Melpo Valley of the Muses Rosé

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3 June 2026

This is a Rosé, 2024 vintage, from Mount Helicon near Athens in Greece, made from a blend of Syrah and the lemony freshness of Greece’s pink-skinned Roditis Alepou variety.

It is a deep dark orange, which immediately sets it apart. At 12.5% abv, it feels nicely balanced rather than heavy. There are red fruit aromas, followed by a full strawberry taste and slight lemon that makes it instantly likeable. The texture is excellent, full-bodied for a rosé, soft and round, with a generosity you do not find in lighter Provence-style bottles. It seemed slightly sweet at first, but testing proved it is not. It is simply very, very fruity.

It is still enjoyable even when warm, which is always a good sign. I like it because it is different, flavoursome and works across the range from very chilled to warm. While I did not get to try it with food, I can easily imagine it working beautifully with Greek dishes.

It is available for £14.99 from Laithwaites.

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