Ravishing Rosés from Around the World

All rosés are not equal, some are more flavorful, refreshing and stunning than others. It often depends on the grape varieties used in the blend and, of course, that je ne sais quoi of great wines.  We think of Provence rosés as the gold standard with their inspiring faint pink shades. Yet darker rosés from ruby to scarlet can be as tasty and desirable.
Decibel Crownthorpe Rosé ($16)—With a surrealistic label picturing a lady with lush roses emerging from her torso, this salmon pink rosé is made from 100% Pinot Noir grown in a single vineyard in Hawke’s Bay on New Zealand’s North Island.  It possesses a sumptuous flavor bursting with raspberries, citrus, stone fruit and spice. Fittingly for this artistic rosé, winemaker Daniel Brennan’s signature is on the label.

Skid Rosé by Saracina ($20)—Made from 100% Malbec grown sustainably at the Saracina vineyard on a 250-acre ranch in Mendocino County in California’s Upper Russian River Valley, coral-hued Skid Rosé has lively red berry and watermelon notes. Pair it with Mediterranean grilled fish and specifically with tomato and watermelon salad. 

Minuty Prestige ($30)—From the iconic Provence estate Château Minuty, this pale pink rosé, combines hand-harvest estate grapes grown in Saint-Tropez and in the hills of Vidauban in Provence-Cote d’Azur region. Made from the classic Provence blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Tibouren and Syrah, the delicate wine has scents of white flowers and melon and flavors of citrus and red fruits.

Bila-Haut by Michel Chapoutier ($15)—Made from a blend of Grenache and Cinsault, the wine hails from an historic estate, once a refuge for the Knights Templar, located in Côtes du Roussillon in Languedoc. The rosé is beautifully balanced and very flavorful with citrus and mineral notes and refreshing crispness.

Planeta Rosé ($20)—An outstanding Sicilian rosé combining Sicily’s indigenous grape Nero D’Avola (50%) with Syrah (50%), it opens with floral fragrances of hibiscus and rose hip. From there it displays vibrant flavors of strawberry, pomegranate, honey dew melon and peach. This a wow-wine.

Belle Glos Oeil de Perdrix Pinot Noir Blanc ($25)—Oeil de Perdrix translates to partridge eye to describe the jewel tone of this seductive rosé, which has intriguing flavors of pink grapefruit, apricot, lemon, and spice. Made from Pinot Noir from Sonoma grapes by celebrated winemaker Joe Wagner, whose family founded the Caymus Vineyard, Belle Glos is named to honor of Wagner’s grandmother.Scaia Rosato ($14)—With grapes from high altitude vineyards rising to 900 feet, this 100% Rondinella rosé hails from Tenuta Sant’Antoni, the family estate of the Castagnedi brothers, in the north east region of the Veneto. It displays a faint pink hue and vivid aromas of roses and raspberries, and a tangy freshness. It’s a delicious wine from Dalla Terra, the direct importer of small leading family wineries in Italy.

Fantini Cersasuolo D’Abruzzo ($16)—This is a lively bright pink rosé made from Montepulciano d’Abruzzo grape. It has a vivid strawberry flavor and is medium bodied making it a good food wine with white meats and cheeses.

Attems Pinot Grigio Ramato ($18)—With a coppery hue and a rich complex bouquet, this Pinot Grigio rosé is technically an orange wine (white made like a red) vinified at the historic Attems estate, acquired in 2000 by the Marchesi Frescobaldi family. It has wildflower aromas along with white peach, cantaloupe, cherries, and blackberries.

Pietradolce Etna Rosato ($26)—With its vineyards at 2,000 feet above sea level on the slopes of Mt. Etna, Pietradolce wines possess wonderful minerality for which the Etna region is famous. Made from 100% Nerello Mascalese from old vines between 40-50 years old, this rosé has a rich bouquet of acacia blossoms and pear, is dry and complex and fresh on the finish. 

Bonterra Rosé ($16)—With grapes grown in Mendocino and other organic vineyards sites throughout California, this rosé is made from Grenache and has bright fruit flavors of red cherry, watermelon, grapefruit, pomegranate and peach with a crisp finish. It comes in colorful little cans as well as easy to transport cardboard 1.5 liter boxes for picnics and outdoor activities.

Erse Rosato ($25)—From Tenuta di Fessina, this darker raspberry shaded rosato, made from mostly Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio, is unique with dried floral scent of acadia and delicious savory flavors of pomegranate, rhubarb, and red cherry and a savory minerally finish.

Daou Vineyards Rosé ($22)—Coming in a rounded bottle with a fanciful white painted design etched onto the glass, this faint pink, celebratory rosé from Paso Robles has aromas of strawberry, peach, watermelon, and cherry and finishes crisp with a citrus note.