National Rosé Day 2019: Let’s Celebrate Rosé Wine

It is time to celebrate the ever-popular Rosé because Saturday is National Rosé Day 2019. Today Rosé wine is a category unto itself. We find so many styles, colors ranging from light pink, coral, salmon to dark pink, and character. Some Rosés can be light and elegant, while others are big with more gusto. Whatever your preference, the pink wines deserve to be savored.

Today’s winemakers create Rosé wine from numerous varietals. If the Rosé is from France, it might be Carignan, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvédra, or Pinot Noir. If it comes from Italy, it might be Sangiovese, Barbera, or an ingenious variety. From Spain, it might be Garnache, Tempranillo, and from California, it can be any of the above, but also include Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and Zinfandel. The palette of colors and creativity with these varieties is expansive and enhances the experience.

In addition, the method chosen by the winemaker to create the Rosé plays a considerable role in the outcome of the wine.

With the Maceration Method, red grapes are left with skins to soak in their juice for a period of time. Often with this method, the grapes are grown specifically for Rosé wine.

Direct Press is a process similar to making white wine where the grapes are pressed right away, and the skins then removed. Because the pigment lies in the skin, a bit of color remains in the juice. This method often produces the lightest colored Rosé.

Saignée Method is also known as the bled-off technique. During the process of making red wine, some of the juice is bled off to make Rosé wine.

The blending Method occurs when a small portion of red grapes is added to white wine. Champagne and sparkling wines typically utilize this method.

National Rosé Day 2019 Wine Suggestions

Here are some options for you to choose from for National Rosé Day 2019. My suggestions take us to France, Italy, Spain, and Paso Robles. There are many more great Rosés, but these are my picks for the 2019 year.

French Rosé

Ferraton Père & Fils Côtes du Rhône Samorëns Rosé 2018 consists of a blend of mostly Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault. I found this Southern Rhône a lively, bright Rosé that makes a fun summer wine. With aromas of cherry and flavors of cherry and raspberry with a little spice on the finish due to the minerality makes this a very fruity wine.

Miraval Provence 2018 emphasizes Cinsault as its primary varietal with Grenache, Syrah, and a touch of Rolle (white variety). I found this Rosé is best with food. On the nose, savory herbs dominate, while on the palate, I found apricot flavors. This wine is a very light elegant refreshing Rosé.

Famille Perrin Reserve Côtes du Rhône Rosé 2018 blends Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvédre, and Syrah to create a delicate yet elegant wine. Utilizing the saignée method, this Southern Rhône wine has aromas and flavors of cherry and stone fruit with minerality on the finish, giving the wine saline qualities.

Côte Mas Rosé Aurore 2018 combines Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah from the Pays d’Oc area. The Côte Mas has one of my favorite Rosé labels, making the Rosé even more inviting. I describe this summer wine as a spritzer without the seltzer. On the nose, I found citrus and cherry. On the palate, these same flavors dominated the wine with the added flavor of candied fruit.

Italian Rosé

Pasqua 11 Minutes Rosé Tre Venezie IGT 2018 blends Corvina, Trebbiano, Syrah, and Carménère to create a fresh and refreshing summer wine. The wine has an Italian white wine quality to it, which is sensed by the Rosé’s pale pink light hue. The wine displays florals, citrus, and grapefruit, while on the palate, I found a nice acidity and flavors of stone fruit and summer berries. Pasqua’s name, 11 Minutes, derives from the eleven minutes of time the skins stay in contact with the juice.

Erse Etna Rosé 2018 blends Nerello Mascalese with Nerello Cappuccio. This Sicilian wine has aromas of strawberry, while on the palate, I found flavors of tart raspberry and strawberry. The wine, with its Picasso-like label, exhibits itself as a very dry wine and comes across bolder and almost with a more masculine quality than most Rosés.

Spanish Rosé

Beronia Rosé 2018 consists of Garnacha and Tempranillo to bring for a refreshing wine with a sharp, spicy finish. I found Strawberry and peach on both the nose and palate.

Paso Robles Rosé

Two wines from Tablas Creek Vineyards represent my picks from the Paso Robles AVA. Although very different in styles, each shows the versatility of methods and varieties produced in Paso Robles. One Rosé leans towards a Southern Rhône style, while the other reflects the Provence region.

Patelin De Tablas Rosé 2018 blends mostly Grenache with Mourvédre and Counoise from nine vineyards in Paso Robles. These vineyards represent the Adelaida District, Templeton Gap El Pomar, and the Creston area. I found this Rosé more elegant with the typical subtleties of Provence. With some sea spray on the nose and citrus, stone fruit, and a briny minerality on the finish, this wine evokes the Provence style of winemaking. Even the pale color is reminiscent of Provence.

Dianthus 2018 showcases the Southern Rhône style of winemaking. A blend of primarily Mourvédre with Grenache and Counoise, the wine expounds on the California style of creating Rosé. While the aromas of cherry and flavors of strawberries delivers a delicious wine accented by spices. The name Dianthus refers to a pink flower plant and ideally describes the bright pink color of this wine.

Common to the wine industry, this writer received hosted wine samples for National Rosé Day 2019. While it has not influenced this review, the writer believes in full disclosure.