Dame Joan Collins has declared rosé season open just in time for the bank holiday weekend — the M&S Food ambassador is backing this £16 Organic Provence Rosé, and here are her top tips for sipping in style
A wise woman once said: “Rosé is sunshine in a glass. As such, it may be enjoyed come rain, shine, or any weather.” That woman was none other than Dame Joan Collins, who has officially declared rosé season open – just in time for the bank holiday weekend.
To mark the long weekend, which is set to bask in glorious sunshine, the Hollywood legend has been sharing her top recommendations for savouring a glass of the pink stuff without forking out a fortune at the bar. This follows the 92 year old being unveiled as the newest M&S Food ambassador, with one £16 bottle proving particularly popular with the Dynasty star.
In one of the retailer’s most recent adverts, the iconic actress appears alongside an enormous tower of her beloved M&S Rosé La Balconne Organic Provence, declaring it was time to ‘begin sipping’.
The La Balconne Organic Provence Rosé retails at £16 for a 75cl bottle, offering hints of white peach, strawberry and wild herbs. The ‘elegant’, organic rosé, sourced from the vineyards of Provence, is described as soft yet complex, ideal as an aperitif or paired with seafood, salads or cheese.
On Ocado, enthusiastic shoppers have been singing its praises, with one commenting: “Beautiful, smooth, not sweet at all, and organic! Adding to my favourites.” While another enthused: “Move over Whispering Angel, my new favourite.”
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Discover the La Balconne Organic Provence Rosé at M&S
Meanwhile, shoppers can snap up a bottle of Château Miraval Rosé, 75cl, for £17.56, reduced from £21.95 at Fortnum and Mason. Château Miraval ranks among the most ancient wine estates in Southern France, with origins tracing back to Roman times, providing a fascinating talking point should you wish to impress friends and family, reports the Express.
At Ocado, the charmingly nicknamed ‘chicken wine’, La Vieille Ferme Rose, has been cut to £7.90 from £8.90. Fresh and fruity, it features notes of strawberries, peaches and lychees.
Over at M&S, the retailer is showcasing its largest ever selection of rosé, predicting what they’re calling a ‘pink Summer’, and reportedly shifting a bottle of rosé every two seconds during busy periods. And to sweeten the deal further, M&S is providing a 10% discount when customers buy any four bottles in store.
The top-selling rosé in the M&S Foodhall is the Classics Cotes de Provence Rosé, priced at a budget-friendly £10. Crisp, delicate and dry, it’s packed with flavours of strawberries and redcurrants, and pairs beautifully with salmon, seafood, or salad.
One shopper said of the tipple: “Just what you want in summer. Good fruit and light easy going back lights. Lovely.
“Wanted a chilled drink with which to relax on a hot day,” said another. “Not too acidic or too sweet, went down very smoothly in the sunshine.”
Though one customer felt it was overly sweet for their liking, commenting: “Its smooth, gentle and has some subtle flavours but its also very sweet.. if it was crisper and dryer would be awesome but sadly not.”
However, there are also some fresh rosés set to delight customers this year, such as the £8 Lisboa Bonita Rosé – a vibrant, fruit-led Portuguese wine featuring zesty red berry notes with a touch of watermelon.
The Italian Rosato Pouch costs £12 for 1.5L, making it perfect for convenient serving – particularly handy when hosting guests. This Sicilian rosé boasts a light, fruity bouquet alongside raspberry and cherry aromas.
After selecting your bottle and deciding what to serve alongside it, Dame Joan has shared her expert advice for savouring the ideal glass of rosé. She said: “Rose always tastes better with a lovely view.
“Whether it’s picturesque surrounding, a sunlit terrace, or simply being with the right company. You don’t need a Riviera postcode to drink like the French, just impeccable taste, preferably chilled.”
