US rosé to beat the summer heat
As we enter the final stretch of summer the heat across the US shows no sign of subsiding and rosé is certainly on the minds and shopping lists of wine drinkers. Clive Pursehouse offers an array of pinks to pick from.
While different wine styles and market shares seem to have waxed and waned over the last few tumultuous years, no wine save sparkling has shown the resilience of rosé. From New York State to California, there are pink wines for every palate. While often cast as ‘porch pounders’, the level of rosé’s sophistication has risen over the last few years to make it well-suited for more refined meals and summer barbecues and, in a few cases, even worthy of ageing.
Scroll down to see notes and scores for 20 US rosé wines
A decade in pink
Rosé has had quite the decade. A global trend, not merely confined to Provence or the Instagram-savvy influencers of Brooklyn or Portland, Oregon, rosé has ruled and for quite some time. The high watermark for rosé tends to be seasonal, with sales increasing in the warmer months, and as a planet, we’re nothing if not warmer. Celebrities have launched their own rosé brands, from John Bon Jovi to Sarah Jessica Parker, and perhaps most famously, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s Miraval brand.
Pink wines have never been cooler, particularly as temperatures rise, and their market share and production growth have both been astronomical. No one makes or sells more rosé than the French of course. In a report from beverage industry data company Provi, the presence of Provence rosé in the US market increased by 7,100% (that is not a typo) from 2001 to 2016.
The sales of rosé have bucked all the wine trends in both still and sparkling categories. While younger generations may be turned off by some wines and are choosing alcoholic seltzer, they have not turned their backs on rosé. According to Provi, three of the top five wine growth categories are comprised of rosé.
Myriad styles
Stylistically, Americans have settled on dry rosé in the style of the wines of Provence after a long love affair with the sickly sweet White Zinfandel. However, style can vary within that range. Depending on how the wines are produced, they can appeal to a variety of drinkers. How a particular rosé is made will affect the texture, colour and the finished wine.
The three main methods of producing rosé wine are to make it via direct press, saignée, and – in a few cases – blending of red and white wines.
When rosé is made in the direct press method, red grapes are picked and crushed. The grape skins remain in contact with the juice until the desired level of colour is achieved. The grapes are typically harvested specifically to make rosé when made in this way.
The saignée method is a type of short maceration and the wine is actually a bi-product of red wine production. This involves bleeding a portion of pink-coloured juice out of a tank destined to make red wine. The juice has not been in contact with the grape skins for very long. It is typically very lightly coloured, depending on the grape variety and the desired hue of the finished rosé. In many cases, the remaining wine will go on to be made into red wine, though not necessarily always.
Sometimes rosés may use a small amount of red wine blended into a white wine. This approach is seen as non-traditional and more of a shortcut than a winemaking technique. Note that this method is not allowed in the majority of EU appellations (rosé Champagne is an important exception).
Below, find an array of rosés to choose from for all budgets.
20 US rosés to beat the heat
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Roederer Estate, L'ermitage, Mendocino County, Anderson Valley, California, USA, 2015
94
This effusively aromatic blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Roederer Estate is absolutely delightful. L’Ermitage, both Brut and Rosé is a special tête de cuvée. This sparkling wine is made only from pre-selected, estate-grown grapes in exceptional years—aromatics of pink cotton candy, ripe apricot flesh and red apple peel. The palate is exquisite and refined. Candied peach, blood orange and a touch of wet chalk to finish.
2015
Roederer EstateMendocino County
Ehlers Estate, Sylviane Rosé, Napa Valley, St Helena, California, USA, 2022
93
A rosé from St Helena that leans into a depth of fruit, from its slightly darker hue to a core of deep red berry fruits on the aromas, this Napa rosé shows plenty of cherry blossom and peach skin notes. The palate is lushly fruited and very fresh. Notes of strawberries and cream, grilled peach skin, and a deep core of red fruit lead to a finish touched by a savoury mint note.
2022
Ehlers EstateNapa Valley
Tablas Creek, Patelin de Tablas Rosé, Paso Robles, California, USA, 2022
93
A delicious pale pink rosé from the Paso Robles icons Tablas Creek. This blend is interesting, with Grenache leading the way, followed by Mourvèdre, Counoise and a surprising Vermentino. The Patelin de Tablas comes from 10 different vineyards but mainly Whalerock. The wine is fresh and zesty. It will drink well alone but has enough spine to be paired with grilled foods for the rest of the summer. Aromas of rhubarb, dandelion greens and cranberry, a lively palate with cut strawberries, crushed chalk, and a zippy finish marked by savoury green herbs.
2022
Tablas CreekPaso Robles
Anam Cara Cellars, Rosé of Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Chehalem Mountains, Oregon, USA, 2022
92
Made primarily from the Wadenswil clone, this Pinot Noir rosé has much to give. There is ample minerality, but the aromas are of sweet raspberry and early-season wild strawberries. The palate offers richness balanced with fresh berry fruit and a touch of savoury mint to finish. The mouthfeel balances a luxuriousness with a depth of fresh red berries.
2022
Anam Cara CellarsWillamette Valley
Big Table Farm, Laughing Pig Rosé, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA, 2022
92
A rosé of Pinot Noir that goes to 11. Robust, phenolic and hearty, this rosé is directly pressed and placed on top of whole berries, where it is left to soak and slowly ferment and gain colour before it is pressed and transferred to neutral barrels. Then it undergoes malolactic fermentation. The resulting wine offers plenty of spicy aromatics of white pepper, mint and wild green strawberries. The palate is a melange of savoury spice, currant and cranberry that finishes with notes of white pepper. Serve this chilled with steak, seriously.
2022
Big Table FarmWillamette Valley
Eleven Eleven, Rosé of Syrah, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley, California, USA, 2022
92
A rosé of Syrah that delivers on both freshness and depth of flavour. Rose petals, crushed stone and a dollop of raspberry mark the wine's aromatics. The palate has a touch of white pepper but luxuriates in fresh-cut berries, wild strawberries, raspberry and currant, offering a racy freshness marked by a touch of green savoury herbs to finish.
2022
Eleven ElevenSonoma County
Minus Tide, Carignan Rosé, Mendocino County, California, USA, 2022
92
A fuller-bodied rosé that balances a ripeness with fresh minerality and sweet fruit. This rosé is showy and perhaps fancies itself a Bandol. From vines planted in 1908, this pink shows aromas of watermelon jolly rancher, sweet cherry blossom florals and a note of sea breeze. The palate is complex and leans towards the opulent for a rosé. Bold flavours of sweet cherry cut watermelon and strawberry cream.
2022
Minus TideMendocino County
Sonoma-Cutrer, Rosé of Pinot Noir, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley, California, USA, 2022
A sustainably certified Sonoma Pinot Noir Rosé that is brilliantly bright with plenty of great texture. Aromas of cut strawberry, raspberry creme and freshly cut...
2022
Sonoma-CutrerSonoma County
Argyle, Rosé of Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA, 2022
91
The rosé of Pinot Noir from Argyle marries fresh, bright fruits with rich textures. Aromas of cedar plank, candied blood orange peel and white flowers announce this pretty pink-hued wine. The palate is lively yet lush, with peach skin, apricot and cut strawberry flavours leading into a mineral-rich finish,
2022
ArgyleWillamette Valley
Bella Union, Rosé Wine, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2022
91
Done in a riper style, this rosé is a blend of Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon made via saignee. It's got fresh berry aromatics with a hint of wet slate peeking through. The palate is ripe, redolent of cut strawberries and cream, and notes of sweet rhubarb backed with a tinge of savoury herb.
2022
Bella UnionNapa Valley
Goldeneye, Vin Gris of Pinot Noir, Mendocino County, Anderson Valley, California, USA, 2022
91
Fresh slate and candied mandarin aromatics emerge from this vin gris style rosé from Duckhorn's Anderson Valley Pinot producer. The palate shows tart strawberry followed on by candied blood orange peel, a touch of minerality and a finish marked by pure citrus.
2022
GoldeneyeMendocino County
Tablas Creek, Dianthus, Paso Robles, Adelaida District, California, USA, 2022
91
Two days of skin contact produces a hearty rosé with a depth of texture from the quintessential Paso producer—aromatics of herbs alongside bright citrus and stone and a hint of barley. The palate is lush, ripe and offers up plenty of savoury character to go along with its dwelling on cut strawberries and Rainier cherry flesh. Finishes with a touch of spiciness.
2022
Tablas CreekPaso Robles
Troon Vineyard, Kubli Bench Rosé, Southern Oregon, Applegate Valley, Oregon, USA, 2022
91
An undeniably tasty rosé that is so pale that it's not even pink but golden-hued. The aromatics are fresh-cut melons and white flowers, with lean minerality in the foreground. Fleshy grilled peach flavours, candied watermelon, and blood orange sherbert flavours make this a delicious surprise with a long minty finish.
2022
Troon VineyardSouthern Oregon
Mazza Vineyards, The Perfect Rosé, Pennsylvania, USA, 2022
90
A rosé of Chambourcin from the Pennsylvania shores of Lake Erie is undeniably delicious; there are no two ways about it, with aromas of sweet strawberries, fresh basil and wet chalk. The palate is lively and fresh. Sweet Rainier cherry flesh, early-season apricot and a kiss of fresh mint to finish. This rosé, from unexpected origins and grapes, will give you a reason to give Pennsylvania wines a second look.
2022
Mazza Vineyards
McCollum Heritage 91, Rosé, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA, 2022
90
A fresh and electric Pinot Noir rosé shows zip and lift with aromas of briny oyster shell minerality framing cut strawberry and a touch of mint. The palate is mouthwatering with zesty acid. Flavours of cut apricot, peach fuzz and strawberry cream finish with a minty zip.
2022
McCollum Heritage 91Willamette Valley
Pike Road, Pinot Noir Rosé, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA, 2022
90
Aromatics of sweet mandarin and apricot alongside a savoury note announce this rosé of Pinot Noir. The palate is fresh and red berry fruited but with ample spice, savoury hints and a lot more structure than you'd typically expect from wines of this style. As such, pair this with grilled meats; you'll find it well-suited.
2022
Pike RoadWillamette Valley
The Four Graces, Rosé of Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA, 2022
90
A lively pink Pinot Noir offering from The Four Graces shows the classic Willamette Valley rosé character of rhubarb aromatics alongside cut strawberries and a hint of seaspray. The palate is lithe, lively and energetic, offering racy cranberry relish, wild white strawberries and a sweet cherry finish.
2022
The Four GracesWillamette Valley
The Ordinary Fellow, Rosé Colorado Hawk's Nest Vineyard, Colorado, USA, 2022
90
This rosé from the Rocky Mountain state shows plenty of lean, electric character—aromas of cut watermelon and blood orange peel. The palate is zippy and zesty with green wild strawberries, sweet rhubarb and a touch of barley on the finish.
2022
The Ordinary Fellow
Two Shepherds, Pinot Gris Skin Fermented, Sonoma County, California, USA, 2022
89
With plenty of skin contact, this wine is billed as a ‘love child of orange wine and rosé; it opens with a reductive flintiness. It is made in honour of the winery's two Sicilian donkeys and offers a wildness worthy of the tribute. Notes of wild green strawberries and cheese rind mark the aromatics, with fleshy apricot, candied cherries and a grassy zest to finish.
2022
Two ShepherdsSonoma County
Acrobat, Rosé, Oregon, USA, 2022
88
Aromas of wet slate, crushed chalk and a whisper of strawberry. The palate is lean and lithe, fruit and minerality predominate with classic flavours of wild strawberry and rhubarb.
2022
Acrobat
