The Summer 2022 Rosé Guide!

Anyone who knows me, knows I’ve been a rosé all day kinda girl for years. No matter how cliche that seems, it’s been my go to vino and I’m a rosé enthusiast. What does that mean? If I see a rosé I haven’t tried and it looks good, you can be I’m gonna try it. That said, I am by no means a wine expert and I will never pretend to be one. People who act like they know everything about wine and are stuffy about different types etc just drive me absolutely bonkers. For me it’s simple, if it looks good, tastes good, and doesn’t give me a sugar headache, then it’s good in my book. Now I do have my favorites and of course there are some that I have tried that I will never try again. I’ve even had some that left a weird after taste of meat which is by far the weirdest thing. But I digress, rosé isn’t just summer water to me. It’s my favorite wine and a drink that I know I can find just about anywhere that will sit will with me.

I’ve done previous years guides of rosé I couldn’t wait to try and other recommendations, but this year I thought I would combine the two. I did some scouring of the internet to find some highly talked about rosés I hadn’t heard of before and combined them with ones I’ve always loved or tried recently. Before we get to the guide, what do you need to know about this beloved drink? Well first, you may know it has exploded in popularity over recent years but it has, apparently, actually begun to outsell white wine in France. The beautiful pink color comes from the grape juices contact with the grape skins. This maceration is only done for a few days and when the bright pink hue has been achieved, the fermentation process can begin. While rosé is produced worldwide the most popular region is Provence, France. There are many different price points when it comes to rosé but that doesn’t necessarily equate to quality unlike other types of wine. Whether you’re just getting into rosé or are just unsure, when in doubt always look for one - on the shelf or in a restaurant - from Provence. You can’t go wrong there.

Côtes de Provence Rosé

Hecht & Bannier, $19

I loved this one because not only is the bottle beautiful, well-designed, and so Instagram-worthy, it has a very delicate taste to it. There are notes of cherries, peaches, and strawberries. It’s dry, crisp, and just acidic enough. It’s an excellent pick for an afternoon picnic or just an afternoon tasting.

Godelia Mencîa Rosé

Bodegas, $19

This pick caught my eye based on the bottle alone. Not only is it a perfect light shade of pink - a sign of a good rosé in my book - but the logo is awesome. Godelia is a wine from Spain that has been reviewed as a good crowd pleaser and perfect for dinner parties. It also has “bright acidity” and a “round fruitiness” that is highly refreshing. Refreshing is definitely essential when it comes to a good glass of wine. Sign me up.

La Fete Du Rose

Bertaud Belieu, $18

Another wine that caught my eye from the bottle. Just look at that label! Heart eyes emoji. But, to be fair, it was also well-reviewed which helps it make this nice list. It is a lovely French wine that is full-bodied and has a taste of red berries. According to Total Wine, it is a “ripe” wine that is “spicy and fresh at the same time.”

Hampton Water Rose

Hampton Water, $18

I picked this one up on a Total Wine trip earlier this spring and it has certainly made its way to my favorites list. This French rosé is rich and refreshing. It has notes of melon, white raspberry, and a hint of spice. There is a creamy finish and I love pairing it with a nice afternoon cheese platter. I love this blush color and the bottle design. There is also a glass stopper rather than a regular cork which I also loved especially because it made saving some for later much easier. A real summer favorite.

Rosato

Seghesio Family Vineyards, $30

This one comes in on the more expensive side of the rosés but it looks well worth it. It boasts flavors of “sun-ripened strawberries and white nectarines” with notes of watermelon and jasmine. This wine also was highly recommended because it is juicy and has a crisp, clean finish. They also claim it pairs well with a nice bruschetta or slice of cheese. You don’t have to tell me twice.

Côte Des Roses Rosé

Gérard Bertrand, $15

I received this one as a gift some time back and it’s been a popular one with my friends too. I absolutely love this bottle because the bottom is literally carved into a rose. This wine has floral notes along with grapefruit. It boasts a full balanced palette with finishing notes of…candy. Which, to me, is interesting and definitely sets it apart from others.

Captûre Rosé of Sangiovese

Capture, $25

This rosé was voted best to have with a cheese platter not that there really is a bad wine for a cheese platter, right? But that is certainly a good selling point. The blush color is gorgeous and it has notes of rose petals, melon, cherries, and strawberries. What makes this pick so interesting to me is that it is fermented in cold, stainless steel. It’s been called “legendary” because of where and how it’s made, and I’m interested to find out.

Château Miraval Rosé

Miraval, $28

Miraval has much more body than other rosés and goes well with hearty, big meals. Probably why it’s my go-to choice with a nice burger, haha. Miraval comes from the south of France and has the unique note of lemon - but just a zest. I love that there is more of a lemony finish to this one which is different from others on this list. There are the typical fruity notes as well but this wine also contains currants, another flavor that is unique and exciting.

The Palm/The Beach

Whispering Angel, $16

This was one of my favorites on a previous guide and this hasn’t changed. Although it appears they are going through a rebrand from The Palm to the Beach - or so my last bottle informed me. It did have the same delicious taste but had a surfboard and palm tree etched into the bottle. Something I found exciting, special, and perfectly summer. Whispering Angel is the core standard for rosé and this one is no different. It is dry, pairs well with just about anything, and has a smooth finish. I’d grab a bottle of this one any day of the week.

Sparkling Rosé Wine

Bev, $17

I was ecstatic when I saw my local Target finally had Bev cans and not just Bev cans but the Glam Sparkling Rosé. Before you stick your nose up to canned wine, let me tell you what a blessing it is. You can take it to the pool, the park, and just about anywhere where a giant wine bottle just wouldn’t be safe, or, you know, acceptable. This is by far one of the better canned sparkling rosés I’ve ever had. So if you’re in the market for a good canned sparkling wine, here ya go.

Cuvée Rosé

Laurent-Perrier, $100

Laurent-Perrier’s Cuvée rosé is touted as being the most recognized rosé champagne in the world. It has had the same incredible consistency and bottle inspired by King Henri IV for over 40 years. Since it is the benchmark for rosé champagne, it’s gotta be the go-to even if it’s on the pricier side. Of course, it’s well worth it for any important celebration. It has a gorgeous copper pink color with flavors of raspberry and mandarin oranges.

The Headliner Rosé

Press Play Wines, $8

This is one of my favorite budget-friendly rosés and the one you’ll be most likely to find in my fridge on a regular basis. It’s refreshing and delicious. I love the bottle design. It just encompasses the perfect summer day. It doesn’t have the best online reviews, but to be fair, not every opinion should be heard - not even mine. I enjoy their rosé and their pinot grigio so there are other options out there if this one isn’t your thing.