The 2019 Rosé Guide
We are inching closer to the unofficial end of summer. Labor Day is just a couple weeks away, but there is still time to enjoy a nice chilled glass of rosé. Well, unless you’re me and just choose to enjoy rosé year round. Last year for National Rosé Day I shared my favorite rosés as a guide, and this year someone had asked me to do it again. So why not?
Now, the same must be said: I am not a wine expert. I honestly just stand in Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, or Total Wine and just go for it. Sometimes I’m drawn to a bottle by the design or the color and sometimes I take in-store recommendations (i.e. the Alien wine from my Instagram stories last week). Some decisions obviously turn out better for me than others but that’s also part of the fun in liking rosé.
The expectations with rosé are fairly low. This is mainly because for a bottle to be good, it doesn’t have to be expensive. So buy branching out and just following my eyes I don’t have to feel compelled to finish something I really don’t like (although a majority of the time I will). Like I said, rosé isn’t just my summer drink but something I reach for constantly. It’s dry, it’s light, and I don’t have to mess with the anxiety that can come with looking at a wine list you really aren’t all the sure about.
So over the past few summer months I went about experimenting and trying tons of new types. Partly because of the request for this post and partly just to try new things. There is constantly new rosés flooding the market. I just tried a brand new one I’ve been spotting at Target for a few months now. But here are my 2019 recommendations thus far.
The Palm by Whispering Angel
It’s a known fact Whispering Angel is one of the most popular and highly rated rosés around. The Palm is fruity but not too fruity. I won’t lie I was drawn to the chic bottle covered in palm trees (very on brand, I know) and I was not disappointed.
SHOP
Summer Water
A repeat from last year, but a tried and true option. Summer Water is light, crisp, and the perfect warm weather wine. It even has tasting notes of those peach candy rings.
SHOP
Gerard Bertrand Cotes des Roses
This rosé is influenced by the sea and has a really cool glass cork. Their Mediterranean climate helps the grapes age in a healthy way so it’s not too dry or too fruity.
SHOP
Bota Box
Hear me out. Boxed wine can actually be good. This dry wine can be transported to the beach or a BBQ. It’s a millennial favorite and comes in an eco-friendly box. It claims to even stay fresh up to 30 days and has notes of strawberry cake!
SHOP
La Promenade
This rosé was in high demand, and nearly always gone from my Trader Joe’s. This rosé is crisp and fruit forward with hints of red berries and citrus.
De Mont Coteaux Varois en Provence Rosé
This is my favorite I’ve tried this summer. I have only found it in two Trader Joe’s. It is made with organic grapes and is well balanced for the price. It has heavy notes of apricot and is absolutely delcious.
SHOP
rosé pairings
Just like not being a wine expert, I’m also not a wine pairing expert. I tend to just enjoy whatever meats, cheeses, and fruit I have laying around. Same goes for meals. Although many of the bottles do have food recommendations on them. Everything from seafood and pasta to soft cheese and salads. That said, I’m more of a snacker. I like to come home have a little snack and glass of wine. So here’s a few things I try to reach for when I’m stocking up on rosé at the market.
Baguette bread (the fresher the better!)
Aged cheddar cheese
Gorgonzola cheese
Brie
Trader Joe’s honey goat cheese
Strawberries
Green grapes
Proscuitto
Sopressata