Think Pink // The Best Rosé Wines

By Food + Drink Contributor Sara Little

Rosé is often credited as the oldest and most common of all wines.  The Ancient Greeks likely produced wines more similar to rosé as a result of grapes having a shorter maceration time and being pressed by hand or foot.  Today, rosé is finding its own unique place amongst our favorite white wines, while quickly gaining popularity in the U.S.  If you are anything like me, it may take you awhile to shake off the distant memories of binge drinking White Zinfandel in college, but once you get past the misconception that 'blush' wines are sweet and heavy, you are sure to fall in love.  My favorite rosés are crisp and dry with mineral tones and offer a variety of floral, fruit, and herbal notes. They are delicious, pair well with most grilled summer fare, and are typically a great bargain.  Here are a few of my new favorites.  Enjoy!

1. 2013 Cappineto Dogajolo Toscano Rosé ($11.99)
100% Sangiovese
12.5% Alcohol
Pale pink with green apple and floral nose – medium bodied and crisp.

2. 2013 Commanderie de Peyrassol Cotes de Provence Rosé ($11.99)
Blend of Cinsault, Grenache & Syrah
12.5% Alcohol
Pale Watermelon in color, dry, lively, filled with stone & mineral tones.

3. 2013 County Line Rosé – Anderson Valley ($20.00
)
100% Pinot Noir
12% Alcohol
True blush in color; mineral, spice and citrus on the nose; medium body full of lime, chalky stone, and spring florals.

4. 2013 Unti Dry Creek Valley Rosé ($20.99)
80% Grenache – 20% Mouvedre
13.8% Alcohol
Classic pink in color, floral and fruity nose, full bodied, dry.


A few tips/things to know about rosé:

1. Pink is chic.  Forget about rosé being a 'girly' wine; many sophisticated women and men alike enjoy the dry, crisp finishes of delicious pink wines.
2. Unlike other wines, you do not want to age rosé.  Buy the newest vintage and drink it now!
3. Disregard what you may have come to expect from blush wines and simply go for it.  You will be stoked to find herbal tones, chalky minerals, and crisp stony notes throughout many modern day rosés. When buying, just ask for a dry rosé.
4. You typically won't pay more than $20.00 for a phenomenal bottle of rosé. This makes it the perfect wine for summer entertaining.  Because it is still undervalued in the U.S., it is cheap to make, and it doesn't age as long as many other wines, the prices stay reasonable without forgoing superior taste.
5. Rosés pair perfectly with BBQ!  They are a little more developed than super light whites, but have less body than an intense red.  Serve it extremely chilled with everything from veggie kabobs, to smoked salmon, to a grilled pork loin, to perfectly seared ribeyes.


Are you a rosé fan?  Do you have any favorite rosés I might have missed? - Sara

Thank you to Sara for sharing her favorite rosés (and insights on rosé wine) with us!  Sara is an event planner and "expert in indulgence" who has lived in the heart of Sonoma County California's wine country for 12 years.  In addition to planning unique, personalized getaways to and events in wine country for her hospitality business, Wine Country Goodness, she travels the country in search of the best places to stay, explore, eat, and drink.  And now she'll be sharing her favorite foods and wines, recipes and more as our new Food and Drink Contributor.  You can also find Sara on her blog, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.