There’s no better way to chill out when the weather warms up than with a cool glass of rosé, the perfect summer libation.
Rosé has an alluring style. Its bright fruit, crisp acidity and low tannins make it refreshing, smooth and easy drinking. While these characteristics make rosé especially appealing in hot summer months, its approachability gives it year-round popularity with wine enthusiasts at every level. Rosé is also versatile. It’s terrific as an aperitif and as a dinner wine, pairing as well with sushi as it does with BBQ.
The personalities of rosés are diverse, depending on the grape varietal:
Grenache rosé tends to have flavors of strawberry, blackberry and light orange notes.
Pinot Noir rosé displays more cherry and raspberry characters, with a subtle minerality.
Syrah rosé shows ripe red fruit and white peppercorn aromas and a slight smokiness.
Sangiovese rosé has strawberry and floral on the nose with green melon and light baking spices, such as cinnamon, on the palate.
While French Provence is famous for the best rosés in the world, don’t turn a cold shoulder to lesser known regions. There are high-quality rosés coming from a multitude of places these days, including Italy, Chile and Spain.
Recommendations to keep you cool all summer
Vina Leyda 2021 Pinot Noir Rosé, San Antonio Valley, Chile, $15, wine.com.
G.D. Vajra Rosabella 2022 Rosato Piedmont, Italy, $20, Italianini, Sunny Isles Beach.
Abacela Grenache Rosé 2022, Umpqua Valley, Oregon, $20, Abecela.com.
Piera 1899 Clar Delune 2021 Prosecco DOC Rosé Brut Nature, Friuli, Italy, $24, Primo Liquors, Fort Lauderdale.
Château De Noblesse 2021 Bandol Rosé, France, $24, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits.
Château La Mascaronne 2021 Côtes de Provence, France, $27, Virginia Philip Wine Shop & Academy.
Flowers 2022 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, $28, Doris Italian Market, North Palm Beach.
*Out East 2021 Cru Classe Côtes de Provence, France, $33, Virginia Philip Wine Spirits and Academy, Palm Beach.
*Locally owned.
We’ll have what they’re having
If you like rosé but are in the mood for a cocktail, Kaysie Rogers, Advanced Sommelier, the Flagler Steakhouse at The Breakers, Palm Beach, created a great drink to keep you cool.
“This cocktail is the perfect summer sipper; it is light, refreshing and big on flavor. The berry, grapefruit and slight bitter notes of the Lillet balance out the prosecco and bright peach flavors of the vodka, while rosemary gives an aromatic lift,” Rogers says. “This is a lower-alcohol cocktail, so you can relax and enjoy without overindulging.”
Riviera Spritz – Glamorous Beach Life in a Glass
• 2 oz. Lillet Rosé
• 1 oz. Grey Goose Essences White Peach & Rosemary
• 2 oz. Prosecco
• Garnish with a lemon wheel and rosemary sprig
Blend rosé and vodka in a cocktail shaker and pour over ice into your favorite wine glass. Top with prosecco and finish with a lemon wheel and sprig of rosemary.
Peg San Felippo is a certified sommelier who served as a judge at the recent Los Angeles Invitational Wine & Spirit Challenge, the annual American Fine Wine Competition, South Florida’s home-grown national wine event; and THE Rosé Competition.