When it comes to rosé, Provence is the first name that comes to mind for many drinkers. Yet today, an increasing number of regions are capable of producing top-tier rosé. At the 2025 International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC), a rosé from New Zealand tied with a Provence rosé for the highest score in the category, earning one of the competition’s most prestigious distinctions.
New Zealand’s Confident Contender
Dancing Water Winery’s Blanc de Noir 2024 from Central Otago was awarded 95 points and a gold medal at this year’s IWSC. Judges praised it for its “lush aromas of cranberry, pear and white peach, accompanied by lime and floral notes; a smooth palate with vibrant lemon acidity and a gentle mineral finish.”
This Blanc de Noir highlights the increasingly sophisticated style of New World rosé. Pinot Noir from cool climates brings lively acidity, pure fruit and elegant structure—an appealing alternative for consumers looking beyond Europe. Although the 2024 vintage displays the youthful, drink-now character typical of rosé, its balance and minerality hint at higher ambitions: this is not merely a casual poolside wine.
Provence: Dominance Through Numbers
Sharing the top score of 95 was a Provence rosé and a rosé Champagne. From Côtes de Provence, Château d’Esclans’ Garrus 2023 impressed judges with “distinctive peach, sweet spice, vanilla and white chocolate notes; balanced weight and texture lifted by citrus peel and minerality.”
Garrus is often cited as a defining example of Provence’s move into high-end rosé. Made from 70-year-old Grenache and Rolle, and aged 11 months in oak, it gains complexity without sacrificing the finesse associated with Provence. Extended skin contact, lees aging and a stronger emphasis on terroir expression are helping the region produce rosés with more structure and ageing potential, challenging the stereotype that rosé is only meant to be drunk young.
Despite rising competition from the New World, Provence still dominates in sheer numbers. Of the top 10 highest-scoring rosés this year, six were from Provence, including one gold and five silvers.
Rosé Champagne: Still a Force
Two rosé Champagnes also made the top 10, with Champagne Castelnau Rosé Brut NV earning 95 points and a gold medal.
Castelnau’s rosé Champagne represents the pinnacle of pink sparkling wine. Traditional-method winemaking, combined with the varietal character of red grapes and fine mousse, creates a layered and distinctive wine. Blending Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir, and aged for at least two years, it offers complex aromas of cream, pastry and red fruits—qualities that allow it to stand alongside high-quality Blanc de Blancs and Blanc de Noirs.
The Rise of the “Posh Pink”
Rosé is moving upmarket, a trend often referred to as the rise of “posh pink.” Once seen as a simple summer drink, rosé is now maturing into a serious wine category. More producers are emphasising terroir, vineyard sourcing and winemaking technique rather than simply chasing a pale-pink aesthetic.
On the consumer side, taste preferences are changing. Dry, crisp, food-friendly rosé styles are gaining favour, replacing the sweeter pink wines that once dominated the market. With a focus on terroir expression, ageability and premium positioning, rosé is evolving into a category deserving of sustained attention.
Innovation is also accelerating. Some winemakers are experimenting with hybrid rosé–orange wine techniques, creating a new style dubbed “rosorange.” Meanwhile, Bandol and Tavel have long produced structured, full-bodied rosés capable of ageing, challenging conventional perceptions of what rosé can be.
Rosé Top 10
Dancing Water Winery – Blanc de Noir 2024 (Central Otago) – 95 points
Lush aromas of cranberry, pear and white peach intertwine with hints of lime and blossom. The smooth palate shows vibrant lemon acidity and warm yellow apple, finishing clean and refreshing with gentle minerality.
Château d’Esclans – Garrus 2023 (Provence) – 95 points
A distinctive bouquet of peach and sweet spice with vanilla and white chocolate. Balanced weight and texture lifted by citrus pith and apple skin, finishing mineral and spicy.
Champagne Castelnau – Rosé Brut NV (Champagne) – 95 points
Fresh red berries and cream on the nose. Raspberry and mandarin dance with a pleasing tartness, revealing layers of cream and pastry. Long, concentrated and complex.
Chateau Galoupet – Cru Classé 2023 (Provence) – 94 points
Red fruits, herbal notes and minerality on the nose. Vibrant depth of plump fruit on the palate with a long, harmonious finish.
Chateau Les Mesclances – Cuvée Saint Honorat 2024 (Provence) – 94 points
Mineral, strawberry and peach aromas. White peach and honeydew with a touch of salinity and a refreshing finish — a quintessential expression of Provence.
Château de Berne – Inspiration 2024 (Provence) – 94 points
Strawberry, cherry and raspberry aromas. Rounded, silky texture balanced by subtle minerality and a gently saline, harmonious finish.
Champagne Henriot – Rosé Brut NV (Champagne) – 94 points
Toasted hazelnuts and sweet spice with pastry, citrus and cherry. Vibrant acidity and creamy chocolate-cranberry textures with a delicate mousse and long finish.
Vignobles Sylvain Massa – Massa Lia 2024 (Provence) – 93 points
Delicate red fruits and herbal notes. Red and stone fruit flavours with peachy sweetness and rounded texture, finishing long and clean.
Terre di Sava – Notte Rossa Rosato Primitivo 2024 (Puglia) – 93 points
Lemon, peach and cherry on the nose. Bright fruit, soft redcurrant and ripe grapefruit with refreshing acidity and a lingering finish of rose petals and waxy red apples.Château Maïme – Promise 2024 (Provence) – 93 points
Peach, linden flower, pink peppercorn and rose on the nose. Juicy, elegant fruit and smooth texture with a refined, lingering finish.
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