Rosé All Day: What to Drink in 2016

If you know of anyone who turns their nose up at rosé, chances are they’re moderately hip(ster) and think “rosé is so passé.” You and I both know that they are full of lies. The reality is, rosé is still the fastest growing wine category in the United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, Hong Kong and everywhere else that’s awesome.

Here’s what to seek out in rosé wine in 2016, from the budget-minded to the very best.

There are essentially 3 tenets of rosé:

1. Thou shall enjoy sunshine, laughter and short shorts.
2. Thou shall covet rosé during brunch, lunch, or dinner… and still look classy.
3. All are welcome to drink pink.

Rosé All Day: What to Drink in 2016

2015 Provence Rosé

• Blend: Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvèdre, Rolle (Vermentino), Others
• Taste: Dry with White Cherry, White Raspberry, Celery, Orange Peel and Peach
• Pairs with: Tapenade, Niçoise Salad, Ossau-Iraty cheese (or any sheep’s milk cheese), Spinach Gruyere Quiche

The south of France is the world’s most dedicated area to rosé wine. Wines are made dry and have a pale pink, almost onion-skin color. Some of the best wines balance the red grapes with a smidgen of Rolle (aka Vermentino), a white wine with spicy acidity. Provence has several high-quality micro-regions for rosé including Saint-Victoire, Bandol, Pierrefeu, Fréjus and La Londe. These will be a bit more expensive, but are well worth exploring for the best-of-the-best in French Rosé.

 

2015 Corsica Rosé

• Blend: Grenache, Niellucciu (Sangiovese), Sciaccarellu, Barbarossa
• Taste: Ripe Strawberry, Raspberry, Anise, Tarragon, Salinity
• Pairs with: Moroccan Cuisine, Indian Cuisine, Scrambled Egg Tacos
• Cost: $15–$20

Corsican Rosé is a little bit of a challenge to locate but, if you’re lucky enough to find it, they are well worth a try. The island has many indigenous grapes and rosé wines lean toward a richer style with fresh red fruit and a sophisticated herbaceous, salty character.

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2015 Sancerre Rosé

• Blend: 100% Pinot Noir from the Loire Valley of France
• Taste: Fresh Strawberry, Watermelon, Basil and Celery
• Pairs with: Goat Cheese, Roast Sweet Potatoes with Goat Cheese, Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Chickpeas and Cilantro , Caramelized Onion and Butternut Tart
• Cost: ~$17

The region of Sancerre is more famous for Sauvignon Blanc, but one-third of the region’s vineyards are planted with Pinot Noir which makes lightweight, refreshing rosé wines. Wines will have soft, creamy, strawberry aromas along with a leafy herbal note and chalky minerality. This is definitely a wine for people who like savory flavors versus sweet ones.

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2015 Bordeaux Rosé

• Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Others
• Taste: Cherry, Fresh Strawberry, Green Peppercorn
• Pairs with: Greek and Lebanese Cuisine, Savory Vegetable Tart, Lebanese Potato Salad with Lemon and Mint , Egg Salad Sandwiches
• Cost: Budget-Friendly

While Bordeaux is known for red wines, the region has increased its rosé wine production to the point where it’s finally reaching stateside. Where Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant Bordeaux makes wines with a bit more pepper spice, Merlot offers lush creamy strawberry and orange zest flavors on a dry frame. Many of these red wines are made with the Saignée method and have substantially more body along with creaminess from subtle neutral oak aging.

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California Rosé

• Blend: varies
• Taste: varies
• Pairs with: Pulled-Chicken Tacos , Bahn-Mi, Potato Bacon Quiche
• Cost: $16–$24

Independent producers all over California are embracing rosé winemaking to great success. You can find top producers offering awesome affordable wines who usually make more expensive reds and whites. The best ones to look for come from the cooler coastal growing areas in California from the Sonoma Coast down to coastal Santa Barbara.

 

Spanish Rosado

• Blend: Garnacha (Grenache), Tempranillo, Others
• Taste: Raspberry, Cherry, Allspice, Umami
• Pairs with: Carnitas Tacos , Moorish Chicken Paella , Huevos Rancheros, Chicken and Green Chile Taquitos
• Cost: $8–$16

Spain has quite a range of rosé wines, but perhaps the most known about is the Tempranillo and Garnacha-based rosado wines from Rioja. Tempranillo rosé wines typically offer a distinct meaty note which makes for a much more full-flavored style of rosé that matches with richer foods like carnitas tacos. To the northeast of Rioja is the region of Navarra which makes a brilliant red Rosado from Garnacha.

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Spanish Txakolina (“chok-oh-lee-nah”)

• Blend: Hondarrabi Beltza, Others
• Taste: Tart Cranberry, Pepper, Fresh Herbs
• Pairs with: Pinxtos (traditional Basque toasts), Avocado and Fried Egg Toasts , Lox, Cream Cheese and Chive Bagels
• Cost: $15–$22

It’s cool along the coastline in northern Spain around Bilbao and San Sebastián. This is where you’ll find the zappy, herbaceous red wines of Txakolina. Red wines are dry, spicy, and herbaceous with notes of lime and cranberry often with a touch of fizziness.

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More About Rosé

Did you know that rosé wines are made with red wine grapes? There are 2 primary ways in which rosé wines are made and each results in a different style of wine.

How Rosé Wine is Made