Finding Great Rosé Wines
Finding the best Rosé wines is tougher than it's ever been. Rosé wine is incredibly popular now for both serious wine lovers and the casual wine drinker. This is a relatively new, but welcome, trend in the United States. Europeans, especially the French, have always turned to Rosé when temperatures climb and the beach calls.
In the US, Rosé was looked down upon because of the association with cloying White Zinfandels. All of that has changed though. Today, many wineries are crafting beautifully drinkable pink wines that are dry and complex.
Before we get to our list of the best Rosé wines, here are a few things you should know about drinking the pink stuff.
How Long Can Rosé Wines Age
Rosé wines meant to be enjoyed soon after production. Rosé wines can age for up to two years in the right conditions, but we suggest you plan to drink your Rosé within six months. There are some exceptions to this rule.
If you are intent on buying a Rosé that will age a little more gracefully, consider purchasing Rosé from Bandol. We list a few of these below. These wines are made from Mouvedre grapes. These powerful grapes bring along some tannic punch. Please note that Bandol Rosé tends to be more expensive.
How Long Is Rosé Wine Still Good After Opening
Rosé wine will continue to taste fresh for two days after you open it. That's assuming you cap or cork it tightly and keep it in a dark cold place. After a few days, the wine will lose its fresh, fruity, and acidic sparkle.
[Click on this link if you are curious about how rosé is made.]
We decided to round up lots of bottles and pick 12 that will make this a memorable summer. When you have the best Rosé wines chilling in the wine fridge, you are always prepared for a trip to the beach or a last-minute socially distanced cookout.
Heads up: Our posts may contain affiliate links. If you click through and purchase we receive a small fee. That helps us keep the lights on! Thanks.
The 12 Best Rosé Wines To Buy Right Now
Domaine Tempier Bandol Rosé
One of the most legendary and well-respected rosés out there, Domaine Tempier comes from the Bandol region in Provence. The Domaine also makes a stunning red and white wine, but the region is known for rosé—a fact reflected in this world-class example. Hand-harvested grapes from 20+-year-old vines provide structure, and the wine is aged for 8 months before bottling to bring out the complex flavors.
The best rosé wines from Provence are selling at a premium these days, so don't be shocked by the price. Demand is driving the cost per bottle up as the thirst for rosé makes what was once a summer wine into a year-round habit.
Cep Vineyards Hopkins Ranch Rose, Russian River Valley
Cep is the “second label” of the ultra-premium estate Peay Vineyards. Their Russian River rosés are super-drinkable, fresh, yet complex and balanced, this is one of our favorite summertime rosés. Rosewater, sweet orange, and watermelon flavors lead into a refreshingly dry finish. Produced in very small quantities using Pinot Nori grapes so buy what you can get your hands on! This is certainly one of the best Rosé wines to buy right now.
Follow this link to order.
Winc Summer Water, Napa
This may be the perfect summer sipper. Winc partnered with Yes Way Rosé to create a beverage that is now synonymous with summer, beaches, and barbecues on the west coast. The goal was to create a dry and crisp wine that captures the spirit of the Rosé of Provence. Each mouthful of the wine will refresh you with subtle flavors of strawberry, grapefruit, and white peach. This is such a popular Rosé wine, it has its own exclusive club called the Summer Water Society.
Join WINC and sip your way through summer with Summer Water | Click here to save
VieVité Extraordinaire Rosé, Côtes de Provence
Another classic Provence rosé, the first thing that strikes you about this wine is the attractive and unique shape of the bottle. Once inside, the juice does not disappoint. VieVité makes some of the best rosé wines in the world; a regular bottling and a high-end rosé called “Extraordinaire”.
Predominantly made from 80-year-old Grenache vines, the Extraordinaire provides a lush creamy texture with a hint of spice; a rosé that can complement any meal.
Like the other Provence origin rosés on this list, you can expect to pay a little premium for this wine.
Want to see if this is available? Click here
Château d’Aquéria Tavel Rosé
We think of Tavel as the “red wine drinkers rosé”. While Tavel produces only rosé wines, the wines tend to be richly colored; the concentrated cherry tones stand in stark contrast to the delicate Provençal roses made right next door. Tavel rosés have a characteristic “meaty” flavor and texture and an earthy quality that makes them brilliant with mushroom and game dishes.
Want your own bottle? Click here
Musar Jeune Rosé
Chances are you’ve never had a Lebanese wine. This rose from the country’s famed Chateau Musar would be a good place to start. Made from Cinsault and Mourvèdre grapes grown at high elevation in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, the wine is dry but with a sweet almond note that rounds out the palate, complemented by tart pomegranate and rhubarb.
Some drinkers find the acidity a bit bracing. It is definitely worth a try for adventurous wine drinkers. You can order a bottle by clicking here.
Cirelli Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo Rosato, Abruzzo, Italy
Another unique rosé for the adventurous type, “Cerasuolo” means “cherry-colored” in Italian and refers to the dark, rich color of this style of rosé. In Abruzzo, the Montepulciano grape reigns--and creates a richly textured rosé. The Cerullis finish theirs off by aging in terracotta amphorae—adding a dusty, earthy complexity to the wine. The wine has no tannins to speak of, but it does feature a strong acidity backbone that is very refreshing.
Ameztoi Rubentis Rosado, Getariako Txakolina, Spain
Hailing from the Basque country, Txakoli (pronounced CHAH-koh-lee) whites and roses are the unsung heroes of summer wine. Made from native grapes Hondarabbi Zuri and Hondarabbi Beltza, this citrusy rose is made even more refreshing by its light spritziness.
AnticaTerra Angelicall Rosé, Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon
The ultimate goal for the Alchemist, the Angelicall Stone is known as the Food of the Angels and cannot be seen or felt—only tasted. This rosé aims to be the ultimate in the alchemy of winemaking. Extended maceration on the skins to withdraw plenty of aromatics is followed by a year of aging on the lees to ensure complexity and creamy texture. An incredible example of Pinot Noir Rosé.
This is one of those wines you want to buy in quantity when it's available. Antica Terra winery distributes wines via allocations to members and through some retail outlets. The wines never last very long, so you can try to get on their waitlist or check with wine.com or vivino.com to see if this is available.
Couly-Dutheil Chinon Rosé
A savory and unique rose, the Couly-Dutheil hails from the Loire Valley, France; specifically the Chinon region. Chinon is known for its red wines made from Cabernet Franc, of which Couly-Dutheil also makes classic examples—but this rosé is a standout. All the qualities of Cab Franc—raspberries, herbs—with a hint of tannin and a strong minerality make this a unique and food-friendly rose.
Terra Sancta Estate Pinot Noir Rosé, Central Otago, New Zealand
It is no secret that today many of the world’s best Pinot Noirs are coming out of Central Otago, New Zealand. In addition to their red Pinots, Terra Sancta makes this gorgeous rosé. Far from an afterthought, the grapes for this rose are carefully selected from two individual blocks specifically for the rosé style. Delicate and perfumed, this wine screams summer.
Principal Rose Tête de Cuvée, Biarrada, Portugal
Portuguese wine is more than just sweet, fortified port! It is time dry Portuguese wines get their due, and this rosé from the Bairrada region should help that cause. Made from the first-press juice of Pinot Noir grapes pressed in a Coquard Champagne press, this is not your typical cherry-hued rosé: the color is a pale salmon-beige and the food-friendly palate has a savory, saline streak. We are confident you will agree that this is one of the best rosé wines to buy right now.
Rosé Madness Continues
Demand for the best Rosé wines continues to skyrocket. A few years ago, the boom in pink wine sales was looked at as a passing fad outside of France. Now we know that this is much more than a flash in the pan.
Consumers around the world have found a place for Rosé on their dinner tables, in their picnic baskets, and inside their beach bags. That means prices for the very best Rosé wines remain elevated. We will continue to search for value within this popular category, but the days of bargain-basement Rosé appear to be in the past.
Leave a Reply