ROSÉ CONTINUES ITS RISE IN CONSUMERS’ HEARTS

America has become serious about rosé. It’s now the third ranking producer and consumer. And its popularity is mostly for higher quality dry rosés. These wines are great with food as well as an aperitif. They are crisp and refreshing with flavors similar to red wine but drinking more like white wine. This column focuses on Italy and California with side trips to Austria, Spain and Chile.

Rosato, as it is known in Italy, is found up and down the peninsula and is produced from numerous native grape varieties. 

Veneto: 2022 Scaia ($15) rondinella, a traditional Valpolicella variety; raspberries, peach, tangy

Tuscany: 2022 Capezzana “Vin Ruspo” ($19) organic sangiovese, small amounts of cabernet sauvignon and canaiolo from Carmignano; tart, cherry pie

Marche: 2022 Garofoli “Kómaros” ($14) montepulciano; intense watermelon

Puglia: 2022 Li Veli “Torrerose” ($15) negroamaro, juicy cherry

2022 Li Veli Susumaniello “Askos” ($25) ancient grape; raspberry, spicy, herbal

Sicily: 2021 Sallier de La Tour Madamarosè” ($21): syrah; fresh, lively rhubarb, savory 

California seems to have latched on to pinot noir as the grape of choice. Its rosés tend to the brisk acidity of sharper red fruits. Some also are labeled “Vin Gris”. The wines below are 100% pinot noir unless otherwise noted. 

Sonoma: 2022 Ram’s Gate ($40) Sonoma County; 51% pinot noir, 49% mourvèdre; fuller body, intense, spicy red berries

2021 Naidu ($30) Sonoma Coast; mostly estate fruit; crips strawberry, cherr

2022 Alma de Cattleya Sonoma County ($22) Russian River Valley and Carneros fruit; crisp, savory, strawberry, rhubarb, cranberry

2022 Sonoma-Cutrer ($25) Russian River Valley; tangy red berries, rhubarb, spice

2021 Sebastiani ($28) from the Sonoma side of Carneros; exuberant, strawberry, watermelon, touch of mint 

Napa: 2022 Frank Family “Leslie” ($50) from Napa side of Carneros; fresh, vibrant, cherry, peach, citrus

2022 Bouchaine “Vin Gris” ($29) from the Napa Valley side of Carneros; labeled Vin Gris of Pinot Noir; lively, strawberry, watermelon, nectarine

Santa Barbara: 2022 Fiddlehead Cellars “Pink Fiddle” ($32) from a small single vineyard in the western end of the Sta. Rita Hills; deep, succulent cherry, light spice 

2022 Alma Rosa “Vin Gris” ($38) from the El Jabali estate vineyard in Sta. Rita Hills; complex, elegant, mouthwatering, saline 

Austria: 2022 Triebaumer Reserve ($14) blaufränkisch – known as Lemberger in Germany; juicy, vibrant, peach, raspberry, strawberries, pear 

2022 Weingut Bründlmayer ($18) Zweigelt – most widely planted red grape in Austria – a crossing of blaufränkisch and St-Laurent; organic, strawberry, cherry, floral, yeasty, lively

Spain: 2022 Conde Valdemar ($18) 85% garnacha,15% viura from family-owned vineyards in Rioja; cherry, roses, red berries, smooth, fresh 

Argentina: 2020 Otronia “45 Rugientes” ($30) organic pinot noirfrom Patagonia, fermented with native yeasts; red fruit, pink pepper, flowers, persistent 

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