Why rosé?

I know, I know....some of you are thinking what? Really? It’s just a phase, just a summer wine or (gasp), all pink wines are the same. Wrong answer!

Did you know that rosé is the second highest consumed varietal in France? The winning

category, you might have guessed, is red. FYI the most popular type of red is Bordeaux.....

(sigh) such a beautiful, delicious red, and they make white Bordeaux too! I’ll share a little secret with you....Bordeaux Blancs are a “go to” white summer wine for me. But hold on....I’m getting off track! I pinky swear we’ll discuss those gems in a different blog.

According to Vitisphere.com the U.S. consumes 16% of the world’s rosé, second to France.

Fortune Magazine wrote “Dollar sales of rosé wine in the United States have grown year over year annually for the past three years, most recently by 42% in 2019, according to Nielsen.”

So if you do the math, second to France ... carry the 3 ... that’s a LOT of wine! Now you’re

curious, aren’t you? So let's talk about why folks like it.

Rosé, appropriately nicknamed “Summer Water,“ is the perfect warm weather wine. If you find white wine too acidic, no problem. Try rosé. Think red wine is too heavy for summer day

drinking? Try rosé. This blushing beauty can range from light and crisp to full bodied, bone dry to fruity and sweet. She’s incredibly food friendly, and more importantly, a cheap date.

Did I mention nosh? Try a rosé with these classic pairings: Seafood, fish and chicken dishes,

baked Ham, spicy foods, vegetable skewers, charcuterie boards, soft cheeses and even steak.

Yep, I said steak!

But what IS rosé?

Rosé can be produced three ways:

1. From red grape varietals (just about any varietal can be used but common ones are Pinot

Noir, Tempranillo, Grenache) with minimal skin contact during the winemaking process.

2. The fancy-sounding Saignée method: Early in the process, a portion of the red wine is

removed after its been in contact with the skins and seeds.

3. Simply mixing red and white wine. This isn’t incredibly common yet, but the Champagne

region has been pioneering this, “Why didn’t I think of that?” method.

How do we pick our wines for you?

Every year more and more winemakers are jumping on the rosé train, fighting to get their

bottles in front of you.

My wine vendors drop off their rosé catalogs filled with all the new, bright, shiny bottles to

choose from. Staff and I spend hours pouring over the choices by getting feedback, reading

journal magazines and reviewing wine ratings in order to select what we want to bring in for the season. We’re almost finished, and I can’t wait to hear your feedback!

Thanks to Covid, this year’s conversation with vendors has started off a little bit differently than usual. Shopping habits changed over the past year, combined with closed restaurants and stores, all negatively affected the sales of rosé. Most distributors were unable to move the products they had preordered in the winter of 2019 for the 2020 season. What does that mean to us? It means this year you will see a lot of 2019 vintages on store shelves. What does this mean for you? More variety and better prices! If there ever was a time to dip your toes into the crisp, rosé waters of summer, this is your season.

A Few Favorites...

From Provence France: Whispering [little sister] The

Palm.

This gem is receiving high praise from both critics and

customers. Made from Grenache, Cinsault and Carignan, this

has gentle fruit notes balanced with minerality. Whispering

Angel is the most recognized rosé from Provence and we’re

happy to see the addition of a more budget-friendly choice for

only $16.99.

Check out Tavel! Chateau D’ Aqueria Tavel Rosé $19.99.

Tavel rosés are from the southern end of the Cotes du Rhone

region and will primarily be Syrah based. Weighty and

concentrated with notes of tart black cherry and blackberry,

this is the rosé for anyone thinking rosé is too light. Try it, I dare

you!

Love California? Try St. Supéry Napa Valley Rosé.

100% estate grown in the heart of Napa. Flavors of raspberry

and strawberry are blended with pomegranate and watermelon

in this blend of 71% Cabernet, 11% Merlot, 10% Malbec, 5%

Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. INCREDIBLE PRICE

ALERT! Typically priced at $19.99 but due to its 2019 vintage

close out we have it for $12.99!

Check out Berrycream Rosé, and don’t let that plain label fool

ya! It’s a great porch drinking wine for a summer night. A crisp

finish with a hint of strawberry for $13.99.

New to the rosé world? Look to Snoop! Yes, you read that

right. Snoop Dogg has partnered with the highly popular

Australian 19 Crimes Wines, and he’s just launched a rosé. His

California rosé is packed with strawberry, raspberry, cherry,

and balanced by acidity and a touch of sweetness on the

finish. If you love Apothic, 19 Crimes, or the Menage a Trois

wines and want to try a rosé - grab a Snoop!

Come on in and see what the fuss is all about! And if you’re ahead of the game on the rosé

train, let us know your favorites in the comments!