas favourite, Lagrein Rosé from Terlano in Alto Adige. Both offer far more character than the usual fare yet remain every bit as refreshing and effortless as you would hope for on a sunny day.
2025 Tenuta Sella, Coste della Sesia, Rosato Majoli, Piemonte
£70 per 6 bottle case in bond
From the foothills of the Alps in northern Piedmont, around Lessona and the historic zone of Coste della Sesia, Tenuta Sella has been in family hands since 1671, quietly crafting some of Alto Piemonte’s most refined Nebbiolo expressions. This cooler, alpine-influenced corner of Piedmont brings a natural finesse and tension to the wines, and Majoli is a beautifully judged example of how Nebbiolo translates into rosé - elegant, understated, yet full of character.
In the glass, it is all about purity and finesse: delicate summer berry fruit, hints of wildflowers and a subtle savoury twist, carried by bright, lifted acidity. Gentle pressing and stainless-steel élevage preserve its clarity and precision, resulting in a rosé that is both refined and effortlessly appealing. This is a thoughtful, grown-up alternative to more familiar styles, which is perfect for clients looking to discover something a little off the beaten track without sacrificing charm.
2025 Cantina Terlano, Lagrein Rosé, Alto Adige
£105 per 6 bottle case in bond
Cantina Terlano is based in Alto Adige in Italy’s far north-east, where vineyards sit beneath the Dolomites and benefit from a striking interplay of alpine freshness and Mediterranean light. This long-established cooperative, drawing on 143 growers and around 190 hectares of vines, has built its reputation on precision and patience, with meticulous vineyard work and a clear focus on quality. Their Lagrein Rosé captures both the distinctiveness of the local grape and the clarity of this cool, mountainous terroir.
As you may have noted when we last offered it, this is a beautifully judged rosé: a highly fruity interplay of raspberry and strawberry, lifted by a hint of tart amarena cherry, leading to a palate that is juicy, soft and harmoniously balanced by fresh acidity. It has both immediacy and polish – this is an engaging, characterful wine that feels effortless yet precise. For clients seeking a rosé with real personality and a clear sense of place, this remains an easy and compelling recommendation.