Rosé season has officially arrived, and we’re raising a glass to an elegant wine that deserves a place at the table well beyond summer. Now accounting for around 10 per cent of global wine consumption, rosé has well and truly graduated from seasonal favourite to year-round staple — and New Zealand wine lovers are firmly on board. From crisp, elegant Provence pours to vibrant Central Otago Pinot Noir, there’s a shade of pink for every palate and occasion. Wine writer Joelle Thomson rounds up five premium rosés worth discovering, complete with delicious food pairings to make entertaining a breeze. All that’s left to do? Chill, pour and enjoy.
When it comes to grapes, Pinot Noir is central to this country's rosé wines. It brings cool-climate acidity and vibrant berry flavours, producing wines that are increasingly dry, sophisticated, and perfectly suited to complement summer dishes. France leads the global pink wine trend, accounting for more than a third of the world's rosé production, and its popularity has now surpassed that of white wine sales. In New Zealand, rosé—whether called rosado, rosato, blush, or simply pink wine—has captured winemakers' attention, with production growing each season.
The finest rosés offer more than just light, dry, pink wine. Here are five delightful blush wines —to cheers this summer.
Rockburn Stolen Kiss Rosé, $29
Celebrating 20 years with its 2026 release, Rockburn’s Stolen Kiss Rosé has carved out a premium position as one of Central Otago’s great rosé success stories. By happy accident, in 2006 winemaker Malcolm Rees-Francis set aside a portion of Pinot Noir from the winery’s flagship red wine programme and made a rosé instead. The result was so successful that the rest is, well, history, thanks to Pinot Noir's power in Central Otago and rosé’s global popularity. This vintage of Stolen Kiss is bright, fruity and refreshing, with flavours of wild strawberry, candy floss, and toffee apple; it has a succulent finish and is hands down editor Trudi Brewer favourite rosé. If you are a fan, cellar some; it’s a limited edition every year.
Graze with: Goat’s cheese crostini with fresh tomatoes.
Dine wine: Chargrilled salmon with avocado, crunchy slaw and lemon aioli.
AIX Rosé, $37
AIX (pronounced ex) is one of Provence's best rosés, with a global following thanks to its consistently elegant, dry, flavourful style. If a light-coloured wine could surprise with its depth of flavour, this is it. This AIX 2025 vintage will soon have you swooning over its vibrant red-berry notes in an absolutely dry style, made from Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault. That trio of grapes are grown on elevated vineyards in the Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence appellation in southern France. On those slopes, cool nights preserve freshness, letting these bold grapes retain acidity while warm days deepen their flavour.
Expect powerful aromas of white peach, citrus blossom, and wild strawberries, leading to a finely textured palate with layered flavour and a memorable finish, showing why Provence remains the world's rosé capital.
Graze with: Prosciutto or goat cheese, seasonal fruit.
Dine with: Salade niçoise with green beans, olives and soft-boiled eggs.
The late great actor and winemaker Sam Neill and Central Otago hold a special place in many wine drinkers' hearts. The estate's latest rosé, from its Two Paddocks vineyard, is one of this country’s most distinctive rosés. It is made from grapes grown at altitude on the elevated Last Chance Vineyard, overlooking Alexandra. This is one of the country’s coolest and driest wine regions, where Pinot Noir grapes develop intense flavours while retaining pristine acidity, which shines through in this detailed, elegant rosé as it reveals layers of wild strawberry, red currant, cranberry, and crushed herb aromas. Flavoursome and balanced, the latest 2026 Two Paddocks Rosé reflects both the rugged Central Otago landscape and the thought and love that go into every sip.
Graze with: Hot-smoked salmon blinis with dill crème fraîche, or creamy soft cheese.
Dine with: Lemon-herb roast chicken with grilled asparagus and rocket.
Rosabel Rosé, France, $16
Southern France has long set the benchmark for stylish, affordable rosé, and Rosabel is a great example. As a classic Mediterranean blend of Grenache and Syrah, this 2025 Rosabel Rosé combines fresh, dry flavours with juicy raspberry and summer-berry aromas, held in a subtle structure with crisp balance and a light savoury note. Rosabel captures the dry taste and delicious charm of French rosés. It pairs beautifully with summer dining.
Graze with: Red berries, Parmesan cheese, and salmon.
Meal match: Barbecued chicken with fresh toasted peaches, almonds and cos lettuce salad.
Swiftsure Rosé, $22
Swiftsure is an impressive new brand from the talented team at Man O’ War Wines. Inspired by grapes grown in majestic landscapes around New Zealand, in this case, Bannockburn, Central Otago. This rosé is a fresh, pure, medium-bodied wine, brimming with aromas of summer berries, white cherry, and wild herb notes that capture the energy and finesse of Central Otago Pinot Noir, lightly pressed into this beautifully poised, dry rosé. If you like a darker rosé, don’t miss this.
Drink with: Goat cheese or Caprese salad.
Meal match: Wood-fired prawn and tomato pizza with fresh watercress on the side.
The taste of summer.