Grab your Rosé Glasses!
Because this isn’t your mother’s rosé!! Long gone are the days of the sweet pink wine our moms sipped on in the 80’s and 90’s! Today, most rosé is produced in a dryer style that pairs with…well, almost everything! I mean, it’s the perfect marriage between the freshness of white wine and the fruitiness of red wine. To propel it even further, it’s also great on its own!
To understand a little more about rose, let’s take a jaunt across the pond to Provence, France. This is the region that is officially known for its rosé….they have perfected the light bodied, dry style that we all love today!
However, there are actually 2 distinct styles of Provence rosé. By far, the most popular is:
~“Vins de Soif” or Thirst-quenching wines. These wines are made without any use of oak and are normally directly pressed to shorten the skin contact time, creating a fresh and light bodied flavor.
The other style is:
~“Vins de Gastronomie” or Gastronomic wines. These wines are fuller-bodied, deeper colored, and less overtly fruity in taste. They are meant to be savored with a meal, as the name suggests.
If you are looking for rosé that has a great QPR (quality price ratio), look no further than the Provence and Languedoc regions of southern France. These areas are known for producing quality wines, many of which are organic, for an approachable price.
After having my neighbors over for several rosé happy hours, I finally narrowed down the list of summer drinking rosés that I love and just know you will too!
Without further ado, here are my TOP picks for Summer Drinking Rosé 2021!
Chateau Miraval Cotes de Provence
Quintessential and elegant Provençal rosé that is always a solid choice! A blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Rolle, and Syrah, this powerhouse label partially uses the “saignee” method when vinifying the Syrah, giving it slightly more body and offers notes of strawberry, melon, white flowers and a hint of white pepper. Price $24
Clif Family Rosé of Grenache
Get your lawn chair out for this backyard beauty! This light, refreshing, thirst-quenching rosé sells out every year and I would be embarrassed to say just how much of it I drank in 2020! Everything Clif Family winemaker Laura Barrett touches is a delight to sip and this rosé stands out amongst the many rosés in Napa Valley. Price $28
Albert Bichot Crémant de Bourgogne Brut Rosé
Lively yet elegant, just how I like a rosé bubbly. This cremant has a small amount of Gamay added to the blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, revealing a lovely brightness; and with notes of stone fruit, strawberry, cantaloupe, and a slight hint of brioche and flint, it’s a crémant dreams are made of! Price $23
Flowers Sonoma Coast Rosé
This rosé of Pinot Noir was and still is one of my top choices for high quality luxury rosé. I always have at least one bottle on hand for those guests with discerning palates. Notes of red and stone fruits, florals, and citrus. Price $40
Just Pink California Rosé
Although it’s produced in California, French winemaker Julien Fayard uses his light touch to bring us an easy drinking and approachable California rosé! This blend of Grenache and Syrah is light and tart with notes of watermelon, nectarines, honeydew melon, and a hint white chocolate cherries. Price $20/Use code ‘JustPink15’ for 15% off
Schramsberg Sparkling Brut Rosé
If you are looking for an all-American sparkler, here is your pinnacle! The blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is easily refreshing on its own or paired with foods….sushi anyone? Notes of strawberry, pomegranate, and red cherry with hints of brioche and vanilla are simply delectable. Price $40
Rive Sud Rosé of Pinot Noir
Translated to “South Shore”, this Languedoc find might just be one of my best finds this year! The delicate nature of Pinot Noir offers notes of white blossoms, strawberry and red cherry in this rosé. And, at this price, it’s one to stock up on! Price $12
Gerard Bertrand Cote des Roses
Another great Languedoc gem. Such a gorgeous bottle, I didn’t want to throw it away long after it was empty! Fresh and balanced with nectarine, strawberry, guava, flint, and sweet rose with a slight feeling of effervescence. Price $16
Billecart Salmon Brut Rosé Champagne
Nobody will ever kick you out when you bring a bottle of Billecart Salmon! A classic champagne house, Billecart Salmon is the perfect reminder of why champagne is uniquely elevated in the world of sparkling wine. With graceful notes of strawberry, raspberry and citrus, this champagne also exudes beautiful minerality. $80
Domaine Vetriccie Corse Rosé
This wine from Corsica is lovely either as an aperitif or with food. Complex for its approachable price point with notes of roses, strawberry, plum, raspberry, bing cherry, and peaches with hints of creaminess and minerality. I get this at Whole Foods but you may also purchase it online. $14
Now, let’s kick back and sip on some pink juice!
Cheers 🥂
~ Mindy