Summer’s Here—Think Pink!

Warmer weather signals the ascendancy of refreshing pink wines.

Imagine sitting out on your porch or patio with a delightfully refreshing glass of chilled rosé wine. Summer is the season for light, refreshing wines and what could be better than one of the new stylish rosé wines from boutique California wineries such as L’Aventure’s classy Rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon or Pietra Santa’s Rosato of Sangiovese, reviewed here? Bonny Doon makes a terrific Rhône rosé called Vin Gris de Cigare, as does Sanford in the Santa Rita Hills of Santa Barbara County.

While the dry rosé phenomenon exists in many places that wine is produced, it is Mediterranean France that actually dominates the category, with 50% of all French rosés coming from Provence, and between 60% and 75% (depending on the source of your information) of all Provençal wines being pink. Spain and Italy also get into the act, the Italians calling their pink wines Rosato.

Serious rosé can be produced by one of two methods: maceration or saignée (bleeding). Saignée is the preferred method of many California winemakers, as the process “bleeds off” the free-run juice for the rosé while concentrating the flavor and color components of the remaining must. Don’t confuse dry rosé wines with bulk-produced “blush” wine, which is made by simply blending together red and white wines of dubious provenance and quality.

So when you’re in the mood for some summer refreshment, give these wines a try. Here are a few French recommendations also, available at Woodland Hills Wine Company near Los Angeles and may be ordered online directly from their website:

Chateau Guiot Costières de Nîmes Rosé 2006 $8.99 This rosé, a blend of Grenache and Syrah, with a small dollop of Cinsault, is bursting with flavor and fruit.

Domaine de la Petite Cassagne Rosé 2006 $8.99 This blend is 60% Syrah, 35% Grenache, and 5% Mourvèdre.

Domaine des Corbillières Touraine Rosé 2006 $10.99 Very much like a Sancerre rosé, but costs about half as much.

Chateau de Puligny-Montrachet Bourgogne “Rosé de Pinot Noir” 2006 $14.99 This pale salmon-hued rosé, from grapes grown in and around Meursault and Volnay, is fresh and exuberant and eminently quaffable. Pink wines made from Pinot Noir are commonly called Vin Gris.