Top-Rated Italian Rosé Wines for Every Palate

Mon, Jun 30, 25

Think all rosé is light and kind of the same?

Italian rosé wines called rosato might surprise you.

Unlike the softer styles you may be used to, Italian rosé has more depth. It’s dry, food-friendly, and super versatile. You’ll taste cherry, strawberry, orange peel, herbs—even a hint of saltiness. It’s fresh, but also layered—something you actually remember after a sip.

Made from grapes like Montepulciano, Sangiovese, and Negroamaro, rosato reflects the diversity of Italy. Up north, bottles tend to be crisp and citrusy. Down south, they’re fuller, fruitier, and a bit bolder. Some are perfect with snacks and sunshine, others can hold their own at the dinner table.

If you’ve only tried one kind of rosé, this is a great way to explore something different. Rosato has personality—and once you find the right one, it tends to stick with you.

The Native Grape Varieties That make the perfect Italian rosé wines

One of the coolest things about Italian rosé wines is that they’re made from grapes that actually tell a story. Italy doesn’t just imitate what works elsewhere—it celebrates its own. That’s why every bottle of rosato has a distinct voice.

Meet some of the local stars:

Montepulciano– bold, juicy, with cherry and savory herbs
Sangiovese– bright and tart, offering red fruit, spice, and floral lift
Negroamaro– darker, richer, with earthy depth and subtle spice
Aglianico– structured and deep, yet unexpectedly elegant in pink

That’s the beauty of Italian rosé: it isn’t just pretty—it’s unforgettable. With all that grape diversity, the top Italian rosé wines can be floral and zippy one moment, then full and robust the next. There’s something for every palate and every mood.

Regions with Real Personality

Just like the grapes, each region in Italy brings its own flair to rosato. And that’s what makes exploring Italian rosé so rewarding—you can try the same grape from different regions and discover totally different personalities.

Up north, the vibe is all about freshness. Chiaretto di Bardolino, from the Lake Garda region, is light, clean, and kissed with citrus. It’s the kind of wine you want on a sunny patio with grilled fish or a big hunk of burrata. It tastes like alpine air in a bottle.

Down south, it’s a whole different story. In Puglia, you’ll find Salento Rosato made from Negroamaro—rounder, juicier, and packed with ripe red fruit. It’s the kind of rosé that shows up to the party with sunglasses on and a playlist ready. Serve it with pizza, grilled meats, or anything that brings the heat.

And then there’s the wild card: Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo, right in the heart of the country. It breaks every rosé rule—in the best way. Deep color, bold flavor, and enough backbone to enjoy year-round. It blurs the line between red and rosé, and somehow makes it work beautifully.

That’s the magic of Italian rosé wines—you don’t just drink them, you discover them. Every region brings something different to the table, and once you start tasting across the map, it’s easy to get hooked.

The Top Italian Rosé Wines to Try Now

Now that you’ve got the lay of the land—from native grapes to regional styles—it’s time to talk bottles. We’re putting together a guide to the top Italian rosé wines to try this year.

Whether you love your rosé crisp and clean or bold and layered, we’ll show you the wines worth buying, the flavors to expect, and maybe even a few hidden gems you didn’t know existed. Because if you’re going to drink pink, it might as well be unforgettable.

LA Marca Prosecco Rose

La Marca Prosecco Rosé, a standout among Italian rosé wines, opens with bright citrus, honeysuckle, and juicy peach. Crisp pear notes follow, layered with red cherry, raspberry, and wild strawberry. The touch of Pinot Noir adds elegance and subtle depth. Overall, it’s refreshing, zesty, and beautifully balanced.

Scaia Rosato

This well-balanced and fresh Italian rosé wine is made from Rondinella grapes, known for their delicate character. It shows off a beautiful cherry-pink color that catches the eye. On the nose, it offers floral notes of rose alongside bright, fruity aromas. Crisp and elegant on the palate, it’s a refreshing expression of Italian rosé wines.

Pavolino Prosecco Rose 20 Kosher

Pale straw-yellow in color, this Italian sparkling wine has a crisp, creamy perlage from its second fermentation using the Charmat method. The nose is delicate and well-balanced, with fruity and floral notes of apple, pear, citrus, and hawthorn. On the palate, it’s bright and velvety, revealing layers of white-fleshed fruit. The finish is fresh, smooth, and pleasantly persistent—an elegant choice among Italian rosé wines.

Feudo Montoni Nerello Mascalese Rose Di Adele

Feudo Montoni, one of Sicily’s oldest estates, produces a standout Italian rosé wine with deep roots. Their Rosé di Adele is crafted from Nerello Mascalese grapes grown in a special Cru named after a rose garden planted for Adele, the winemaker’s mother. This elegant rosato opens with aromas of fresh roses, black pepper, pomegranate, and wild strawberries. It's a wine that beautifully blends family heritage with refined Sicilian character.

Ready to Rethink Rosé?

Rosé isn’t just a summer trend or a pretty bottle on a patio—it’s a full expression of place, grape, and winemaking style. And when it comes to rosé with depth and personality, Italy and France lead the way—but in completely different tones.

Italian rosé wines, or rosato, are bold, structured, and full of character—thanks to native grapes like Montepulciano, Sangiovese, and Negroamaro. They offer freshness with soul, and every region—from Lake Garda to Sicily—brings a different voice to the glass.

French rosé, especially from Provence, brings its own kind of elegance—pale, crisp, and refined, with soft red fruit and herbal notes. It’s light, easygoing, and effortlessly chic.

Both styles are worth exploring. One might suit your lunch in the sun, the other your dinner under string lights. And the beauty? You don’t have to choose—just follow your mood, your meal, or your curiosity.

Because once you stop thinking of rosé as just “pink wine,” and start tasting what’s possible—you realize it’s not just a drink. It’s a discovery. Shop at Arlington wine and Liquor.

By Arlington Wine and Liquor