What is the good price for a rosé wine?

Understanding price ranges to choose the right rosé wine

Rosé is an everyday wine. Summer, of course, but not only. A terrace, an aperitif with friends, a barbecue. You find rosé everywhere. And then comes the surprise, some bottles cost €5, others €25, and some go well beyond €40 for a standard 75cl bottle. So how much should you actually spend to avoid making the wrong choice?

There is no magic formula, but a few clear reference points can help you choose a rosé wine with real flavour, without overspending.

Why rosé wine prices vary so much

It is not just about the brand. Several factors directly impact the price:

Terroir

Provence, Bandol or Tavel often come with higher production costs. Languedoc, on the other hand, manages to produce high quality rosé wines at more accessible prices.

Appellation and grape varieties

Some grape varieties require more care, and certain appellations impose stricter yield limits.

Winemaking

Direct pressing, maceration rosé, saignée rosé, ageing, work on freshness, balance between sweetness and acidity, all of this has a cost.

Format and packaging 

Are you team magnum or 75cl ?

Magnum or classic 75cl bottle, traditional bottle shapes such as Burgundy or Bordeaux styles, or more premium design bottles, clear glass that cannot come from recycled material, all of this affects the price per litre.

Labels and certifications

PGI (Protected Geographical Indication), PDO (Protected Designation of Origin), Organic certification, BIODYVIN, DEMETER, HVE (High Environmental Value), Terra Vitis. Each label comes with its own set of rules and constraints, more or less demanding depending on the specifications.

In short, an affordable rosé can be very good, and an expensive rosé is not necessarily the best. What really matters is coherence.

Rosé wine price ranges

Under €10, simple and refreshing

In this range, rosés are mainly made for aperitifs or barbecues. PGI Pays d’Oc, Côtes du Rhône, Bordeaux rosé.

A few examples:

Famille Perrin – Réserve Rosé

Cellier des Dauphins

RoséRosé d’Anjou

No big surprises here, light, easy to drink, not very complex. Perfect for hot days.

€10–20, the best balance

This is where many wine lovers find the ideal balance between pleasure and price. Wines are more precise, aromatic and consistent. Provence, Bandol, Tavel, Languedoc, with well known references such as:

Minuty M, Whispering Angel (Provence)

Puech Haut Argali, Mas de Gourgonnier (Languedoc)

Domaine de la Mordorée (Tavel)

This is also where On The Cusp fits in. A carefully selected rosé wine, consistent and crafted to stay true to its style. It can even evolve over time through its Tailor made program, which invites On The Cusp rosé drinkers to share their feedback and preferences for the next vintage, while maintaining quality and coherence with the spirit of On The Cusp the Wine4Friends. As a reminder, the 75cl bottle is available at €10.

20€20–40, more structured rosés

Here we move into the world of gastronomic wines. Often coming from selected plots or low yields, these rosé wines show more depth, precision and length.

Examples:

Château Sainte Roseline – Lampe de Méduse

Domaine Ott – Château de SelleHigh end Bandol rosés

Clos Cibonne – Cuvée Prestige Caroline

Perfect to pair with food, or for those who enjoy a more complex rosé wine.

Over €40, prestige cuvées

Rosé champagnes, flagship cuvées, magnums. These wines are made for special moments. Interesting and memorable, but not essential for everyday rosé drinking.

Examples:

Clos du Temple – Gérard Bertrand

Château Sainte Marguerite – Collection Marguerites Rosé 2024

Format also matters

Magnum formats often offer better value for money per litre and a more even evolution over time. But the key point remains consistency, knowing that you will find the same style and quality year after year.

The On The Cusp rosé wine magnum, IGP Saint Guilhem le Désert (Languedoc), is available at €21.

How to assess value for money, practical tips

Rather than focusing only on price or appellation, look at what is actually in the glass:

Colour and clarity

Pale, light salmon, clear, without sediment, except for organic or unfiltered wines. Overly artificial colours can be misleading.

About color, are you team pale pink or blush ?

Nose

Fresh and fruity, sometimes floral. Avoid chemical notes or excessive alcohol.

First sip

Balance is key, fruit, acidity, structure. Too simple or too sweet ? Better move on.

Price by format

Magnums of rosé wine can be a smart choice. Many Languedoc rosé wines can match well known Provence rosés at a lower price. A good example is Clos du Temple by Gérard Bertrand, awarded several times as the world’s best rosé wine, and yes, it comes from Languedoc.

Vintage

Even for rosé, some vintages are more expressive. Young wines are usually best enjoyed fresh.

Le producteur

Consistency over time is a strong indicator of quality.

Cross check reviews

Blogs, forums and recommendations are useful, as long as you keep some perspective.

Trust your palate

In the end, the main question is simple, do you enjoy this wine? Even a discreet rosé can be a real surprise.

In short

There is no universal price for a good rosé wine. You can enjoy excellent bottles under €10, and find more refined experiences above €20.

For many drinkers, the best compromise remains a well thought out, consistent rosé, fairly priced and enjoyable from one vintage to the next. Single cuvée projects such as On The Cusp perfectly illustrate this approach, a rosé wine carefully vinified, selected and followed over time, to guarantee style, quality and coherence, without getting lost in endless ranges.

To discover the spirit, the taste and the pleasure of sharing wine with friends, On The Cusp is exactly where it happens.

Get the vibes, we bring the wine.