As Dallas finally broke it’s 47 days of over 100 temperatures (which sadly is not a record), it’s so easy to reach for a glass of rosé. It’s a wine that I personally had to learn to love as the ones I tried earlier on brought me back to eating too many watermelon flavored Jolly Ranchers in sixth grade. I’m happy to say there are some great rosés I happily reach for today.
Rosé is a made from red wine grapes but spends less time fermenting with grape skins. Reduced skin contact provides the color. Rosé is produced around the world, and it’s often categorized as traditional Old World and New World. It can be single varietal or blends of different grapes.
Back in 2019, at TEXSOM, I had the chance to attend a seminar about the aging of rosé. A wine that can age has structure, acidity, complexity, balance, variety, and terroir. Rosé is produced in several ways — skin contact, saignée or blending red and white wines.
I tried a few great sample ones recently:
New World Style
2021 Sokol Blosser Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir — While the watermelon notes are there, it’s a freshly cut version of the fruit along with raspberry, strawberry, cherry and grapefruit. Very refreshing!
2021 Lucy Rosé of Pinot Noir – Notes of peach, strawberry, and citrus. It’s an elegant wine with plenty of structure. When you buy a bottle of this wine, you also support breast cancer research
2021 Troon Vineyard Kubli Bench Rosé – a blend of 55% Malbec, 35% Tinta Roriz and 10% Counoise. This rosé brings to life some of the special things happening in the Applegate Valley. Notes of floral, strawberry, peach, herbs, and a touch of spice.
Old World Style
2020 Chateau des Ferrages Côtes de Provence Roumery Rosé — Lots of acidity and layers make up this wine with notes of strawberry, red currant, peach, citrus ad grapefruit. It is a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah, Vermentino) and Clairette.
2020 Ferraton et Fils Samorëns Rose (Côtes du Rhône) – This rosé with a blend of 75% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 10% Cinsault was one with more structure. Lots of spice, more tannins and notes of blackberry and raspberry.
2020 Michel Chapoutier Bila-Haut Pays D’Oc — lots of strawberry, watermelon, herbs, and citrus.
2020 Miraval Côtes de Provence– these wines are produced by the Perrin family of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and, yes, this is part of a château owned by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. But unlike many celebrity wines that rely on a brand name, this stands on its own. The wine has notes of red berries, citrus, currants, peach, lemon zest and minerality. It is a blend of cinsault, grenache, vermentino and syrah.
2020 Studio by Miraval — This is really a pretty wine. It’s influenced by its marine location and salty soils, that bring a unique terroir to the wine. The blend of cinsault, grenache, vermentino and tibouren has notes of grapefruit, strawberry, citrus, saline, and jasmine.
Whether you like the traditional Provence rosés or a bolder new World style, you can find a style of this wine that meets your palate. It’s the perfect match to crazy Summer temperatures, hot weather and being poolside.
