Easy Does It On National Rose Day
The second Saturday in June is National Rose Day.
If it's the second Saturday in June, it must be National Rosé Day, and the start of this annual series of rosés around the world. Bodvar Hafström, the Sweden-born but now Provence-based owner of the eponymous rosé wine brand, lays claim to establishing the official rosé day in 2014, adding further fuel to a wildfire of a category as pink production not only reached higher numbers in volume, but also started spreading across the globe. What was once the signature wine of Provence, now had legs and arms in most any country that produced wine.
This series began a couple of years later to recognize and celebrate various styles of rosé. Where the spiritual home of Provence traditional focused on the Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, and Mourvèdre grapes, global rosés were made from Cabernet Franc, Rioja, Malbec, Saperavi, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Lagrein and more. Who knew that Texas would become a rosé star in the United States—and that Italy would emerge as a major European player in an already competitive field?
Themes of the annual series exclusive to Forbes develop as the bottles roll in. In the past I have always devoted July 4 for American rosés—and will do so this year. There will be a showing for other United States, Italy, France of course—both in and out of Provence—and then the other themes are created as I assess regions, styles, price points or culinary and lifestyle themes. The point is always to show rosé's versatility with food, place, occasions and timing. No need to stop drinking pink after Labor Day!
We'll start things off this year on familiar ground: convivial rosés that are easy to find—and certainly easy to drink. But get ready to buckle your seat belts because take off is impending.
CALIFORNIA COOL
Four easy to find and drink roses from California
Alma Rosa Rosé of Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills. This salmon-colored floral-inflected Grenache rosé is from the cool-climate appellation of North Santa Barbara County. Lots of mouth-watering acidity with the juicy tropical fruits. This is a generous wine that can stand up to light meals from the grill.
La Crema Rosé of Pinot Noir, Monterey. This is a fun fruit bowl in a glass, with plenty of peach, strawberry and tangerine helping out. Cheerful and democratic, serve to the bride to be, your auntie and yourself.
Sonoma-Cutrer Rosé of Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma. A fresh every-day wine from a reliable brand that has not tarnished or tired over the decades. Tangerine and pink grapefruit give this an initial pop, followed by more mellow tones of strawberry and raspberry. Great with composed salads.
Tablas Creek Vineyard, Patelin de Tablas Rosé, a blend of traditional Rhone grapes from a mix of vineyards, driven by 68% Grenache, and the rest Mourvèdre, Vermentino and Counoise. A well-regarded collaboration between France's Famille Perrin and Robert Haas. Sweet strawberries abound with peach chiming in and a lacing of black-pepper spice and anise/licorice. Elevated pop, thanks to the Vermentino.
GET YOUR SOUTHERN FRANCE ON
Take five: Southern France
Jean-Luc Colombo Cape Bleu Rosé. Terrific wine at a great price, this is one of the wines I think of when I think southern France and, particularly, the Mediterranean. A saline hint is accompanies by savory garrigue herbs, red fruits. So fresh and easy, it's tempting to drink the whole bottle in one sitting.
La Vielle Ferme. From Famille Perrin, this is a reliable budget-friendly performer from a prestigious winemaker. Light and lively: grapefruit and tropical fruit-inflected, a tinge of southern France herbal undertone. Make this your house wine this summer.
Hecht & Bannier Languedoc Rosé. Full-on strawberry and pink grapefruit in this fresh, snappy wine that goes with patios, pools and porches. Super food friendly; I like this with a spicy barbecue sauce—cuts right through with its lively acid.
Cote Mas 'Aurore' Rosé. Comes in a slightly larger format bottle (one liter), so goes a little further at your party. Fun retro label, fresh red-berry 'juice' inflected with lavender and laurel inside. Drink this outside and you are transported to the south of France.
AIX Vin de Provence. The VdP designation means the grapes were sourced across vineyards and appellations, so this wine truly gives you a taste of France. The modern label and bottle reflects what's inside: an easy, adaptable fresh-berry-fruited wine you can take from patio to dinner table.
A TWIST OF CELEBRITY
A trio of stylish roses backed by famous faces
Roséblood, Château d'Estoublon. Hailing from a historic estate and in collaboration with Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, France's First Lady, Roséblood, is a stylish and energetic blend of Grenache Noir, Syrah and Vermentino (Rolle). Fresh but not jumpy, and in elegant packaging as fit for the former top model.
INVIVO by Sara Jessica Parker, Vin De France. The producer notes say this was 'selected over an afternoon of tasting,' the meaning of which I'm not sure, but it resulted in a serviceable wine with more fruit structure than a typical Cotes de Provence. Summer berries, medium body, floral.
Miraval Rosé. The wine has lasted a lot longer than the marriage of the couple behind its 2013 debut, but it has held steady over the years. That's largely in part because of the collaboration of Perrin family, known for Château de Beaucastel. Ownership history and drama aside, this has proven to be a solid representation of Provence with true-to-form fresh and full fruit expression, spicy/herbal tinge and a hint of saline. You can bring this to a party and get a thumbs up.
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