Welcome to the Wonderful World of Rose
There’s a world of rosé out there, and we intend to drink it! From the West Coast to Southern France, here are the best regions to look for and the flavor profiles to expect from single grape varietals used to make wine in hues from pale petal to deep magenta.
Pinot Noir Rosé
Wet your palate with Pinot Noir rosé: Try this dry, delicately fruity style still from Oregon or Southern France, or seek out sparkling rosé Champagne from Montagne de Reims. Typically boasting strong minerality, pink wine from Pinot Noir grapes may also feature notes of tart cherry, apple, citrus zest, and watermelon, making it ideal for summertime sipping.
Mourvedre Rosé
Consider French, Portuguese, or Spanish Mourvèdre rosé: Often dry, fruity, and floral with flavors of fresh rose and violet petal, red plums and cherries, and dried Herbes de Provence, they pair beautifully with earthy fare like roast chicken, wild mushrooms, and spring greens.
Tempranillo Rosé
Tempt your palate with Tempranillo rosé from Rioja, Spain: Tempranillo grapes typically lean savory and herbaceous, lending notes of watermelon, strawberry, and green peppercorn to the glass. They’re great for pairing with a cheese plate or smoked salmon.
California White Zin
Quench your thirst with a California White Zin: White Zinfandel is typically a sweet blush beverage with notes of ripe strawberry, juicy melon, cotton candy, and lemon at the finish.
Look for Garnacha from Spain or Grenache from France’s Rhone region if you want a low-acid, low-tannin rosé: These wines are typically dry and fruit-forward with bursts of raspberry and watermelon, balanced by hints of cucumber and lemon.
Sangiovese Rosé
Savor a Sangiovese rosé from Tuscany or California: Often dry with notes of sweet cherry, strawberry, and spicy clove and cumin, it has enough character to stand up to gamier meats like lamb and duck.
Syrah Rosé
Go to Napa, Washington, or Southern France to try a Syrah rosé: Syrah grapes can create slightly savory wines with elements of green olive and pepper balanced by fruity characteristics like Rainier cherries and zesty lime.
Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé
Find a Cabernet Sauvignon rosé from California or South Africa: It’ll give off deep notes of green pepper, Bing cherry, and black currant.
Cinsault Rosé
Search out Cinsault from Tavel AOV in France: Cinsault rosé can be rich and savory, with a spicy perfume, flavors of summer strawberries and red cherries, and an earthy character, making it a particular favorite of regular red wine drinkers.
As the popularity of rosé wine grows, so do the number of producers. As a result we are finding some top notch rosés being created by some of the finest wineries.