If one were to playfully associate each season with a type of wine, a French rosé would be the perfect product to represent autumn. The refreshing and lively aromas of these wines evoke memories of afternoons at the beach and dinners in the garden with friends, while their good structure and intense bouquet of red fruits almost seem to introduce the senses to a new, warmer and fuller organoleptic landscape.

To say goodbye to summer without giving up the pleasure of refreshing labels, here is a guide to the best French rosé wines to drink to welcome autumn in the right spirit!

Provence, Loire, Tavel: the best production areas for French rosé wines

France plays a central role in the international wine scene, boasting many excellent wines. Narrowing the field to French rosé wines alone, one could reduce the relevant areas to three: Provence, Loire and Tavel.

• Provence: located in the south-east of the country, this is the area best known for its rosés, which occupy almost half of all production. Its good fortune is mainly due to its terroir, with its Mediterranean climate - hot summers, mild winters, rather damp springs and bright autumns - and its limestone and crystalline soils. The most widely cultivated grape varieties in the region are the reds Braquet, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache Noir, and the whites Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc and Chardonnay, while the most widely used types to produce the rosé wines of Provence are Grenache, Mourvedre and Cinsault.
  
   
• Loire: traversed by its long, eponymous river, it is the largest wine-growing region in France and one of the most renowned for white wines. Climatically, it fluctuates from year to year, but generally speaking, it can be placed in an Atlantic-continental belt, with considerable temperature fluctuations between seasons. The soils are characterised by a good variety of materials, mainly marl and clay and limestone rocks. The production of rosé wines is second to that of white wines, and makes use mainly of varieties such as Gamay and Cabernet Franc. Other widely cultivated varieties are Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.
  
   
• Tavel: this sub-zone of the southern Rhône is specifically characterised by a Mediterranean climate, which offers the vines hot, dry summers and rather mild winters, while the soil composition sees a good presence of limestone and sand. The most cultivated grape varieties for rose wine-making are Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre.

Autumn flavours: which are the best rosés for the season?

Although autumn brings the first rains and forces one to pull out jumpers forgotten for months from the wardrobe, this mid-season still offers beautiful sunny days, gladdening the eye with a riot of bright colours. Even wine lovers can enjoy the comfortable vibes of autumn, enriching their evenings with the right wine!

"Rock Angel' Côtes de Provence Rosé AOC 2020

The review of the best French rosé wines to try in the autumn opens with an excellent representative of Provence, the 'Rock Angel' Côtes de Provence Rosé AOC 2020.

This wine is characterised by a perfect balance between the intensity of the aromas of flowers and red fruit and the liveliness of the mineral touch. When one then dwells on the spicy notes, it is at that point that it proves to be truly perfect for the season, paired with fish dishes, but especially with Asian dishes. Besides Chicken Tikka Masala, Butter Chicken and Biryani, this rosé also goes well with spicier local dishes such as Coronation Chicken, Mulligatawny Soup (perfect for colder days) or a plate of Deviled Kidneys.

Caves d'Esclans Côtes de Provence Rosé 'Whispering Angel' 2023

Also from Provence comes the second proposal, a Caves d'Esclans Côtes de Provence Rosé 'Whispering Angel' 2023, an excellent French rosé for the autumn that does not, however, renounce the lightness and citrus freshness of summer wines, enriching its bouquet with aromas of raspberry and currant, balsamic hints and particular notes of cream. On the palate, one can enjoy the excellent balance between acidity and creaminess.

A wine like this is great with a mixed grill (for those nostalgic for summer who want to have one more, before putting the barbecue on hold) or with more autumnal fish dishes, such as turbot au gratin, a cod and vegetable soup or a classic Fisherman's Pie, creamy and tasty.

"Soupçon de Fruit' Rosé de Loire 2023

If you are looking for an excellent match between food and French rosés, you cannot miss a glass of this wine from the Loire, as organoleptically inviting as it is versatile: the 'Soupcon de Fruit' Rosé de Loire 2023. Among the dishes with which it goes best are the more classic aperitifs or seafood menus with an autumnal tone, such as a Crab Imperial - a tasty crab flan - a mixed fish soup, seared scallops with potatoes or salmon fillets glazed with maple syrup.

For those who are tempted by international dishes, combinations with pizzas and pizza are not bad either, with which this product goes well thanks to its ripe fruit aromas and smooth taste, which gladdens the palate and provides thirst-quenching sensations.

"Soupçon de Fruit' Rosé d'Anjou 2022

The guide to rosé wines for autumn closes with a wine from Anjou, in the Loire, a 'Soupcon de Fruit' Rosé d'Anjou 2022. The link with this season can be seen from the visual examination, which shows a deep pink colour. On the nose, the similarities continue, thanks to an aromatic charge that - amidst hints of red fruits - conquers the senses with a scent of grenadine, pomegranate syrup.

With its refreshing and fruity taste, this wine is the perfect proposal for an aperitif with friends, to lightly celebrate the change of season and ward off the nostalgia of summer. It is excellent with savoury snacks such as cheese and herb scones, mini artichoke flans, crostini with pumpkin pate and bacon or chicken skewers.

France in pink: a brief history of French rosé wines

In a guide to the best rosé wines of France, it is difficult not to touch - even briefly - on the origins of this type, which date back to the ancient world. Among the Ancient Greeks, the custom of processing red and white grapes together to obtain a light, drinkable rosé wine was initially widespread, and this trend also spread to Marseilles in the 6th century B.C., after the Phocians imported certain grape varieties into France.

Provence soon became a land of great rosé wines, which enjoyed particular commercial fame thanks to the Romans, while in the Middle Ages the Claret wines of Bordeaux became renowned. The conquest of the latter by the British Empire also allowed the English to get to know and love these products, which reached the United States during the 20th century. However, it was precisely this phase that cast a negative reputation on rosé wines, as some vinifications led to the birth of wines that were too sweet, contributing to the ruin of the reputation of the entire typology.

Today, however, French rosés continue to hold an important supremacy that goes beyond false myths, conquering wine lovers with their lively and decisive character at the same time.

Got a hankering for French rosés? You will find an unmissable selection in the Svinando catalogue!