Summer is here and it’s time to drink pink! We officially started on June 11, National Rosé Day. But the weather around here did not cooperate for a deck party, so instead we hosted one two weeks later. We discovered many colors of rosé, from the palest of pinks to rich cranberry and even orange. We poured 21 bottles to 20 friends. Read on for our thoughts on the ones we tasted and recommend.

Drink Pink

There’s always an occasion to “rosé all day”! Certainly, it’s time to drink pink on the patio, oceanside or poolside. We officially started to drink rosé on National Rosé Day, as a refreshing summer sipper. However, we also open food-friendly rosé all year round.

For example, serve rosé with seafood, shellfish and smoked salmon. Or, for instance, try salads, pasta, grilled chicken, grilled lamb, Asian dishes or red-berry desserts.

Drink Pink Parties

It was cloudy and cool on National Rosé Day, so we postponed our deck party. Instead, a small group of friends stopped by to celebrate. We opened these four bottles then. Subsequently, two weeks later, on a warm sunny day, we held our outdoor happy hour. Twenty people joined us, and sampled 21 bottles, paired with an assortment of appetizers ranging from salmon to chicken, and lots of dips.

Drink Pink Wines

Of all the bottles, we recommend ten rosés that we tasted at either the  National Rosé Day gathering or our deck party. Three are from France, two are from Washington state and California, and one each from Oregon, Italy and Spain. Likewise, our guests obviously enjoyed many other rosés in this recycle bin, including a favorite from Mulderbosch Vineyards, considered one of South Africa’s iconic wineries.

Chateau Miraval Côtes du Provence 2020 (France) ($28)

Chateau Miraval Côtes de Provence Rosé 2020 is a crowd-pleaser. This lively wine blends Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Rolle, grown on clay and limestone. Moreover, the rosé is fresh, crisp and clean, featuring aromas and flavors of red berries and citrus, laced with minerality and salinity. This pale-pink Miraval Rosé is elegant and refined, and a perfect example of why Rosé is so popular these days.

Daou Vineyards Discovery Rosé 2019 (California) ($24)

DAOU Vineyards released Discovery Rosé as part of a Valentine’s Day luxury wine gift set called “DAOU Bouquet of Rosés.” This is a delightful rosé from Paso Robles, and one of the surprise favorites at the deck party. Aromas of strawberries, cherries, peaches and watermelon lead into flavors of green apples, melons, stone fruit and citrus zest. What a bright and breezy rosé. Try it with beautifully baked salmon, like we did, or other seafood dishes.

Domaine Delaporte Sancerre Rosé 2019 (France) ($34)

This is a full-bodied rosé of 100% Pinot Noir from the Loire Valley. Aromas of raspberries, red currants, citrus and peaches echo on the palate, with the rich flavors balanced by crisp acidity. While the rosé is excellent as an aperitif on the deck, it can also be paired with delicatessen meats, spicy dishes, paella and seafood. Located in the heart of the Sancerre region, Domaine Delaporte is a family business that has been passed from father to son since the 17th century.

Famille Perrin Côtes du Rhône Reserve Rosé 2020 (France) ($14)

We have been fans of Famille Perrin Rosé for many years, and this bottle continues that tradition. This pretty wine is the color of pink grapefruit. Aromas of flowers and red berries mirror on the palate. Easy to drink, it’s crisp, smooth and juicy, with a nice minerality and salinity. The iconic Perrin family is often referred to as the “first family of the Rhône Valley”. They are pioneers in their innovative approach to organic farming in 1950, and later biodynamic farming in 1974.

K & M Wines Rubis Syrah Rosé 2020 (Oregon) ($28)

K & M offers two Rosés at the same price point. Their go-to wine is Rosé of Pinot Noir, which can be poured all year. But we brought home Rubis Rosé of Syrah after visiting the Carlton winery in April. And therefore, we opened it at the party. Rubis is K & M’s first Rosé of Syrah, and winemaker/co-owner Ken Morrison says they are thrilled with it. We  are too. We enjoyed its peach, strawberry and cherry flavors.

Lauren Ashton Cellars Rosé 2021 (Washington) ($21)

Lauren Ashton Rosé 2021 equally blends Grenache (50%) and Mourvedre (50%), sourced from Lonesome Springs Vineyard in the Columbia Valley. This Rosé is balanced, lively and dry. It features red berry, watermelon and citrus flavors as well as spicy notes. It’s always exemplified the high quality of rosé in Washington state, and is perfect all year round. Our friends loved it as much as we do.

L’Ecole 41 Alder Ridge Vineyard Grenache Rosé 2020 (Washington) ($22)

2020 Alder Ridge Vineyard Grenache Rosé is a classic lightly colored Provence-style Rosé that is simply delicious. Aromatics of strawberries, raspberries and watermelon lead into beautiful flavors of orange peel, pomegranate and juicy strawberries. Fermented in stainless steel tanks, this 100% Grenache Rosé is clean and crisp with bright acidity. We adored this L’Ecole Rosé so  much that we bought a case last year. It sold out quickly but the latest vintage is still available.

Marqués de Cáceres Rosé 2020 (Spain) ($28)

This Rosé from Rioja blends 96% Tempranillo with
4% Garnacha Tinta (certified organic grapes). The result is aromas of strawberries and raspberries with a hint of licorice. The palate offers more red berry flavors, along with cherries and lemon zest. This is an elegant rosé with luscious flavors and balanced acidity and structure. Our friends emptied this bottle quickly at the deck party.

Tentuta di Fessina Erse Rosato (Etna) 2019 (Italy) ($25)

Erse Rosato 2019 opens with aromas of pomegranates, cherries, acacia honey, lime zest and white pepper, which  echo on the palate. This rosé blends traditional Etna grapes,  Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio, grown on volcanic soils in organic-certified vineyards. This full-bodied, complex rosé is structured and savory, with a streak of minerality. Erse complemented salmon and chicken at our party.

Wiens Family Cellars Rosé of Primitivo 2021 (California) ($26)

Rosé of Primitivo is fresh, light and full of aromas and flavors of watermelon and strawberries. We visited Temecula earlier this year, and brought home two bottles. Likewise, we were not surprised to learn that it sold out shortly after. (However, Rosé of Malbec is now available.) Wiens also offers an amazing Brut Rosé. At our small gathering on National Rosé Day, we unanimously chose this beauty as Wine of the Night.

Summary: Drink Pink

In conclusion, we love many different styles of rosés. Consequently, we sip it on our deck lakeside on warm evenings, and watch its pretty color match the gorgeous Washington sunsets.

Note: Six of these bottles are samples but all opinions are our own.

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Cheers!
Margot and Dave