Fabulous that the latest LCBO Vintages release features varietals from Oregon, Washington and Germany, yet I have chosen to focus on finding the best Rosés to highlight in this blog.
Warm weather is pushing the gauge on the thermometer higher every day. Nothing sends a more summer-like message than pulling out a chilled bottle of pink from the fridge or picnic cooler.
In this release, powerful, playful, pretty, punchy pinks are yours for the picking at GREAT value. (How is that for alliteration?) Upon entry to any LCBO, your eye cannot help but being drawn to the beautiful rainbow of pinks on the shelves.
A provocative patio sipper, Rosé is also a great food match with anything from salads to fish to tacos and some, like the Serbal Malbec Rosé (below) will stand up to burgers and steak. How versatile is that?
I can’t wait to line up this eye-candy on my kitchen counter (and in my fridge too!).
Passionate about pink 
Julie
DO Catalunya, Torres, Spain
$13.95 (Vintages #490920) 12.5 % alcohol
Pale coral in colour, floral aromas, this wine is made with the Garnacha Tinto grape – the most heavily grown in the Mediterranean. Rosé is also known as Rosado in Spain and Portugal too. On the palate, ripe cherries burst with acidity leaving a tangy lime tangerine in the finish. Clean, refreshing and crisp….and a great price too!
Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia
$15.95 (Vintages #408476) 13.5% alcohol
Aromas of red roses, pale pinkish with a hint of tangerine in colour. The flavours are lush and tart. Medium-weight, rhubarb galore with ripe strawberries weaving their way on the palate and fruity finish.
Featherstone Estate Winery Rosé 2015VQA Niagara Peninsula
$15.95 (Vintages #117861) 13.2% alcohol
It is hard not to write about Featherstone’s Rosé every year. I confess to being a huge fan of all of their wines. Deep cranberry in colour, vegetal and mineral aromas that open to ripe red berriess on the palate. There’s some sour cherry at the end which makes it crisp and just plain de-e-e-e-licious.
Mendoza, Chile
$16.95 (Vintages #493031) 13% alcohol
The Atamisque Winery, maker of the Serbal line of wines, is located in the foothills of the Andes Mountain range. The winery also takes its name from the Serbal aboriginal bush. Bright ruby red, the Rosé wine literally glistens in the glass. Sour cherries and savoury spice explode in the taste buds with a noticeable seam of acidity. Add to this an interesting hint of black pepper. Bone dry and chewy for a Rosé, but packs full-bodied red fruit on the palate and the lengthy fruity finish.
Château de Berne Terres Rosé 2016AC Côtes de Provence, France
$17.95 (Vintages #278861) 13% alcohol
I did not get a chance to taste this Rosé, but I have no difficulty recommending it & putting it in my shopping basket. Rosé wine was born in Provence and todate, it accounts for half to almost two thirds of all wine produced in the region. It’s also a classic blend of Cinsault and Grenache which offers raspberry, strawberry and red currant flavours. The rosés of Provence are often known for their food pairing matches with local Mediterranean cuisine. You just can’t go wrong.
Brancaia Rosé 2016IGT Rosato Toscana, Italy
$19.95 (Vintages #490953) 13 % alcohol
Aromas of violets and ripe red berries that come from the Merlot grape flow through on the palate leaving a delicious seam of acidity on the finish. Aged in stainless steel, yet there’s creamy crispness to red juicy fruit. Perfect for happy hour or any hour for that matter.
Check out the drone flight over the Brancaia Wine Estate, if you’re interested in a trip to Tuscany – if only for a few minutes!
