It’s time to swap your favourite reds for rosés

For years, the French have been more likely to reach for a glass of red over white. As for rosé, it was barely seen as wine, with enthusiasts calling it a ‘pool drink’.

However, a new generation of drinks are changing the complexion of the French wine landscape.

Now, more and more are choosing a glass of rosé over red, thanks to its lighter, fresher attributes and lower alcohol content.

And it’s not just for summer; Demand for rosé has increased throughout the year, while red sales continue to decline.

Although red and rosé are seen as separate poles, both come from the red grape. Their differences lie in the way wine is made.

With rosé, the skins and grape juice are left together for a relatively short time—often just a few hours rather than days—to allow the juice to take on color.

Want to go from red to pink? Our wine expert Helen McGinn picks a bunch of rosés even the most die-hard red wine lovers will find hard to resist…

FOR LOVED MALBEC

Artesano de Argento Organic Malbec Rosé, £9, Sainsbury’s

From Bodega Argento’s organic vineyards in Alto Agrelo, Mendoza, Argentina, this blend of 85 percent Malbec and 15 percent Syrah is all sourced from Fairtrade-accredited vineyards.

The high altitude and bright sunlight add flavor, making this a multi-hitting rosé. 4/5

COTES CLASS

Arbousset Tavel Rosé, £12.50, Tesco

Tavel is an appellation in the Southern Rhone that produces only rosés and they are full in both color and aroma.

Made from a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault by star winemaker Julie Rouffignac, this jam bursts with wild berry fruit flavors. Amazing weight. 5/5

PRIDE OF PROVENCE

Cave Des Roches Coteaux d’Aix en Provence, £8.25, Tesco

With Provence rosé prices on the rise, finding one is a challenge.

This is made by a major manufacturer, hence the price. Additionally, Coteaux d’Aix tends to produce a heavier style of rosé. 3/5

LIQUID PORT

Mimo Moutinho Portuguese Dao Rosé, £6.49, Aldi

This Portuguese rose is from Dao, a region just below the Douro Valley where Port is made. The combination of granite soils and altitude helps the region produce wines full of character.

Made from a blend of mostly Touriga Nacional, this is super juicy with lots of berry fruit. 4/5

AFFORDABLE SYRAH

Porcupine Ridge Rosé, £6.99, Waitrose

Many red wine lovers struggle to resist South Africa’s red, Chocolate Block, but it’s worth knowing that the same winemaking team is behind this affordable rosé from the Western Cape.

Made from a blend of Syrah and Cinsault grapes, it’s full of juicy red fruit with a bit of spice to boot. 3/5

PERKY PINOT

Sainsbury’s Rosé Cava, £6.25

An excellent fruity sparkling wine, made from a blend of red Trepat and Pinot Noir grapes, it is suitably rosé with wonderful berry fruit.

Made in the same way as Champagne, but from a much warmer region in Spain, it is aged on its lees (the name for the yeast after fermentation) for at least nine months, adding more depth of flavor. 5/5

IN PINK

Vinho Verde Rosé, £7.50, M&S

There is nothing embarrassing and withdrawn about this. Another Portuguese rosé, but from Vinho Verde in the north of the country, is made by family winery Quinta das Arcas from local Espadeiro and Touriga Nacional grapes.

The result is very pink, with a fruity taste of red grapes. And at just 11 percent alcohol, it’s much lighter than most reds. 4/5

• Helen’s book, The Knackered Mother’s Guide to Wine, is out now.