The Wine List: Will 2019 see the rise of rosé in Ireland?

Will 2019 be the year Ireland’s wine drinkers finally start to catch up with our rosé-loving UK and EU counterparts? Largely thanks to the warm summer of 2018 sales of rosé last year showed a significant increase according to retailers I’ve spoken with and most are optimistic for 2019.

One importer that has always championed rosé is O’Briens and their annual rosé promotion began a week or two ago. All rosé in O’Brien shops are part of a deal whereby the second bottle can be bought for half-price. Wine director, Lynne Coyle MW, tells me that she sees a clear trajectory upwards in recent years and expects 2019 to be even better. Lynne actually created her own Rosé called Rós this year which I recommend below along with some other highlights. Also watch for the L’Ostal Cazes, Henri Bourgignon and the Gérard Bertrand Côte des Roses.