The 13 Best Rosés to Try This Summer, According to Wine Experts

It’s my own little protest against the cold and the dark, and a wonderful reminder that better days are sure to come,” Freedman added. Well said! Anyway, shall we get on with it? Whether you’re spread out on a picnic THE 13 BEST ROSÉS TO TRY THIS blanket in your own backyard or staring longingly out of your apartment window in the city, these are 13 of the best rosés to try this summer, SUMMER, ACCORDING TO WINE according to our experts. EXPERTS 1. Liquid Geography This is a rosé from Rioja that hasn’t quite reached the US yet, but will be by Meagan Drillinger | June 12, 2020 launching here in just a few months. “It’s a delicious Garnacha-based rosé,” said Myers. “The best part is that Ole & Obrigado Imports is donating 50% of the profits to World Central Kitchen,” a charity started by Jose Andres that helps battle global hunger. “Pairing rosé is easy,” he added. “Serve it with happiness. Most rosés are uncomplicated, easy, and fun. They tend to get along with everything from fresh veggies to hearty meats. Don’t overthink it.” 2. Chateau d’Esclans Whispering Angel Rose 2019 If you’re a rooftop rosé veteran, chances are you’ve heard of Whispering Angel. This is the rosé that made most Americans fall for the Provencal style. Rosé tends to be the drink of the summer — but experts said it’s a great wine “Great rosés are being made in almost every wine region, but I have for any time of year. Shutterstock.com a particular affinity for rosés from the South of France,” said Gillian Sciaretta, associate editor at Wine Spectator. “Provence is arguably the most important region in the world for rosé, and many winemakers With Memorial Day in the rearview mirror, we are officially in the fast outside of France strive to make Provencal-styled wines.” lane to summer. What sets a Provencal rosé apart? Its flavors of citrus, red berry, melon, And what does summer signal? Rosé on rooftops, of course. tangerine, spice, herb, and wet stone. Rosés from Provence are dry and have minerals as well. Pair them with seafood and summer salads, While this summer you may be sipping your rosé on your own rooftop Sciaretta added. with a mask firmly at your side, choosing the right rosé can certainly elevate any self-isolation experience, transforming your personal space 3. 2019 Minuty Rosé et Or into a Provencal paradise. This is a rosé that beautifully captures the Chateau Minuty Saint-Tropez estate. It also happens to be the best rosé wine among Vivino users, with “For folks that may be new to rosé, I would encourage them to try a few a 4.3-star rating. different hues,” said Andy Myers, wine director at Jose Andres Think Food Group. “Try a pale Provencal one, a blushing Spanish, and a rich, “[It] speaks of the seaside with its freshness and flavors and represents the dark US version. See what you like.” ultimate in what a quality Cotes de Provence rosé can achieve,” said Joel Anthony Caruso, Vivino’s partner sommelier and beverage educator. He adds that rosés should ideally be dry — anywhere from 12.5% “Its gentle freshness gives way to concentrated, almost gourmet flavors.” ABV or higher is a dry rosé — and loaded with fresh, vibrant fruits like strawberries and raspberries. 4. 2019 Cotes de Provence Rose Tentations Clos Cibonne From the Tibouren varietal, this is a rosé that offers a little twist on the A note from our experts: While we tend to think of warm weather as traditional. “rosé season,” our experts unanimously agree that there is no such thing, and a great rosé can be enjoyed any time of year. The taste of a good rosé “A geeky rosé option for those looking for something different,” said can give us something to look forward to and transport us to a beautiful Brian Phillips, acting general manager and sommelier for The Citrus afternoon at any time of year — which may be just the dose of optimism Club and former wine director for Darden Restaurant Group. “It’s very we need right about now. expressive of the Provencal Mediterranean climate and environment, but the unique Tibouren varietal wine delivers a complex bouquet of flavors “The biggest misconception about rosé is that it’s only for warm- apart from the more common cuvee of Provence.” weather enjoyment. The truth is that rosé is fantastic year round,” said Brian Freedman, a wine, spirits, food, and travel writer. He consults on Phillips recommended sipping Clos Cibonne with richer dishes, from restaurants, is a drinks educator, event host, speaker, and regular wine seafood stews to assorted aged cheeses. contributor for Food & Wine Magazine. “In fact, I love opening a bottle on a snowy evening in the dead of winter. Vineyard Brands | www.vineyardbrands.com | Birmingham, AL 5. Sofia Brut Rosé 2019, Francis Ford Coppola Winery 10. JUSTIN Rosé 2019 If you’re in the mood for something celebratory, a sparkling rosé pairs This delicate-hued rosé uses Syrah as the main event. perfectly with a festive occasion. And these days, we certainly could use a few more reasons to celebrate. “It is a firm and dry wine,” Spellman said. “With just a touch of white pepper and fresh apple in its attractive aromas, it’s a great aperitif with Phillips recommended the Sofia Brut Rosé for its hint of off-dry charcuterie or fine farmstead cheeses.” sweetness. Fun fact: It’s available in both bottles and cans. 11. Arnot-Roberts Rosé California 2019 “Pair this with any water time recreation or chilling on a summer day,” For Christopher Hoel, expert curator for Wine Insiders and Martha he said. “Its bubbles and touch of sweetness are perfect on their own as Stewart Wine Co., founder of Harper’s Club, and former wine director a great refresher.” at French Laundry, you can find great rosé from all over the world, but in an oversaturated market where much of it isn’t worth sipping, it can 6. Le Charmel Provence 2019 be hard to navigate the shelves. For Melvyn Master, proprietor of Le Charmel, Mont Gravet, Exem, Tortoise Creek, Kin & Cascadia, and Tiamo Organic, rosé should always “Domestically, I like Arnot-Roberts,” he said. “They do a funky rosé be from Provence or the south of France. In particular, this year he’s based on one of the staple grapes in the production of port, but they do excited for his Le Charmel Provence. it in a very delicate style.” It’s a pale-style rosé, which is odd coming from one of the thickest skin grapes out there, but it’s one that he absolutely “I think these styles of rosé can be enjoyed alone, but their versatility loves. allows them to be all occasion wines,” he said. “For newbies, I would always choose something that is from the south of France, as these wines 12. Viña Tondonia Rosé Gran Reserva 2009, Lopez de Heredia are the most representative of rosé at its best.” If you really want to mix it up, as many of these wine experts suggested you do with your rosé, Lopez de Heredia is a wine producer in Rioja 7. Domaines Ott ‘BY.OTT’ Rosé that’s creating some fabulous rosé. Their vintage rosé is aged in American Freedman has tasted more than 120 different rosés for the 2020 season, barrels for four years, and then another four years in the bottle. If you so you can trust his judgment when he recommends Domaines Ott “BY. know anything about rosé, that may seem wild to you, but according to OTT” rosé from Cotes de Provence. Hoel, it’s a must-try. “Like a lot of people, my wine drinking time has definitely shifted to “The current vintage is impossible to get,” he said. Not because earlier in the day as quarantine has worn on,” he said. Rosé is perfect for it’s expensive, but because it’s rare. In fact, he said it’s not even that that, as it’s light enough to be enjoyed well before 5 p.m. “The classic expensive, just a tough one to discover. pairing is rosé with Nicoise salad, but I love it with everything from canned sardines to potato chips to grilled hot dogs,” he explained. “It is one of the most amazing rosé experiences you’ll ever have. If you see it somewhere, buy it and call me,” he added. Pro tip: Freedman’s preferred rosé meal is Hebrew Nationals on a Martin’s potato roll topped with sauerkraut, relish, and mustard. 13. Miraval For that classic, mineral, Provencal- “Great rosé pairs with it perfectly,” he said. “My only complaint is that style rose, Phillips recommends the bottle tends to vanish way more quickly than I ever expected.” Miraval, particularly for its wild herb notes and crisp, dry finish. 8. Anne Amie Twelve Oaks Estate Rosé of Pinot Gris 2019 Willamette Valley “Miraval is great on its own,” he For something a little richer, Freedman recommended the Anne Amie says, “but it’s ideal with seafood, Twelve Oaks Estate Rosé, which is copper in color and has notes of as its crunchy mineralogy and light caramel, dried pineapples, tarragon, and lime juice. pink hue complements fresh and briny flavors of the sea.” “Personally, there are times when I want a richer style of rosé, something a bit more extracted, and others when I crave that classic, delicate, With rose, he adds, be on the detailed Provencal style.

Load more