I’m not normally one to celebrate and capitalize on any National _______ Day. BUT, today is National Rosé Day and if ever there is a day to celebrate, today it is! I won’t open this piece by boring you with statistics about how much rosé is now being consumed in the US. Let’s just say that it is A LOT. It’s almost as if 2-3 years ago everyone woke up from their White Zinfandel/Blush PTSD haze and decided that pink wine was cool again. That, and the fact that a new generation of wine consumers in their early 20s are looking for light, easy, and affordable ways to drink and be sophisticated. Rosé provides just that. Today I tasted seven rosés (tough job) that I find to be tasty and affordable. Enjoy!
Jean-Luc Colombo 2018 Cape Bleue Rosé ($12.99)
Crafted in the classic Provençal style, Cape Bleue is a blend of 67% Syrah and 33% Mourvèdre. This wine is made in the Méditerranée IGP region of southern France that covers part of Provence and the Rhone Valley. Use of the Méditerranée IGP allows for less stringent winemaking rules and grape usage. This wine is like a rosé fruit basket of strawberries, watermelon, and grapefruit with a little bubble gum thrown in. Plus a hint of garrigue (dried herbs) that the area is known for. At $12.99, it’s also quite wallet-friendly. And no residual sugar, which makes me happy, as I prefer my rosés dry AF!
Portillo 2018 Rosé ($10.99)
Bertani 2018 Bertarose ($15.99)
This guy wins for the best price in the bunch at $10.99 a bottle. My family is from Argentina, so Malbec sits near and dear to my heart. Portillo, located in the heart of Argentina’s Uco Valley, in Mendoza, is home to some of the highest elevations on the planet. Made from 100% Malbec, this rosé is versatile and food-friendly. I get a tad bit darker fruit on this wine….mainly plums and cherries. Also, I think there is a SLIGHT residual sugar to this wine, that really suits it. Good acid, super refreshing, and a steal of a deal.
Bertani 2018 Bertarose ($15.99)
Created by an Amarone producer, Bertarose is a unique blend of 75% Molinara and 25% Merlot. Molinara is one of the classic grapes used in Valpolicella wines. The other 2 main Valpo grapes include Corvina and Rodinella. Bertani (the winemaker) discovered the delicate character of the Molinara grape was well-suited to rosé and the addition of Merlot rounds the wine out. A much more floral nose on this rosé. I get notes of whiteflowers (i.e. elderflower) plus bright, juicy strawberries and tangerine notes. This is a quaffable “pool friendly” wine to enjoy on a hot summer day.
Peter Yealands 2018 Sauvignon Blanc Rosé Marlborough ($14.99)
Mas de la dame La Gourmande Rosé ($19.99)
Sosie Wines 2017 Rosé of Syrah ($25)
This wine comes from Sonoma’s Bennett Valley, a fog shrouded valley that draws cool breezes from three directions, trapping cool air for most of the day. A nice deep pink color with a copper/orange hue, and notes of tart cherries, strawberries, and nectarines This wine is the most structured of the bunch.
Champagne Pommery Brut Rosé Royal ($50)
If you want to splurge on some pink bubbles, here you go. This Champagne is the classic Champagne blend of Chardonnay (34%), Pinot Meunier (33%), and Pinot Noir (33%). A beautiful pale pink color with persistent bubbles sets the tone. Fresh red fruit leads (strawberries, raspberries) as well as some stone fruit (peach/nectarine). A delightful, balanced rosé Champagne that would make even the most discerning wine lover happy. Not all rosé is built for the #roséalldaycrowd. This is a fine example.
The lightest color of the bunch, this New Zealand rosé is produced from the country’s signature Sauvignon Blanc grape with just an added splash of Merlot for color. This is an interesting one. I can’t say that I have ever had a rosé that was predominantly Sauvignon Blanc. For the Sauv Blanc drinker, this would be a home run if you wanted to try something new.
Mas de la dame La Gourmande Rosé ($19.99)
Mas de la Dame translates to “farm of the lady”, a nod to owners Anne Poniatowski and Caroline Missoffe, the dynamic female duo behind the winery. Certified organic by ECOCERT, Mas de la Dame’s La Gourmand Rosé is a blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre and 10% Cinsault. I get loads of citrus fruit on this wine, such as tangerine and ruby red grapefruit. Also, strawberries and raspberries and a faint floral note to really round it out. This is a pleasing and quite feminine wine, ironically made by female winemakers.
Sosie Wines 2017 Rosé of Syrah ($25)
This wine comes from Sonoma’s Bennett Valley, a fog shrouded valley that draws cool breezes from three directions, trapping cool air for most of the day. A nice deep pink color with a copper/orange hue, and notes of tart cherries, strawberries, and nectarines This wine is the most structured of the bunch.
Champagne Pommery Brut Rosé Royal ($50)
If you want to splurge on some pink bubbles, here you go. This Champagne is the classic Champagne blend of Chardonnay (34%), Pinot Meunier (33%), and Pinot Noir (33%). A beautiful pale pink color with persistent bubbles sets the tone. Fresh red fruit leads (strawberries, raspberries) as well as some stone fruit (peach/nectarine). A delightful, balanced rosé Champagne that would make even the most discerning wine lover happy. Not all rosé is built for the #roséalldaycrowd. This is a fine example.
Thank you to Taub Family Selections, Calhoun & Company, and IT-PR for these samples. Enjoy the rest of your National Rosé Day!
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