Masters Choose Their Favorite Rosé Wines from Around the World
From Greece, Spain, California, France, New Zealand: Celebrate a “Wine for all Seasons”
Dry rosé wines are produced around the world in many of the world’s wine regions using countless varieties of red grapes. Rosé wines have been the fastest growing category (in addition to Prosecco) of wine consumption in the last few years. Many used to think that rosé was just a Spring/Summer wine. But it is now recognized as a “wine for all seasons.”
What is not to like? Savoring the flavors and aromas of red grapes in a chilled glass on a beautiful patio is my idea of a great happy hour! A few years ago, I asked some of my favorite “Masters” and wine experts to weigh-in on the most delicious dry rosé wines made in the prettiest vineyard settings around the world. Here are a few wines from around the world that some of my favorite experts (and I) recommend. Add these wineries and beautiful wine regions to your travel bucket list as well.
Catherine Fallis, MS Selects New Zealand’s Babich Rosé, Marlborough:
Master Sommelier, Catherine Fallis selects the Babich Rosé for the dry, subtle and crisp notes of lime, strawberry, peach skin, and white roses.
Catherine Fallis, MS, one of the first women Master Somm’s in the US, “I love this winery and this rosé.”
The rosé is made with Pinot Noir grapes. The vineyards are located at the top of the South Island in New Zealand. Marlborough’s vineyards are recognized as New Zealand’s largest wine growing region. The Babich winery/cellar door tasting room is located in the Henderson Valley just west of Auckland. Picnic here or enjoy a cheese platter with your wine in this stunning setting.
2021 Babich Pinot Noir Rosé Marlborough, New Zealand $22
CamDouglas, 91 Points
Doug Frost, MS, MW Selects Lopes de Heredia in Spain’s Rioja Region
Doug Frost, MS, MW, one of America’s few dual Master Sommeliers and Master of Wine (one of only four in the world.) He says, “my favorite rosé comes from Lopez de Heredia: their rosés are complex, even profound. And Maria-Jose's family winery is a paragon of 19th century Spanish architectural glory.”
This winery is located in La Rioja, Spain. The rosé is made in a traditional Spanish style with Tempranillo, Garnacha, and Viura grapes. Stay nearby at the Hotel Marqués de Riscal, Elciego, Spain (a luxury Frank Gehry-designed hotel) just 25 minutes away.
2009 R. Lopez de Heredia Gran Reserva Rosado Rioja, Spain $200
Robert Parker, 96 Points
Celebrated Winemaker, Celia Welch, Selects Lorenza Wine
Celia Welch, the celebrated winemaker of ultra-premium Napa Cabernets like Scarecrow, Corra, and Keever wines selects Lorenza Rosé. A graduate of the UC Davis Viticulture and Enology Department, Celia was named Winemaker of the Year by Food and Wine Magazine. I consider Celia Welch a friend, and have interviewed her for several articles including the one for Somm Magazine announcing the Scarecrow Wines “2014 Scarecrow Toto’s Opium Dream Scene 4 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon” winning the top bid at 2017 Premiere Napa Wine Auction, “Going, Going, Gone! Rare Lots Draw Repeat Buyers to Premiere Napa Valley.” Those extraordinary five cases of Scarecrow sold for the highest 2017 auction price of $200,000.
Celia Welch notes, “My favorite Rose is Lorenza by Melinda Kearney and her daughter Michelle Ouelette. It is absolutely delicious, and Mindy is a gem of a person. I keep a case in my wine storage unit and a bottle in my refrigerator at all times.”
The Lorenza Rosé is made with Grenache, Carignan, Mourvedre, and Cinsault grapes, some are over 100 years old located just outside Lodi and Oakley, California. The wine features aromas of flower petals and lemons, and has flavors or white peach, bright citrus, and jicama.
Lorenza Rosé 2020 $25
Wilfred Wong of wine.com, 92 Points.
Dr. Liz Thach, MW, Selects a Quintessential Rosé region: Provence and Domaine Tempier
Liz Thach, Master of Wine, is a freelance writer and wine market consultant. She was the 7th woman in the USA to become a Master of Wine and the first in California. She has taught management and wine business classes in the MBA programs at Sonoma State University.
Says Dr. Liz Thach, MW, “One of my favorite Rosés is made in a beautiful winery, Domaine Tempier, Bandol Rosé from Provence, France. My husband and I visited here several years ago when we were celebrating a wedding anniversary in the town of Bandol along the Mediterranean.
Domaine Tempier, established in 1834, is located about 10 minutes north of the town in the hills. The vineyards are nestled around the beautiful old peach colored French farmhouse adorned with pale blue shutters. We were greeted there with warm hospitality. We toured through the vineyards and cellars, and then had a fabulous tasting of their famous rosé, as well as their celebrated red wines. It is a very special memory of tasting a salmon-pink wine in a peach-colored Domaine.”
Domaine Tempier Bandol Rosé, Provence France $39
Wine-searcher, 90 Points
Dr. Terry Lease Professor, Cal Poly, Department of Wine and Viticulture, Choses Martin Ray Vineyards
Dr. Terry Lease, DipWSET®, loves the rosé wines of Sonoma County. Dr. Lease is professor in the Wine and Viticulture Department at California Polytechnic State University, who previously oversaw academic programs at the Wine Business Institute at Sonoma State University. He and I graduated with our WSET® Diploma of Wine in the same group in 2018, and maintain and enjoy our monthly wine-tasting group.
Says Terry, “Sonoma County has many beautiful and interesting wineries, and so many of them produce an enjoyable rosé, it is difficult to go wrong. Martin Ray Vineyards and Winery is in beautiful setting, and they produce an easy-to-drink, yet refined rosé of Pinot Noir. With some advanced planning, you may enjoy lunch or a cheese and charcuterie pairing at the winery,”
Martin Ray Rosé of Pinot Noir 2020 $19
James Suckling, 91 Points
Konstantinos Lazarakis, MW Picks Greece Winery Kyros Melas’ La Tour Melas
Greece’s celebrated Master of Wine, Konstantinos Lazarakis, loves the La Tour Melas Idylle Rosé from La Tour Melas located in Achinos, Greece.
Says Konstantinos Lazarakis, MW, “The winemaker, Panos Zouboulis, who studied in Bordeaux, makes the rosé with Grenache Noir, Agiorgitiko (a red grape native to Greece), and Syrah. Located near the Aegean Sea, the vineyards enjoy evening breezes which cool the vines making for an ideal microclimate. The vignerons use biodynamic principles of agriculture and handpick their crop. The rosé wine is a light salmon color, and has aromas of grapefruit, pepper, and peach which pairs well with summer dishes.”
2021 La Tour Melas Idylle Rosé $15
Vivino, 4.4 rating
Tricia Conover, DipWSET®, Editor, Wine Wanderings Selects Chateau d’Esclans Garrus Rosé
“I was invited to a Dallas wine-tasting hosted by Wines of Provence a few years ago. And I thought, ‘how can a Rosé be so great that it costs close to $100?’ I was wrong. Garrus by Chateau d’Esclans blew me away…elegant, complex, rich. The Chateau d’Esclans family of wines including the popular Whispering Angel. Les Clans, Rock Angel, and Garrus are all impressive. I plan to visit them in Provence this year. Stay tuned.”
See the Chateau d’Esclans photo above. This is a magical property located in the heart of Provence, northeast of St. Tropez.
Chateau d’Esclans Garrus Rosé 2019 $100
Decanter Magazine, 96 Points
Select your favorite rosé and welcome the spring and summer in style remembering that rosé wines are also a perfect pairing at Thanksgiving and all the winter holidays. Better yet, travel to one of these picturesque wineries, savor the scenery, and toast a well-made rosé wine.
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