It’s official, Rosé (that is, dry Rosé) has become extremely popular with American consumers. Rosé has experienced an amazing growth in sales in recent years. And quality mostly has grown, too, even as variety has increased.
Still, as rosé’s success has led to a proliferation of pink wines on shop shelves, some now worry the result will be a decline in quality and slowing sales. Luckily, I didn’t see that in my tasting. I was impressed with the overall quality and consistency of the wines below. Note, all wines here are 2020 vintage, unless otherwise stated.
Rosé can be enjoyed as an apéritif or with the full range of foods. Because the flavor profile is similar to their red siblings, while they drink more like white wines, rosé pairs with many foods and may be enjoyed year-round. Rosé goes really well with food because it combines some of the fruit and tannin of a red with the acidity and vibrancy of a white wine. It’s a perfect pairing for shellfish, spicy Asian cuisines, pasta or a big lunch-salad. Some vintners love it with a juicy burger.
Interestingly, most of the wines in my tasting were from pinot noir. California wineries seem to have latched on to pinot noir as the grape of choice for Rosé. This is likely because the grape typically produces lighter colored wines anyway and tends to reveal its primary aromas and flavors at earlier ripeness. The best wines are easy drinking, refreshing, yet flavorful. They exhibit bright, fruit ranging from strawberry, cherry, raspberry, and cranberry to rhubarb, pomegranate, and watermelon.
Inman “Endless Crush®” Russian River Valley ($38) certified sustainable, estate grown, Olivet Grange Vineyard, pretty red cherry and fresh cranberry, tangy, mineral
Pisoni “Lucy” Santa Lucia Highlands ($19) delicate, succulent mixed berries, supple, one dollar of each bottle sold is donated to breast cancer aid and research, fine value
Alma Rosa “Vin Gris” Santa Rita Hills ($35) estate grown from El Jabali Vineyard, structured, elegant and refreshing, tangy strawberry, peach, grapefruit
Alma de Cattleya Sonoma County ($22) Russian River Valley and Carneros grapes; specifically grown for rosé’s, strawberries raspberries, tangerine and pomegranate, brisk, modestly herbal
Argyle “Grower Series” Willamette Valley ($30) with chardonnay and small amount of pinot meunier from estate Knudsen and Lone Star vineyards, crisp, creamy watermelon, red berry, mineral notes
Diora “Le Belle Fête” Monterey ($20) San Bernabe estate, juicy red berries, spice
Raeburn RRV ($20) with zinfandel and grenache, brisk rasberry, citrus
Grapes originating in Southern France – notably Côtes de Provence (grenache) and Rhône Valley (grenache, cinsault, syrah, mourvedre) – also are popular. They tend to make a rosé a bit richer, offering more intensity with a touch of spice.
Alma Rosa Grenache Rosé ($30) sourced from El Jabali estate vineyard, brisk, cherry, strawberry, orange, peach, salty note
Bonny Doon “Vin Gris de Cigare” Central Coast ($15), grenache with cinsaut, clairette blanc, grenache blanc, mourvedre, and vermentino; brisk strawberry, nectarine, lightly creamy, touch of spice, fine value
Ram’s Gate Rosé Sonoma Coast ($38) grenache with pinot noir and syrah, tart red berries, citrus
Finally, there are rosés produced with Bordeaux varieties, and the Acumen “Mountainside” Napa Valley ($30) is a fine example. It is 100 percent merlot from the estate Attelas Vineyard and offers bright cherry and strawberry with a slightly herbal accent in a nicely firm frame.