Summer In A Bottle

Does any wine signal summer more than a refreshing rosé?

Depending on what part of the country you live in, when the first day of summer hit on June 21, it was either a continuation of a heat wave or, in the northeast, an unseasonable chilly day (I was wearing fleece in upstate New York).

But that didn’t stop me from thinking about rosé wines that are truly summer in a bottle, no matter how fickle Mother Nature is. Pop open one of these rain or shine and transport yourself to summer, whatever your local weather.

Château Gassier Rosé, Cotes de Provence. Stone fruit and tangerine join the red-berry party, accompanies by flecks of pink grapefruit. Pretty label makes a nice presentation on the table. Blend of traditional southern France grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Vermentino, the latter adding a zesty character.

Cuvaison Grenache Rosé 2024, Los Carneros. Estate-grown baby red fruit from the market with raspberry and strawberries making a tender appearance along with watermelon and sweet florals—not heady, but present and pretty. As it opens, a deeper red fruit shows up—currant and pomegranate. Lively and happy; zesty and fresh all around.

Leos Cuvee “Augusta” Rosé, Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. Named for the winemaker’s mother, this is a rather atypical blend of Grenache, Bourboulenc, a tropical-fruited white grape of southern France typically used in blends; and Vermentino, which always adds a punch. An area to watch: at the crossroads of the Luberon, Mont Ventoux (Provence’s highest peak and known as the killer leg of the Tour de France) and the Alpilles, it delivers delicious wines such as this as a good bargain (this one from $20 – $24).

Portlandia Rosé 2024 Columbia Valley, Washington State. Tart and fresh, with a splash of red-berry fruits—not market basket fresh, but more like freshly picked off the bush—and a little bramble. Made of 100% Syrah, this has a little more structure, so it wants a food partner. I liked it with salmon with a grilled crispy crust.

Revelation by Goose Ridge 2023, Goose Gap AVA, Washington State. Super splashy and zesty with a provocative illustration on the label from this multi-generational woman-owned winery. While the bottle is a conversation starter, so is the wine: fresh and sassy with light baby strawberries and early-summer red fruits. Uplifting acid.

Saracina Rosé of Grenache, Mendocino. From a Mendocino County winery producing in the northwest California Mayacamas Mountains, this is almost costal, almost Russian River adjacent. Copper penny pink with plenty of white florals on the nose followed by fresh mountain-side strawberries and tangerine on the palate. Fine on its own, but also a good sip with starters.

Soleil Vin de Bonte “Le Rosé” Vin de France. With an illustration of the sun on the label, you really can’t go wrong calling this summer in a bottle. And, indeed it is! Berries and citrus, easy drinking, versatile as an aperitif wine or with light plates of soft cheeses and charcuterie or a seafood composed salad.

Studio by Miraval Mediteranee IGP. Grapefruit meets ripe nectarine and plush tropical fruits such as guava in a pretty-in-pink juice from the venerable Famille Perrin. Dry and crisp but that lush expression lingers til the end. Stylish bottle is a good party guest.