My 2023 Rosé Guide
Welcome to the 2023 Rosé Guide. My annual guide of all the best rosés to enjoy over the dog days of summer. Anyone who knows me or has read this blog for any amount of time knows I’m basically the Queen of Rosé. If there is a rosé, I’m gonna try it. Rosé is the unofficial drink of summer despite however many cocktails people try to make happen year after year. There is nothing quite like a perfectly chilled glass on a super hot day. Some days it feels like it can be so invigorating it can snap one back to life.
When it comes to rosé, the grape makes most of the difference. Red grapes give it a fuller body than whites. Rosé has been considered a cheap option for quite awhile, but the quality of rosé has been increased significantly over the years. There are a wide range of hues and flavors that go with all different sorts of palettes and food pairings on the shelves these days. Provence remains the king of rosés but there are plenty of other regions from Argentina to Sicily that are routinely churning out fragrant, delicious wines year after year. If you’re looking for the right poolside, rooftop, deck, patio, lake, summer afternoon wine, look no further.
Jour Un Rose
A crisp, light-bodied dry rosé from a small village in the South of France. Benefiting from a sunny Mediterranean climate, there are notes of strawberry, blackberry, and watermelon. The perfect match for spiced dishes and warm afternoons. Plus, the bottle aesthetic is on. point.
Oriane by Gerard Bertrand
Another delicious wine from the renowned winemaker hailing from the South of France. Made with Grenache, an iconic Mediterranean varietal, this wine has crisp fruit flavors, hints of blossom, and a tiny touch of mineral. It’s a classic food-friendly rosé begging for a nice afternoon outside. Plus, another bottle aesthetic on point.
Avaline
My favorite organic wine that isn’t too sweet or bitter. This mixture of grenache, cinsault, caladoc, syrah, and cabernet sauvignon goes down extra smooth and is a real crowd-pleaser. This light and fresh wine has notes of melon and goes great with spicy foods - especially tacos.
Wolffer Estate Vineyard Rosé
This rosé is a blend of merlot and cabernet with a nice acidity that balances fairly well. It has a juiciness with notes of strawberries and peaches with just a hint of minerals. The perfect wine for a beach day - if you have one nearby that is.
Pasqua Y by 11 Minutes
Pasqua Y is a fresh rosé that appears to be more of a white wine. It is actually made of red and white organically grown grapes from Italy. And while looking up notes for this guide, I learned it recently won a medal for best rosé in the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles competition. It is a rich and fruity blend that pairs best with cheese. Need I say more?
Caduceus Cellars Lei Li Nebbiolo Rosé
I picked this one up after visiting their tasting room in Jerome. The grapes are locally grown in Arizona and the desert climate gives the wine a unique and delicious flavor. This rosé was one of my favorites with notes of more tropical fruits and even hints of lime. One of the more pricer wines on the list, but well worth it.
L’un des sense rose d’angiou
This French rosé has a balance of minerals and red fruits like raspberries. It is darker than many of the rosés here meaning it is has a bit more body than the others. It has a crisp finish and pairs will with salads - or pie…from what I hear.
Vanderpump Rosé
If you know, you know….but no really. When this wine is chilled to perfection it is absolutely sensational. And after Scandoval it apparently is hard to come by. There are hints of red currants, sweet citrus, and even pepper. The notes of strawberry, tangerine, and peach are perfect summer and it goes best with signature goat cheese balls - of course.
Los Milics
Another Arizona entry into the rosé guide this year comes from Ita, and is a wine I picked up at a local tasting. The grapes for this wine were grown specifically to make rosé and it was created in such a way through pressing that is refreshing, light, and could be drank on a daily basis. The notes of citrus and raspberry bring this rosé to life. If you try this one, be sure to drink it absolutely chilled.
Besa Mi Vino’s All Day Rosé
The first and only canned wine entry on this year’s guide is Besa Mi Vino’s. Canned wine lets you enjoy wine all the places you don’t really want to be carting around glasses and a corkscrew. All Day Rosé is an organic option that is sugar-free and uses a low level of sulfites that results in a cleaner tasting wine. It has all the usual tasting notes of strawberries and raspberries but also a hint of herbs. 3 cans equate to 1 bottle of wine, so while the packs may be a bit pricey, the 12-pack it comes in is like buying 4 bottles of wine in total.
Chateau d’Estoublon’s Roseblood
Roseblood is a pale rosé from the South of France. It is a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, and Tibouren varietals. It is crisp and fresh with notes of pomegranate and apricot. It is full of flavor and balanced with just the right amount of minerals. It has all the appeal of the iconic Whispering Angel including the same price point, but is made with Organic Grapes.
Hampton Water
Hampton Water is slowly becoming a classic summer rosé in my house. This dry rosé has notes of grapefruit, stone fruits, and honeydew, and is very crisp. Hampton Water is fruity, floral, and made in France. Yes, it is Bon Jovi’s wine, but once you get past one of the original celebrity wines, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. He worked with winemakers to ensure the quality is well put together just like a piece of music. If you don’t believe me, it’s made a Top 100 list or two since its launch.
Invivo x SJP
Another celebrity wine has entered the chat. This time it’s yet another 80s icon: Sarah Jessica Parker. I scooped this one up at Total Wine on a whim, and I was not disappointed. This rosé is fresh and vibrant with notes of fruits like strawberries and hints of rose petals and herbs.
Pedroncelli Winery Bushnell Vineyard Rosé
The grapes for this choice are sourced from the vineyard the family has been working on since 1940. The wine has hints of raspberry and florals while it tastes of strawberries. This well balanced wine has the ability to draw you in and keep you wanting more.
Olema Reserve
I picked this one up on the recommendation of the wine shop employee and I was pleasantly surprised. This rosé is a usual salmon pink color with traditional hints of watermelon and strawberries. It is light-bodied and a bit tart. Almost like candies or peaches which is one of the things I loved about it.
