Rosé has become one of summer’s go-to wines, it is especially popular poolside. With its light, crisp and refreshing flavors, it fits right in with the occasion. Listed below are a few of my favorite rosés + a couple newbies that I will be adding to the collection.
Daou Family Estates- Paso Robles. This is a staple wine around our house, especially popular come summer. 95% Grenache Noir and 5% Sauvignon Blanc offers a fragrant wine with notes of fresh peach, nectarine, apricot and floral aromas. Crisp, light and a bit of body on the palate with fresh melon, citrus and strawberry flavors rounding out the finish.
Rodney Strong- Sonoma. This is my “party in a bottle” rosé. Vibrant notes of strawberry, melon and citrus playfully mingle with one another. The bright acidity and effervescence will cheerfully flirt with your palate, leaving you wanting more. An easy sipper, perfect with goat cheese or spicy dishes.
Minuty- Côtes de Provence. The list would not be complete without a couple rosés from Provence. This is a new one for me. A blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah contribute to the intricacy of this rosé. Floral notes intertwine with watermelon, strawberry and a hint of citrus on the nose. A bit of body on the palate with noticeable minerality, orange peel and light acidity. This one is a keeper.
Three by Wade- Mendocino. So excited to finally be trying Dwyane Wade’s rosé! I have not tried too many ‘celebrity’ wines but as a huge basketball fan and having Wade join the Utah Jazz as an owner, I couldn’t resist. If you like a full-bodied rosé, put this one on your list. The color is a lively salmon pink and showcases aromas of strawberry, watermelon and lemon. The citrus notes play nicely with the red fruit characteristics. To be honest…I didn’t love it, I didn’t hate it. It was middle of the road for me due to it having a bit more body than I prefer for a rosé. I like my rosés to be as light and crisp as possible.
T. Berkley Wines- Calistoga. Winemaker, Taylor Berkley, does an amazing job crafting Loire inspired wines with California terroir. His thoughtful winemaking practices shine through in the finished product. This Cabernet Franc rosé is fermented in neutral French oak, adding to the complexity of the wine. Cherry and orange blossom notes lead on the nose with a nice roundness coming through on the palate. Zippy acidity with a light finish of delicate red fruit.
H&B- Côtes de Provence. This is the perfect everyday rosé. A blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Rolle originate from the cooler parts of the upper Provence vineyards, including grapes from the limestone foothills of Montagne Sainte Victoire which contributes a lively minerality + Cinsault that is planted not far from the Mediterranean Sea, adding delicate saltiness and anise attributes to the wine. A rosé easily adored on its own or can compliment a variety of dishes as well.
Rosé should be enjoyed all year long but is especially delightful on a hot summer day poolside. You can find many of these wines in stores, if you have a hard time finding one, check out their websites as well. Start drinking more pink this summer, enjoy!
~B