While we’d happily drink it year-round (or #RoséAllDay), there’s no denying that summer is rosé season. Charming, refreshing, refined – an irresistible pink! “Drinkable” is an understatement and you’ll keep on coming back for seconds (or thirds). #YesWayRosé, can be found under $20! We’ve rounded up our favorite seasonal pinks that should be on everyone’s summer wine list. They’ll even keep your wallet happy.
Impatience Rosé ($19)
This lovely, top-selling rosé by Château de Berne is an extremely pale and shiny salmon pink rosé with a pretty iridescent shimmer. Fresh and lively nose, with fairly powerful fruity and floral aromas (freesia). Frank, generous and seductive in the mouth. A pleasure-filled, flowery summertime rosé, with a long, smooth finish. Can we also talk about the unique shaped bottle? GORGEOUS! Don’t throw this guy away. Reuse it to serve water in or put fresh flowers in it.
Hogwash 2015 Rosé ($16)
The rise in popularity of great California Rosé continues and the 2015 Vintage of Hogwash by Tuck Beckstoffer is yet another great example of rosé at its finest! I had the opportunity to visit the Tuck Beckstoffer Estate in Napa this past January and my husband and I had a lovely time tasting their world class wines. Not to mention, the owners are the sweetest people!
This wine is purely and simply summertime in a glass. The 2015 Hogwash Rosé displays a pale salmon-pink color and a beautiful and lively nose that showcases aromas of watermelon candy, red cherries, red currant and rose water. Medium bodied, it has incredible vibrancy that combines with its great finish to create a wine that is both a very serious rosé wine but has something for everyone. Tuck Beckstoffer, who has spent his life in Napa vineyards, created this Rosé of Grenache in a Provence style when he was asked to make a wine for a pig roast at an Atlanta wine auction. It was such a hit that he continued to make it. I love to pair this wine with seafood, BBQ, summer salads and basically everything! Even my golden retriever #BrooksByrum loves Hogwash!
Chateau d’Esclans Whispering Angel Rosé ($19)
This rosé is like the official drink of the Hamptons, and some even call it the “Hamptons water.” The magnum size is notorious at pool parties. Whispering Angel Rosé from d’Esclans is full of mouthwatering flavor with a lovely texture and aromas of light strawberry, cherry, and a hint of lemon. It hails from Côtes de Provence in the largest appellation of the Provence wine region in south-eastern France. It covers roughly 50,000 acres (20,250ha) of vineyards, which produce the vast majority of Provence’s rose wine. Whispering Angel gained major press in 2015 when news broke that “the French winery would run out of their best-selling rosé in the States by Labor Day. No more Whispering Angel for the Hamptons, what are we going to do…” Can you imagine the panic that set in? Just recently Château D’Esclans celebrated their 10th Anniversary at the Nantucket Wine & Food Festival. Happy Birthday, Whispering Angel!
Miraval Côtes de Provence Rosé ($19.97)
The Miraval Rosé is a product of a partnership between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie with the Perrin family of Château Beaucastel in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It’s pretty bottling achieves instant fame. Beautiful, pale, petal-pink color, elegant with bright nuances. A beautiful aromatic expression with aromas of fresh fruit and spring flowers, refreshing acidity, with great minerality and a saline finish. Let’s just hope this one sticks around even though #brangelina split!
Le Grand Noir Black Sheep Rosé ($10)
This rosé by Le Grand Noir is described as having a richness to the bouquet, with fruit-forward aromas of ripe red cherry and plum. The palate offers a pleasant seam of acidity, lifting the slightly creamy mouthfeel. It finishes fresh, with lingering hints of citrus rind and tart cherry. Visit their website to find out why they use the black sheep as their icon and to find out if sheep like wine! Also, if you have a Fresh Market grocery store near you, stalk their sales. I found this the other day on sale for ‘buy 4 for $28.’ You just can’t beat it!
H to H “Homage to Heritage” Cotes du Rhone Rosé ($9.99)
This pale pink rosé is blended to deliver the true characteristics of refreshing acidity and red fruit flavors. It is light in body and has delicate melon aromas and flavors. This wine pairs great with seafood and lighter fare.
Chandon Rosé ($18)
In the glass, this rosé is a pretty pink with intense ripe strawberry, juicy watermelon, and fresh red cherry fruit aromas and flavors. On the palate, this wine is creamy and seductive with a defined structure from the Pinot Noir added in its final stages. You can never go wrong with Chandon bubbles. If you ever have the opportunity to go to Napa, be sure to add Chandon to your list!
Still on the fence about Rosé? Check out our fun rosé infographic on everything you need to know to be a pro, so you can #RoséAndSlay.