Rosé. Rosado. Rosato. What's in a name? A rosé, by any other word, would still be the perfect addition to your summer. Whether you're heading to a BBQ, dangling toes in the pool or hanging out in the backyard watching children run amok, chill a bottle and serve it in a frosty glass. Ahhhhhh. Vacation in a glass.
From dry to fruity and everywhere in between, here are a few of our favorites this season.
ITALY
Calabretta Wines ‘Rosato Terre Siciliano’
Mount Etna, Sicily Grapes: Nerello Mascalese
"Wild elegance"
One of the first ‘natural’ wine producers on Etna, while still maintaining a very old school, handcrafted sensibility. The family has been making wine there since around 1900. Small red fruits mingle with Mediterranean herbs and flowers. Fresh and mineral. Close your eyes and imagine Etna erupting.
Fatalone ‘Primitivo Teres’
Puglia IGT, Grapes: Primitivo
"A gorgeous, fun, happy, bright wine with the most lively bounce to it."
An early member of the Petrera family (Filippo Petrera II) got the nickname “Il Fatalone” (an irresistible seducer of women), and the name stuck as a nickname for the whole family. The wine itself is absolutely seductive: organic, free-run Primitivo juice that ends up the color of a brooding red sunset. Fruity, good lord. We swoon.
Le Calle ‘Rosa delle Calle’
Tuscany (Maremma), Grapes: Ciliegiolo
"Cooked strawberries shine in the midrange and give way to a wildness that emerges like a bear from a thicket."
Oh, gawd, the grape I can never pronounce. Ciliegiolo (say chee-lye-JO-lo, with emphasis) is a native Tuscan grape that typically had been blended into Chianti for aromatics. Winemakers have “rediscovered” it, and are taking advantage of the unique character it can offer on its own. Winemaker/farmer Riccardo Catocci and his wife Savina work very hard on their farm raising sheep, growing grains and olives, and making wine. There wines are all super delicious, and carry an elegance and complexity that belies their humble roots. This rosato is serious and complex, but holds freshness and clarity.
Podere della Torre ‘Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo’
Abruzzo, Grapes: Montepulciano
"Crusty white bread vibes, slathered in cherry preserves"
Two friends with a passion for their land, reviving an old family winemaking business on modern terms of small yield, biodynamic agriculture, and minimal intervention in the cellar. Reminds me of crusty white bread slathered in cherry preserves: fresh but soft, “chewy”, a subtle savory edge. A delightful raw almond note on the finish.
FRANCE
Domaine Guion ‘Bourguiel Rosé’
Loire (Bourguiel) Grapes: Cabernet Franc
"Smells like peppered strawberries on a bed of rose petals on the forest floor"
These guys are the secret rock stars of the Loire, according to certain wine nerds (ultra wine dork Jancis Robinson, for example). Stéphan Guion is a shy, quiet man, who just wants to share his wines with the world, and not ride the wild lightning of winemaker fame. So, for now at least, his wines are an absolute bargain. Smells like peppered strawberries on a bed of rose petals on the forest floor. Tastes like…blood orange juice? No, melon! No, raspberries! While you’re trying to decide, the bright, mineral finish is luring you in for another sip.
GERMANY
Weingut Schlossmuhlenhof Rheinhessen
Grapes: Müller-Thurgau, St. Laurent, Gelber Muskateller
"A big fun good time from Germany"
Goodie gumdrops: a big fun good time from Germany. So, do like the Germans do, and go get naked in a public park while quaffing some of this happy juice. Someone will have a guitar, so sing a song about watermelon Jolly Ranchers and dancing strawberries in the sunshine, while peeling oranges and laughing, laughing so gaily.
PORTUGAL
Bojo do Luar ‘Deu Bode’
Vinho Verde Grapes: Vinhão Borraçal, Aristo, Azal
"Is it really a rosé? Oh, well, who cares?"
Well, this is a sneaky one. Is it really a rosé? It’s actually a red+white blend. Oh, well, who cares? It’s bright, fresh and a little rustic, with flavors of flowers and pomegranates and plums. As far as I can tell, ‘deu bode’ is slang for doing something really dumb while you’re drunk (you “gave the goat”). Take it for a spin, and see what happens! Yippee!
USA
California, Where’s Linus Rosé Mendocino
Grapes: Petite Syrah
"Juicy purple herbaceous Kool-Aid. Get hip."
There was drought the year these grapes were growing, which caused their skins to grow thick and throw off the ratio of skin to pulp. So, even though this is made as a rosé, it came out much darker than planned. It also gives the wine a bit of a tannic edge which makes it a perfect accompaniment for everything from cheesy nibbles to BBQ.
CHECK THESE OUT, TOO:
Cora Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo (Italy, Abruzzo)
Ercole Piemonte rosato (Italy, Piedmont)
Genio Español Monastrell Rosato (Spain, Jumilla)
Mas des Cabres Estive Rosé (France, Languedoc)
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