Summertime and rosé. Trust me on this.
Rosé often gets a bad rap. It’s billed as an insipid, boring wine with little or nothing to it. So often someone tells me, “I prefer a wine with more meat/more oak/more sweetness/more dryness.” In fact, a good rosé can remind us of sunshine, summer and days spent outside with good friends. This weekend, rain or shine, try these three examples of excellent dry, crisp and clean rosés, perfect for an afternoon of backyard grilling.
1. Domaine Font-Mars Dino de Cleménce Rosé This rosé is made of 100-percent syrah grapes from the Languedoc region of France and tastes crisp and clean with flavors of fresh berries and citrus. One of my best indicators of quality is if my wife and I finish the bottle. We finished this easy-drinking wine so quickly, I didn’t even notice until I reached for another pour and found an empty bottle. The moral of the story: stock up. $12, available at Parker’s Table 2. Calera Vin Gris of Pinot Noir This rosé, made entirely of pinot noir grapes, holds clean scents of roses and strawberries that continue on the palate with a hint of orange flower and a slightly minty, chalky touch. It’s a dry, beautiful wine that’s enjoyable and affordable, yet it exudes the craftsmanship of a small, artisanal vineyard on California’s central coast. $20, available at Randall‘s in St. Louis 3. Chateau Thivin Beaujolais-Villages Rosé I love Beaujolais. Not that banana, bubble gum stuff that comes out in November, but the family-owned, artisanal bottles created by small wineries in towns north of Lyon, France. This 100-percent gamay rosé, made by those same wineries, is essentially made like a white wine with only 24 hours skin contact. Its fresh, red-fruit flavors and tart finish make it perfect for barbecue and al fresco meals, pairing well with everything from olives to fresh fruit desserts. $18, available at Parker‘s Table
This article appears in Readers’ Choice 2015.