Dame Joan Collins has officially declared rosé season open, just in time for the bank holiday weekend. The M&S Food ambassador is backing the £16 Organic Provence Rosé, La Balconne, describing it as 'beautiful and smooth'. The Hollywood legend, now 92, has been sharing her top recommendations for enjoying a glass of rosé without spending a fortune at the bar.
M&S La Balconne Organic Provence Rosé
This £16 bottle, which features prominently in M&S's latest advertising campaign, offers hints of white peach, strawberry and wild herbs. Sourced from the vineyards of Provence, it is described as soft yet complex, ideal as an aperitif or paired with seafood, salads or cheese. On Ocado, shoppers have praised the wine, with one commenting: 'Beautiful, smooth, not sweet at all, and organic! Adding to my favourites.' Another enthused: 'Move over Whispering Angel, my new favourite.'
Other Rosé Recommendations
For those seeking alternatives, Château Miraval Rosé (75cl) is available for £17.56, reduced from £21.95 at Fortnum and Mason. The 'chicken wine', La Vieille Ferme Rose, is priced at £7.90 (down from £8.90) at Ocado, offering fresh and fruity notes of strawberries, peaches and lychees. M&S is also showcasing its largest ever selection of rosé, predicting a 'pink Summer' and reportedly selling a bottle every two seconds during busy periods. A 10% discount applies when buying any four bottles in store.
Top-Selling M&S Rosé
The top-selling rosé at M&S Foodhall is the Classics Cotes de Provence Rosé at £10. Crisp, delicate and dry, it features flavours of strawberries and redcurrants, pairing well with salmon, seafood or salad. One shopper said: 'Just what you want in summer. Good fruit and light easy going back lights. Lovely.' Another added: 'Wanted a chilled drink with which to relax on a hot day. Not too acidic or too sweet, went down very smoothly in the sunshine.' However, one customer found it overly sweet, 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.'
New additions include the £8 Lisboa Bonita Rosé, a vibrant Portuguese wine with zesty red berry notes and a touch of watermelon, and the Italian Rosato Pouch at £12 for 1.5L, perfect for convenient serving with raspberry and cherry aromas.
Dame Joan's Tips for Sipping Rosé
Dame Joan Collins advises: 'Rosé always tastes better with a lovely view. Whether it's picturesque surroundings, 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.'
