A few weeks ago, we recommended our favorite French rosés. This week we turn to other parts of the world to complete our review of this year's exciting rosés.
As the weather begins to warm, there isn't a better quaff than rosé. Not only does the drink bring color to the table, but it is a delicious aperitif. Not everyone sees rosé as a serious wine to serve at the dinner table, but we've found it a nice compromise between red and white for foods that may be overwhelmed by traditional wine. Sushi, highly spiced grilled chicken, and seasoned fish, for instance, are no challenge to rosé.
If you can't find something you like below, we have even more rosés on our website, moreaboutwine.com.
Sanford Rosé of Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills Estate 2015 ($23). A bit more expensive than many rosés, but this wine delivers the quality. Typical strawberry notes but accented with an intriguing orange aroma and flavors. Good acidity make this refreshing wine very food friendly.
Gamble Family Vineyards Rosé 2015 ($22). Tom Gamble makes some of the best wines from small lots. His sauvignon blancs and complex red blends top $100 a bottle. But this rosé, while reasonably priced, shows off the same Gamble quality. It's no surprise that this reasonably price entry is balanced, refreshing and balanced with strawberry and watermelon flavors.
Stoller Dundee Hills Pinot Noir Rosé 2016 ($25). This stellar Oregon producer has been making rosé for more than a decade, so it's hardly an afterthought. Very aromatic with red grapefruit and citrus notes.
Michael Mondavi Family Estate Isabel Rosé 2016 ($20). The beautiful bottle is enough reason to try this wine, but what’s inside is equally stunning. Made primarily from cabernet sauvignon grapes with some barbera and muscat canelli, this crisp rosé has red fruit flavors, a dose of spice and a luxurious finish.
Barrymore by Carmel Road Rosé of Pinot Noir 2016 ($18). Peach and apricot flavors mix seamlessly with citrus to create a delicious, balanced rosé from Monterey County. Yep, Barrymore is Drew Barrymore's wine and it's delicious.
Paraduxx Napa Valley Rosé 2016 ($30). One of our favorites of this season, this fabulous rosé from Duckhorn is loaded with forward strawberry and cherry fruit but with a bit of peach and orange to make it interesting. It has the depth and complexity you expect from Paraduxx wines.
El Coto Rioja Rosado 2015 ($12). Spanish rosé producers depend on garnacha (grenache) and tempranillo for their unique rosés. This one from Rioja is simply delicious with cherry aromas and ripe red berry fruits and spice.
Tenuta dell' Ammiraglia Alie Rosé 2016 ($18). Mostly syrah, this Tuscan blend ignores maceration to achieve pure and simple peach fruit flavors.
Figuiere Magali Rosé Cotes de Provence 2016 ($18). A delightful melange of grenache, cinsault, syrah and cabernet sauvignon, this French rosé has classic and bright red berry fruit flavors.
Marques de Riscal Rosado 2014 ($10). Made from tempranillo and garnacha grapes, this Spanish version has a generous floral nose, soft mouthfeel and copious red berry flavors. Great value that won't disappoint.
Santa Cristina Cipresseto Rosato 2016 ($14). A lot of good wines come from this Antinori estate in Tuscany, so it's not surprising to taste a delightful rosé. Lots of sweet peach flavors.
Cline Cellars Ancient Vines Rosé 2016 ($17). Made entirely from mourvedre grapes, this has fresh acidity and easy-drinking red grape and citrus flavors.
Villa Maria Private Bin Hawke's Bay Rosé 2016 ($14). This dry New Zealand rosé is made primarily from merlot grapes grown on the east side of the island. Crisp and fresh, it broadcasts big strawberry flavors.
Kim Crawford Hawke's Bay Rosé 2016 ($18). Also made from merlot grapes grown in the same region as the Villa Maria, this delightful quaff shows off red berry fruit and a hint of citrus.
Sidebar Russian River Valley Rosé 2016 ($21). Made from syrah, this dry California rosé is darker and heavier on the palate with big strawberry and raspberry flavors and crisp acidity.
La Crema Monterey Pinot Noir Rosé 2016 ($20). La Crema is late getting into the rosé game but it offers a decent debut with this pink pinot noir. Cherry, cranberry and a touch of watermelon highlight this quaffable and balanced rosé.
J. Lohr Gesture Grenache Rosé 2016 ($18). Big strawberry and pink grapefruit flavors dominate this lush blend of mostly grenache but with a bit of counoise and mourvedre.
Mulderbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Rose 2016 ($12). A good value from South Africa, this delicious rosé has refreshing strawberry and watermelon flavors with clean acidity.
Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Rosé 2016 ($17). New to the KJ portfolio, this rosé uses the brand’s formula of drawing grapes from several counties. Most of it is pinot noir with a little syrah and “other” thrown in. Fresh and vibrant with a touch of grapefruit to add to the strawberry flavors.
Frescobaldi Alie 2016 ($15). Made from syrah and a bit of vermentino grapes, this Tuscan rosé has unsual character. Ripe and fruity with red fruit, melon and citrus flavors.
Decoy Rosé 2016 ($20). A unique blend of syrah and pinot noir, this rosé has elegant and fresh strawberry flavors with good depth.