Rise of rosé: Here are the best wines for summertime sipping
The hottest thing around when it comes to summer sippers, rosé sales rose 53 percent in 2017 – outpacing all other table wine sales. This year, sales are anticipated to be even higher. No doubt, many of us are now getting ready to rosé all day and make our contribution to the continued increase in pink drink sales. But with so many rosé choices, and so little time, where does one begin? We tasted more than 65 rosés and picked out the most delicious wines for poolside, riverside, oceanside, patio-side, picnic-side sipping. In short, a rosé for every occasion.
Riverside rosé
Taft Street 2017 Rosé of Pinot Noir - Unscrew the cap, pour into your stemless plastic wine glass, and toast to summer as you float down the Russian River with a bottle of Taft Street's rosé made with pinot noir grapes grown just a few miles from the iconic Sonoma County river. With its high acid and low sugar, it's a dry wine with bright notes of raspberry, watermelon and strawberry. It's a destined crowd-pleaser.
Sidebar 2017 Rosé Russian River Valley - A side project of acclaimed winemaker David Ramey, Sidebar offers easy to drink wines that are meant to be enjoyed now (unlike Ramey's coveted, cellar- worthy pinot noir under his Ramey Wine Cellars label). The first rosé we tried this year, it's made from old vine syrah. It has a beautiful color that draws the eyes in and a taste of strawberry and cream that is lush and satisfying on the palate. A great reward after a long day of kayaking on the Russian River.
Pinot pleasers
Corner 103 2017 Rosé of Pinot Noir - Unlock summer with this screw cap rosé that was crafted with pinot noir grapes specifically grown just for the purpose of making rosé. A salmon pink, it has a cherry and berry notes, with touches of herbs on the nose and lush notes of melon and strawberry on the tongue. It's Corner 103's first foray into still rosé and was well worth the wait - pick up a bottle (or two) now, as only 56 cases were produced.
Balverne 2017 Rosé of Pinot Noir Reserve, Russian River Valley - Newer wine lovers might not recognize Balverne, but back in the 1980s Balverne was poured at the White House to much acclaim. Today, at their estate property, located a mere mile or two from downtown Windsor, Balverne produces some of the best kept secrets in Wine Country. Their rosé is a real stunner, with lush floral notes, strawberry and watermelon, and its bright pink color is the result of 20 hours of skin contact before fermentation.
Kenwood Vineyards Rosé of Pinot Noir 2017 - Kenwood's rosé returns to the list as one of our favorites this year, after an impressive debut last year with its inaugural vintage. A beautiful bottle, pretty pink grapefruit shade, and lush, berry flavors paired with floral hints on the nose and tip of the tongue combine to create a package deal. On the label, an Indian Paintbrush flower, which is prominent along the Sonoma Coast during the summer, makes this a perfect oceanside wine.
Rhône rosés
Quivira 2017 Wine Creek Ranch Rosé - Quivira has been producing organic wines for many years at their Healdsburg estate. Behind the label featuring Quivira's wild boar mascot and under the screw cap lies a blend comprising three Rhône varietals intentionally grown just for this rosé: grenache, mouvèdre and syrah. Stonefruit rules here - if you love apricot, peach and nectarines you'll love this like a hummingbird loves nectar.
Preston Farm & Winery 2017 Vin Gris - Per Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet “that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” and sweet is not this rosé. Winemaker/owner Lou Preston references Shakespeare when talking about his latest pink release, a blend of cinsault and mouvedre that are picked just for the purpose of crafting a rustic, nice, savory wine that is chock full of strawberry, orange cream and just plain goodness. Bonus points: it's organic.
Three Sticks 2017 Casteñada Sonoma Coast Rosé - Anyone who has tasted prior vintages of this rosé will not be surprised that the current vintage has made the cut. This wine is all about fashion and function. The cute, stubby bottle shouts “Old World” while the watermelon-colored liquid goodness inside screams “rosé all day.” A Rhône blend, you'll be struck with strawberry, grapefruit and a touch of tartness that will perk you up. A “see and be seen” rosé that is Instagram worthy.
Rustic chic rosé
Reeve Wines 2017 Vecino Vineyard Rosé of Pinot Noir - Accessible wines are a specialty of Reeve Wines, which crafts pinot noir, sangiovese and riesling from eco-friendly vineyards that they serve up at their rustic-come-hip Dry Creek Valley tasting room. This biodynamic rosé is a gem of a pink, and probably too good - it's strawberry and sweet tangerine notes make it easy to drink and perfect for poolside lounging … you'll be done with the bottle before you know it.
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