Drink Pink: 10 Refreshing & Elegant Rosé Wines
My love of rosé is undeniable: Last year, I led the Drink Pink: Around the World with Rosé seminar at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen. In September, I’ll take attendees of the Food & Wine Classic in Charleston on a pink wine journey in my seminar Rosé Gets a Glow Up: Luxury Pink Wines. I also recently hosted a private rosé tasting for members of the Cornell Club-New York. Would it be too much to mention my rosé inspired Spotify playlist?
For me, rosé is a year-round treat, but there’s no denying that a crisp and refreshing glass of pink wine perfectly matches warm summer days. Here are my picks for ten rosé wines that are pleasing to the eye and palette.
Natura Rosé 2023
Chile
$15
A juicy and flirty blend of organic Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot, this Chilean charmer is silky and refreshing with luscious flavors of strawberries and melon.
Fulkerson Winery Syrah Rosé 2023
Finger Lakes, New York
$16
This richly hued pink wine was recently honored as the Best Pink Wine in the 2024 New York Wine Classic. (I had the pleasure of hosting the event and announcing the winners.) Fulkerson has one of the most extensive plantings of Syrah in New York, and this juicy pink wine showcases the playful side of this robust grape.
Ô de Rosé 2023
Languedoc, France
$20
Provence isn’t your only option for an ooh la la French rosé. Hailing from Languedoc, this delicious blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 10% Viognier is bright and fruity with juicy citrus and red berry flavors.
Bill’s Blend Rosé 2022
$75 for a three-pack
Red Mountain, Washington State
Malbec (52%), Cabernet Sauvignon (30%), and Petit Verdot (18%) make a harmonious trio in this zippy and crisp rosé with flavors of bright berry, citrus zest, and a sophisticated pop of tartness.
Channing Daughters Rosato di Lagrein 2023
The Hamptons, Long Island
$25
This rocking rosé from Long Island is a mouthwatering expression of Lagrein, a red grape native to Alto Adige in northern Italy. Winemaker Christopher Tracy is a rosé whisperer and made five different rosés in 2023 from different grapes and vineyards – a project deemed Molti Rosati (Many Rosés). The Lagrein rosé is juicy and crunchy with bold flavors of red grapefruit, pink peppercorns, and plums.
Stoller Family Estate Pinot Noir Rosé 2023
Willamette Valley, Oregon
$28
Willamette Valley has earned a reputation as one of the world’s premier Pinot Noir regions, but sometimes, winemakers want to cut loose with a more carefree style of this revered red grape variety. Stoller’s breezy, bright, and fruit-forward rosé showcases their skill at crafting a more relaxed expression of Pinot Noir that still honors the essence of the grape. Lively flavors of strawberries, orange peel, and watermelon make this a winning thirst-quencher.
Tablas Creek Dianthus 2023
Paso Robles, California
$40
In my seminars, I always say don’t judge a rosé by its color. Too often, people mistakenly believe darker rosés are sweet and inferior to paler pink wines. Well, this bold pink beauty completely dispels that myth. A blend of 51% Mourvedre, 38% Grenache, 8% Counoise, and 3% Cinsaut, Dianthus was inspired by the rosé traditions of Bandol and Tavel in southern France. Named after the Dianthus flowering plant, known for its deep pink blossoms, this nuanced rosé has rich red berry flavors, a hint of rose petals, and a subtle spray of sea salt.
J Vineyards & Winery Brut Rosé
Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
$50
An elegant blend of 61% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay, and 4% Pinot Meunier, this consistently delicious pink bubbly is made using the same labor-intensive method as champagne, but it has a definite California vivacity. Crisp and creamy with lively bubbles, it pirouettes on the palate. I recently served this at a tasting, and guests kept asking for refills.
Château Minuty 281 2023
Côtes de Provence, France
$75
I featured this upscale rosé in my Coastal Wines seminar at this year’s Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, and it earned rave reviews from attendees. Don’t let the pale color fool you; this blend of Grenache (90%), Syrah (5%), and Rolle (5%) is bursting with flavors of juicy red berries, tropical fruits, and white peaches. The name 281 was inspired by the shade of Pantone blue that adorns the bottle and pays homage to the nearby Mediterranean Sea.
Château d’Esclans Garrus 2022
Côtes de Provence, France
$125
This gorgeous gastronomic rosé challenges the myth that rosé can’t be aged in oak or stand the test of time. Made from a single vineyard of nearly 100-year-old Grenache vines, it was fermented and aged in large French oak barrels. It has toasty notes, a hint of cream, and a lively acidity that keeps its citrus, peach, and tropical flavors lithe and supple. A beautiful balance of power and grace, Garrus pushes rosé to unexpected heights.