The beginning of summer is just around the corner and the 2015 rosé season is now in full swing. As I do every year, I have been happily tasting and drinking my way through a wide assortment of new rosés. Here is what I had to say in my first article on 2015 rosés: As the spring season marches along the 2015 rosés are leading the wine parade. From a very small beginning not that many years ago, rosés have soared in popularity. Over these years The Underground has been a leader in the rosé wine parade. And, just as it does every year, the parade will continue for the next several months through the summer and into the fall.  Then the music stops. The inflow of wines will stop and all across the wine distribution channel everyone will be looking to clear out inventory to wait for the 2016s to begin to arrive early next year. This never changes. But, all through the calendar year there are opportunities for consumers. This is especially true since the popularity of rosé continues to increase each year with more and more different wines available here in increasing quantity. (To read the entire article including links to previous articles on rosés and links to all articles on the 2014 rosés click here).

The 2015 rosés seem to be especially elegant and refined this year and the colors of many seem especially light. And, as is the case every year, there are many wonderful wines in a price range from under $10 per bottle to $40 per bottle with most in the under $20 range. So, in addition to being delicious and extremely food friendly, the wines are very affordable (to read more about this click on the following articles:

Rosé is the Perfect Anti-Wine  
For the Love of Rosés  

And, as I have said before…for the many years that I have been drinking rosés, there has never been a vintage that did not produce an abundance of delicious wines. So, if you have not already started buying and enjoying the lovely 2015 rosés, there is no time like the present. Below are notes on 2015 rosés from all over the world. Included are many old favorites and many new ones. There is something here for everyone! Bonne dégustacion!!

CALIFORNIA

In recent years California dry rosé has come out of the closet. For years rosé from California meant White Zinfandel which is an inexpensive insipid sweet wine that bears no resemblance to great dry rosés. Now in each year there are more and more dry rosés made in California. But, many are not that interesting and many are over-priced relative to many of the rosés from Europe. However, I always try a few each year, although I do not find too many that I can recommend. Over time, I would expect to find a larger number of higher quality rosé offerings from California. But, for now, there are not that many.

Bedrock Wine Company Ode to Lulu Old Vine Rosé Wine California
Consistently this is one of the very best rosés made in California. The Bedrock Wine Company owner and winemaker, Morgan Twain-Peterson, makes the wine to pay homage to Lulu Peyraud of Domaine Tempier fame. Lulu celebrated her 98^th birthday last December. She is an amazing woman and Domaine Tempier is, year in and year out, one of the very best rosés in the world. The fruit for this Ode to Lulu rosé is sourced from California old vine Mediterranean grape varieties such as Mourvèdre, Carignan, and Grenache. And, this 2015 Ode to Lulu rosé is again outstanding.
The wine has a very light salmon pink color and a lovely floral perfume with tinges of peach, citrus, and fresh herbs. Beautifully balanced and flavorful and refined, this rosé has nuances of strawberry, peach, and citrus with floral/herbal nuances. It exudes charm and is delicious and very easy to drink – Outstanding.    $18.95   

2015 Brick& Mortar Rosé of Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
With a light reddish pink color and a faint golden hue this rosé has a subtle berry tinged perfume. On the palate it carries through with delicate berry fruit and is bright and crisp with a citrus tinge – Recommended Plus.    $19.98

FRANCE
France is the world leader in the production of rosés. Here you will find many of the greatest roses as well as many great values. Increasingly they are coming from many areas, but the leading area by far is Provence.

Alsace
Alsace is located on France’s eastern border adjacent to Germany and Switzerland. Because of the historical Germanic influence it is the only area in France where wines are mostly known by their varietal name. Some 90% of the areas production is white wine mostly Riesling and Gewürztraminer. There is also some Pinot Noir and Rosé. Alsatian Rosés are not well known but are worth seeking out.

2015 Domaine Saint-Rémy-Ehrhart Rosé d’Alsace
The Domaine Ehrhart was founded in 1725 in the small village of Wettolsheim. This lovely rosé is made from Pinot Noir and shows a lot of style and complexity. It is pale golden orange red in color and has a lovely floral perfume with hints of melon, a tinge of spice, and a faint exotic nuance. Rounded, lush, and supple with a gorgeous mélange of fruits suggesting melon, lychee, and strawberry this is an irresistible rosé – Outstanding.     $18.79     Robert Kacher Selections Imported by DSWS New York, NY

Beaujolais
In recent years we are seeing more rosés from Beaujolais and as you would expect the wines are defined by delicacy and finesse.

2015 Château Thivin Beaujolais Villages Rosé
Made from grapes grown on a small parcel of 50 year old Gamay vines this rosé has a pale reddish orange color with a golden hue and a subtle perfume with faint hints of floral spice and strawberry. On the palate, it has lovely very pure fruit with strawberry nuances and a delicate floral tinge. This is a very pretty rosé with lots of finesse and charm – Highly Recommended Plus.     $18.95    Imported by Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant Berkeley, CA

2015 Domaine de Collette Beaujolais-Villages Rosé
This domaine is located in the Regnie appellation of Beaujolais. The wine is made from grapes grown on old vines with low yields. With a very pale salmon pink color the wine has a stunning perfume with hints of cherries and strawberries with a faint citrus tinge. Elegant with great style and finesse there is an abundance of fruit and an intermingling of red berries accented by a faint floral undertone. This is a really delicious rosé and a great bargain as well – Outstanding.    $9.95   Best Buy   Imported by Charles Neal Selections Richmond, CA

2015 Pierre-Marie Chermette Les Griottes Beaujolais Rosé
This is a very pure rosé with a lot of finesse. It has a light reddish orange color with a golden hue and a golden edge and has a stunning floral perfume with cherry fruit. Rounded and balanced with cherry fruit showing floral undertones the wine is elegant and delicious with a nice underlying crispness – Outstanding.     $15.95    Imported by Weygandt-Metzler Unionville, PA

Burgundy
Historically Burgundy has not been a producer of rosé wines. Marsannay is the northern most village in Burgundy and only assumed village status in 1987. It has no grand cru or premier cru vineyards. Before 1987, grapes in this area were used to make regional wines – red, white, and rosé. The production of those wines has continued with Marsannay now the only village in Burgundy to make all 3 types of wines – Pinot Noir for the red wines and rosés and Chardonnay for the white wines. However, there are not many Marsannays imported and the production is quite small. With respect to the Marsannay Rosés, they are really special with a lot of character and they benefit from some bottle age.

2015 Domaine Bart Marsannay Rosé
With a light reddish color showing a tinge of pink this rosé has a deep cherry perfume with a faint quality. On the palate, it has gorgeous cherry and raspberry fruit and is very flavorful with depth and balance. Subtle floral spice nuances complement the fruit and a distinct underlying crispness gives the wine a nice lift on the finish. This is a stunning Marsannay rosé – Outstanding Plus.    $19.99    Shipped by Jean-Marie de Champs Beaune, FR and Imported by Wine House Ltd San Francisco, CA

Corsica
Corsica is a historic island with very old vineyards that have undergone a renaissance. In recent years the French island of Corsica has been producing some of the most refined and delicious rosés on the planet. If you have not tried them now is the time!

2015 Domaine Comte Abbatucci Gris Imperial Vin De France
This is a lovely delicate rosé made with 90% Sciaccarellu and 10% Barbarossa. It has a pale golden pink color with a golden hue and golden edge and gorgeous perfume showing a kiss of spice and floral and herbal nuances. With great finesse and style the wine has subtle floral and herbal flavors with a touch of lemon-lime on the finish. It is balanced with a nice crispness and is very easy to drink – Outstanding.    $28    Imported by Kermit Lynch Wine  Merchant

2015 Domaine Comte Abbatucci Cuvée Faustine Vieilles Vignes Ajaccio Rosé
Made with 100% Sciaccarellu this rosé has a lot of complexity. The color is a very light reddish orange with a golden hue and golden edge and the wine has a great floral/herbal perfume with a touch of spice and a faint exotic nuance. On the palate it exhibits the same floral/herbal/spice nuances with faint hints of apricot. This is a gorgeous rosé with flavor, finesse, depth and richness – Outstanding Plus.   $35    Imported by Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant Berkeley, CA

2015 Yves Leccia  I. G. P. Île de Beauté Rosé
Made with 70% Niellucciu and 30% Grenache grapes grown on vines 20 to 40 years old this is a gorgeous rosé that is refined and delicate yet brimming with flavor. The color is very light reddish pink with a golden hue and the wine exhibits a great perfume with hints of rose petals, strawberries, and a kiss of spice. Very elegant and beautifully balanced this rosé has lovely fruit with hints of fraise du bois and a very subtle exotic nuance. It is irresistibly delicious – Outstanding Plus.     $28       Imported by Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant Berkeley, CA

2015 Domaine de Marquiliani Rosé Gris de Pauline Vin de Corse
The Amalric family purchased this domaine in the 1950s and replanted the vineyards. This was some 20 years after the 200 year old domaine was destroyed by fire and abandoned. Importer Kermit Lynch says drinking the Domaine De Marquiliani rosés is like “drinking a cloud.” That’s quite an image and it gives you some idea of the delicacy of these wines. They are simply amazing.
This rosé is made with 50% Syrah, 40% Sciaccarellu, and 10% Vermentino grown on vines that are over 50 years old. It has a very pale pink color and a haunting floral perfume with hints of peach and melon. The wine has great style and finesse with delicate flavors of peach, melon, and citrus showing a faint exotic tinge. It is flavorful yet seems to have a sense of weightlessness on the palate. This is a really amazing rosé that has to be tasted to be believed – Extraordinary.     $28     Imported by Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant Berkeley, CA

2015 Domaine de Marquiliani Rosé Gris de Marquiliani Vin de Corse
This wine is made with 90% Sciaccarellu and10% Syrah. It has the palest color imaginable with only a blush of pink. The perfume is very floral with a very faint tinge of steeliness. On the palate the wine is extremely elegant and very light yet shows delicate and subtle flavors of guava and melon. This is an amazing rosé with only 11.5% alcohol and tremendous finesse yet with a lingering flavor – Outstanding Plus.    $28      Imported by Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant Berkeley, CA

Languedoc-Roussillon
This area covers the Mediterranean coastline from the French border with Spain to Provence. With over 700,000 acres of vines it is the biggest wine producing region in the world. It accounts for over 1/3 of France’s total wine production and produces more wine that the entire United States. The area also produces lovely rosés. They are increasingly appearing here and generally they are very good values.

Côteaux du Languedoc
“Coteaux” means a hill covered by vines. The Greeks planted the first grapes here in 500 B.C. The Coteaux du Languedoc is a large wine area that is subdivided into 8 sub-appellations.

2015 Château Puech-Haut Saint-Drézéry Prestige Rosé Côteaux du Languedoc
Blended with Cinsault and Grenache this rosé has a very pale pink color with a golden hue and golden edge. There is a lovely perfume that suggests peach with floral nuances and on the palate subtle hints of peach are accented by floral nuances and a touch of citrus. This is a very pure rosé with lots of style and finesse – Outstanding.    $15.95     Eric Solomon Selections/Place Over Process  Imported by European Cellars, LLC Charlotte, NC

2015 Château des Deux Rocs Cabrières Rosé Prémices Languedoc
Made with 60% Cinsault, 25% Syrah, and 15% Grenache Noir this is a really lovely rosé. It has a very light salmon pink color and a lovely perfume with hints of  cherry and strawberry with a floral nuance. Lush and rounded yet with a lot of elegance the wine has gorgeous fruit suggesting raspberry and strawberry and is beautifully balanced with a nice underlying crispness – Outstanding.       $14.95     Best Buy    Imported by Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant Berkeley, CA

Pic Saint Loup
Pic Saint Loup is a commune of the Côteaux du Languedoc located just inland from Montpellier. In a very dry region, this commune has a particular microclimate with cool nights influenced by the mountain Pic Saint Loup.

2015 Ermitage du Pic Saint Loup Rosé
The history of this domaine dates back to the middle ages when the Hermitage was established. The vines were planted in 1992 by members of the Ravaille family which has a history in the Languedoc dating back over 1000 years.  This wine is made from 30% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre and 10% Cinsault. It has a pale golden orange color and subtle floral perfume. On the palate it is soft, supple, and rounded with hints of melon and peach and a faint underlying crispness – Highly Recommended Plus.    $16    Imported by Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant Berkeley, CA

Saint-Chinian
Saint-Chinian is a historic winemaking area in the Languedoc-Roussillon with vineyards cultivated here since ancient times. It benefits from a Mediterranean climate being only about 20 miles from the Southern French coast.

2015 Mas Champart Saint-Chinian Rosé
Made from 65% Mourvèdre, 25% Cinsault, and 10% Syrah this rosé has a very light pink color with a golden orange hue and a lovely floral perfume with hints of orange zest. With very subtle fruit showing hints of melon, peach, and citrus the wine is rounded and supple with some crispness on the finish – Highly Recommended.   $16    Imported by Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant Berkeley, CA 

Loire Valley
The Loire Valley wine region includes 87 appellations ranging from Muscadet along the Loire River near Nantes to Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé near Orléans in north central France. Most of the production is centered in 8 areas with most of the production being white wine, some red wine, and a very small amount of rosé.

Chinon
The vineyards of Chinon surround the town on the banks of the Vienne river. Red and rosé wines are made from Cabernet Franc with the addition of up to 10% of Cabernet Sauvignon. The rosés can be enjoyed young or aged for several years.

Charles Joquet Chinon Rosé
Made from Cabernet Franc grown on vines averaging 30 years of age this rosé is very consistent year to year and a perennial favorite that ages very well. This 2015 is no exception. It has a light reddish color with a faint orange hue and a lovely floral perfume with faint hints of cherry and raspberry. Bright and crisp with lovely floral tinged berry fruit the wine is balanced with great definition and flavor. Enjoy it now or drink over several years – Outstanding.    $20   Imported by Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant Berkeley, CA

2015 M. Plouzeau Château de la Bonnelière Rive Gauche Chinon Rosé
Made from Cabernet Franc this Chinon rosé is very crisp and bright with lovely fruit. The color is pale pink with a faint reddish hue and the floral perfume is lovely with faint floral and cherry nuances. Elegant with very pure floral tinged fruit the wine is beautifully balanced and very flavorful – Outstanding.    $14.95    Imported by Weygandt-Metzler Unionville, PA

Reuilly
The area of Reuilly has a long established history dating back to the 7th century. Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir are the principal grape varieties. For many years the white wine was know as “The poor man’s Sancerre”. Today the wine is enjoying a surge in popularity.

2015 Domaine de Reuilly Pinot Gris Rosé
This domaine is planted principally to Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. However, there is also a small plot of 2 acres of Pinot Gris. Unlike almost all rosés that are made from red grape varieties, this rosé is unique since it is made from the Pinot Gris grape which is a white variety with a blue gray skin. It is a consistently outstanding rosé that always exhibits a very pale color and exotic qualities. This rosé is something that every lover of rosés should definitely try. With a very pale golden color showing a very faint orange pink hue the wine has a lovely floral perfume with a tinge of spice. Lush, rounded, and supple it shows nuances of exotic fruits with a faint floral spiciness and a tinge of lemon-lime. In a word, this is a delicious rosé – Outstanding.   $20    Imported by Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant Berkeley, CA

Sancerre
Sancerre, located in the eastern part of the Loire Valley, is famously known for its great white wine which, for me, is the best Sauvignon Blanc in the world and one of my very favorite white wines. Also, there are some really lovely red wines based on the Pinot Noir grape which account for about 20% of the areas production. Still seemingly floating under the radar and made in relatively small quantities, are the great Pinot Noir based rosés which year in and year out are some of my favorite rosés. Typically they are in the range of 12% alcohol and are beautifully balanced. They are delicious young and age beautifully. They are great with a wide variety of foods and have a characteristic underlying crispness that accentuates their appeal.

2015 Domaine Paul Thomas Sancerre Chavignol Rosé
The village of Chavignol is home to some of the best Sancerres and, of course, the famous goat cheese. And, the wines and cheese really marry well together! This rosé has a pale pink color with a golden hue and a great floral perfume with hints of cherry and citrus. Very crisp and bright the wine is very stylistic and shows cherry fruit with faint hints of citrus. It is balanced, well defined, and delicious – Outstanding Plus.   $18.95    Imported by Langdon Shiverick  Los Angeles, CA

2015 Pascal et Nicolas Reverdy Sancerre Terre de Maimbray Rosé
Pale pink in color with a faint golden hue this rosé has a gorgeous floral perfume with hints of cherry and a very faint hint of spiciness. On the palate, it has great fruit with subtle hints of cherry and citrus accented by a spicy nuance. Rounded and flavorful with a nice underlying crispness the wine is soft yet has intensity and balance in a very refined and delicate way. This is a really delicious rosé – Outstanding Plus.    $21.95     Peter Weygandt Selection  Imported by Weygandt-Metzler Unionville, PA

Touraine
Stretching from Anjou to the west to Sologne in the east Touraine is an area where the Loire and its tributaries meet. Most of the vineyards are to the southeast of Tours and white, red, and rosé wines are produced.

2015 Domaine des Corbillières Touraine Rosé
Very light pink in color this rosé has a lovely floral perfume. On the palate it shows floral tinged berry fruit with a faint hint of orange zest and is balanced with a nice citrus tinged finish. This is a very refined rosé with a lot of charm – Highly Recommended Plus.    $15.99    Imported by Robert Kacher Selections New York, NY

2015  FX Barc Complices de Loire Touraine Rosé
This wine is made with 50% Gamay, 25% Malbec, and 25% Cabernet Franc. The color is light golden pink with a golden hue and the wine has a really lovely floral perfume with hints of raspberry and cherry with a faint spice tinge. On the palate it has lovely very pure fruit showing hints of raspberry and cherry with citrus spice nuances. This is a really delicious rosé that is a great value – Outstanding.    $10.95    Best Buy   Imported by Paul M Young Fine Wines Los Angeles, CA

 

Provence

The area of Provence has a very long history of wine production. Some believe that early inhabitants may have used indigenous vines to produce wine before the arrival of the Greeks in 600 BC. The Romans came in 125 BC and by that time the wine produced there had a reputation of being of high quality. Since that time the region has been influenced by a wide range of people and cultures. The phylloxera epidemic reached the area at the end of the 19th century and devastated the vines. Later, the arrival of the railroad and the development of tourism on the French Riviera resulted in soaring production of rosé which was very compatible with the climate and the regional cuisine. And, so it is today. Rosé wine currently accounts for more than half of the production of wine in Provence and sales of Provence Rosé in the United States are soaring (to read my latest article click here).

Bandol

Bandol is a wine area of less than 4000 acres centered around the Mediterranean coastal town of Bandol. This area has a unique microclimate next to the coast that is very warm and sunny and protected from the northern winds. Most of the production here is red wine which is mostly based on Mourvèdre. Bandol Rosés account for about a third of the areas production and are, for me, among the greatest rosés in the world. They are made from blends that are dominated by Mourvèdre, Grenache, and Cinsault. Delicious young they are also among the most age worthy of all rosé wines and continue to evolve over periods many years.

2015 Domaine de La Bastide Blanche Bandol Rosé
This rose is made with a very high percentage of Mourvèdre up to 75% along with Grenache and Cinsault. It has a very light reddish orange color with a golden hue and a lovely perfume with floral, herbal, and spice nuances and subtle hints of strawberry. Flavorful with tinges of peach and floral herbal nuances the wine is rounded and balanced with a nice crispness on the finish – Outstanding.    $20    Imported by Weygandt Metzler Unionville, PA

 

2015 Domaine du Gros’ Nore’ Bandol Rosé
This estate consists of some 36 acres of nearly 35 year old vines. The vineyards are located only a few hundred yards from those of Domaine Tempier. The wine is made from 40% Mourvèdre, 40% Cinsault, and 20% Grenache. For many years Alain Pascal and his father sold their fruit to Domaine Ott and Chateau de Pibarnon. After his father’s death, Alain named the estate for his father, Honoré Gros Noré, which means Big Honoré with the name Honoré shortened to Noré. Honoré was a giant of a man and Pascal is cut from the same mold. The first wines were made here beginning with the 1997 vintage. Having said that, the Domaine has already established itself as one of the best and most consistent producers of Bandol Rosé. The 2015 is again stunning. It has a light orange pink color with a golden hue and a gorgeous perfume that inter- mingles fruit and herbs with floral nuances. With great elegance and flavor the wine has lovely balance with flavors of peach combined with floral, herbal, and spice tinges. This is an absolutely stunning rosé – Extraordinary.    $32     Imported by Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant Berkeley, CA

2015 Domaine Tempier Bandol Rosé
This property, which lies between Marseilles and Toulon on the hillside of a natural amphitheater and runs down to the shore of the Mediterranean, has been owned by the Tempier family since 1834. They won their first gold medal in 1885 so they have a long track record of excellence. I buy this rosé every year. And, year in and year out for as long as I can remember, it is superb. And, each year I am amazed at the complexity and balance of the wine and the integration of the flavors. No one thing stands out yet the wine is flavorful and shows glimpses of different fruits and herbs with floral nuances. This 2015 is another great success. It is made with 55% Mourvèdre, 25% Grenache, and 20% Cinsault grapes grown on vines that average 20 years of age. The color is a very light orange pink with a golden hue. The perfume is floral and herbal and on the palate those same elements are integrated into faint suggestions of apricot and citrus. The wine is delicious now, but it also ages very well and over time develops even more subtle complexities – Extraordinary.     $42      Imported by Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant Berkeley, CA

Cassis
Cassis is an area located east of Marseille in southern France. Majestically situated, it is known for its cliffs facing the Mediterranean and sheltered inlets. The ancient fishing village was first settled by the Phoenicians in the sixth century B.C. and with them came the Ugni Blanc grape and wine. Today there are only a very few producers in Cassis who produce small amounts of white and rosé wine most of which is consumed locally with fish from the Mediterranean.

2015 Clos Sainte Magdeleine Cassis Rosé
This domaine was founded over 100 years ago. Founder Jules Savon won a gold medal for the domaine at the World’s Fair in 1900. For the last four generations it has been farmed by the Sack-Zafiropulos family. Total annual production is only about 3,750 cases of mostly white wine with a very small amount of rosé. Only a small quantity is imported here.
Made from 40% Grenache, 40% Cinsault, and 20% Mouvèdre grown on vines 15-40 years of age, this wine is always one of the most refined, delicate, and finesseful rosés and marries these qualities with flavor and length on the palate. It is a great complement to all types of lighter foods particularly delicate fish dishes. Pale orange pink in color with a golden hue the wine has a subtle floral perfume with very faint hints of cherry and citrus. On the palate it has great elegance and finesse showing subtle hints of strawberry and cherry with floral citrus nuances. This is an absolutely gorgeous rosé – Outstanding Plus.   $36      Imported by Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant Berkeley, CA

Coteaux D’Aix-en-Provence
Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence is the second largest appellation in the Provence wine region in the far south-eastern corner of France.

2015 Bíeler Père et Fils Rosé
This rosé is made from a blend of 40% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cinsault, and 3% Rolle. It is very pale salmon pink in color with a subtle floral perfume and on the palate has subtle hints of peach with a citrus tinge. With lots of finesse and a nice crispness this is a lovely rosé – Highly Recommended.    $9.95     Imported by Bíeler Père et Fils St. Helena, CA

Côtes de Provence
The Côtes de Provence is the largest appellation in the Provence wine region. It covers roughly 50,000 acres with 85% of the production going into rosé. The grapes used for rosé are Mourvèdre, Syrah, Cinsault, Grenache, and Tibouren. There are many Côtes de Provence Rosés available here although many more are available in France. Without question this area is responsible for more great rosés than anywhere else in the world.

2015 Domaine des Aspras “Les Trois Frères” Côtes de Provence Rosé
Made with 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah this is a really lovely rosé. It has a pale pink color with a golden hue and has a lovely floral perfume with faint hints of fresh herbs and citrus. Very elegant and crisp the wine has subtle flavors of strawberry and peach with a faint citrus nuance. All in all, it is a beautiful rosé with great style, definition, and finesse – Outstanding.    $16.29    Imported by The Wine House Limited San Francisco, CA

Vin de Pays du Var
Vin de Pays du Var covers the department of the Var in southern France. It is within the Pays du Var of Provence. Wines from these lesser known areas can often represent very good values.

2015 Domaine des Aspras Rosé a Lisa Vin de Pays du Var
This rosé is made with 50% Grenache and 50% Cinsault. It is pale orange pink in color with a golden hue and has a lovely floral perfume with hints of peach and apricot. Lush and rounded with a myriad of floral tinged fruit flavors the wine is beautifully balanced with a nice crispness on the finish. This is a really delicious rosé at a very affordable price – Outstanding.    $12.59    Imported by The Wine House San Francisco, CA

2015 Triennes Vin de Pays du Var Rosé
This estate was founded in 1990 by Jacques Seysses of Domaine Dujac and Aubert de Villaine of Domaine de la Romanèe-Conti and another friend Michel Macaux. It is located in the hills of the Var region of Provence. The wine is made from 70% Cinsault, 25% Grenache, and 5% Merlot. It has a pale salmon pink color with a faint amber tone and an amber edge and a very nice floral perfume with hints of peach and citrus. Balanced and soft with very good depth the flavors are subtle with hints of peach with a nice citrus tinge on the finish – Highly Recommended.     $13.95     Imported by Chambers & Chambers San Francisco, CA

Rhone Valley
The Rhone wine region in southern France is located into 2 parts: north and south. The Northern Rhone produces mostly red wines from the Syrah grape sometimes blended with white wine grapes and some white wine from Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier grapes. The Southern Rhone, with a more Mediterranean climate, produces red, white, and rosé wines with one appellation, Tavel, devoted entirely to rosés. The rosés from the Southern Rhone produce some of the fruitest of all French Rosés.

Costières de Nîmes
The Costières de Nîmes is located between Nimes and the western Rhône Delta. Wines have been produced here for over 2000 years! Some 40% of the current production is rosé. The Costières de Nîmes roses are generally very fruity and usually very attractively priced.

2015 Château de Campuget Costières de Nîmes Rosé Tradition de Campuget
Made with 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache Noir this rosé has a pale salmon pink color and a lovely floral perfume with hints of peach and raspberry.  On the palate it is rounded and supple with a nice underlying crispness and shows lovely fruit with floral tinge. This is a stylistic and delicious rosé that is a great value – Highly Recommended Plus.    $9.95     Best Buy    Imported by Dreyfus Ashby & Co New York, NY

2015 Château d’or et Gueles Les Cimels Costières de Nîmes  Rosé
This is a consistently lovely and attractively priced rosé. It is made primarily with Cinsault and Mourvèdre. Light orange in color with a golden hue the wine has a lovely floral perfume with strawberry tinged fruit and a very faint spiciness. It is beautifully balanced and very flavorful and supple. The strawberry fruit has a faint floral nuance and the finish shows a nice citrus tinged crispness – Outstanding.     $13.99    Robert Kacher Selections New York, NY

2015 Château Mourgues du Grès Galets Rosé Costières de Nîmes
This wine is named for the round rock soil from the Rhone River called “Galets.” It is made from Syrah and Grenache. With a very light reddish orange color showing a golden hue the wine has a lovely berry perfume with a citrus tinge. Rounded and very fruity with raspberry and watermelon nuances accented by a citrus tinge on the finish this rosé is very tasty and easy to drink – Highly Recommended Plus.    $11.95    Imported by Paul M. Young Fine Wines Los Angeles, CA

2015 Château Mourgues du Grès Fleur d’Eglantine Rosé Costières de Nîmes
Made from mostly Mourvèdre with Syrah, Grenache, and Carignan this rosé is named for a wild rose “Fleur d’Eglantine.” With a very pale salmon orange color showing a golden hue it has a gorgeous floral perfume with hints of strawberries and raspberries. On the palate the wine has very pure strawberry and raspberry fruit and a nice citrus tinge on the finish. It is balanced with great style and finesse and is a great value to boot – Outstanding.    $10.95     Best Buy Imported by Paul M. Young Fine Wines Los Angeles, CA

Tavel
Tavel is an area of just over 2000 acres dedicated solely to making rosé wines. It is located across the Rhone river from Châteauneuf du Pape and just north of Avignon. Historically, Tavel has been a favorite wine of kings and the Popes of Avignon as well as many celebrities. Vines have been grown in the area since the 5th century BC.
The wines of Tavel are known for their fruit and come in beautiful clear glass bottles embossed with the Tavel name and emblem. Tavel wines can be consumed young but also benefit from age. They are unique and delicious and are particularly suited to enjoyment with heartier foods.

Château De Trinquevedel
Made from 45% Grenache, 24% Cinsault, 15% Clairette, 10% Mourvèdre, and 6% Syrah grown on vines over 30 years old this is consistently an outstanding rosé. It has a light reddish color with a faint orange tinge and a golden edge and has a great cherry and raspberry perfume with a faint spiciness. Very flavorful with a myriad of red fruit flavors the wine is balanced with a nice underlying crispness and matches beautifully with flavorful foods such as Charcuterie – Outstanding.    $18.95    Imported by Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant Berkeley, CA

Ventoux
Ventoux is a large wine are located some 25 miles northeast of Avignon. It was formerly known as Côtes du Ventoux and some wines still bear that name. Wines have been made here since the 1st century AD.

2015 Les Terrasses d’Eole Côtes du Ventoux Rosé
This domaine is located at the base of Mount Ventoux. Red, white, and rosé wines are made here and they are inexpensively priced. This rosé is a great value. Pale pink in color with a golden hue the wine has a lovely floral perfume with faint hints of apricot and citrus. Very subtle and elegant with very faint hints of apricot, peach, and citrus it is very refined with a nice underlying crispness – Highly Recommended Plus.    $9.95    Best Buy    Imported by Charles Neal Selections Richmond, CA

2015 Domaine de Fondrèche Ventoux Rosé
Pale pink in color with a faint golden hue this rosé has a deep perfume with hints of grapefruit and a very faint suggestion of spice. It is bright and crisp with a faint cherry nuance and a distinct citrus tinge on the finish. This is a lovely rosé that is a great match all varieties of lighter foods – Highly Recommended.    $15.99    Imported by Robert Kacher Selections New York, NY

GERMANY
In recent years the number of German rosés coming to this country has been increasing. They are still relatively small in number, but are usually very high quality. Made from Pinot Noir they are very stylistic with a stunning degree of fruit. Some show more sweetness and others less especially the “Trocken” (Dry) Rosés.  Pinot Noir is proving to be a great grape for rosé as evidenced by the Sancerre Rosés and Marsannay Rosés as well as an occasional Pinot Noir rosé from California.  But, the German Rosés are relatively new and increasingly available. Be sure to try some German Rosés if you have not already done so.

2015 Freiherr Von Gleichenstein Pinot Noir Rosé Baden
With a pale orange pink color showing a golden hue this rosé has an exotic floral perfume. On the palate, it has lots of sweet exotic fruit with floral undertones and is very supple and rounded. This is a tasty fruit forward rosé – Highly Recommended.   $14.95    Imported by Winewise Benicia, CA

2015 Meyer-Nägel  Spatburgunder Rosé Ahr
Light reddish orange in color with a golden edge this rosé has a gorgeous  perfume of cherry and watermelon with a faint floral nuance. It is loaded with cherry and watermelon fruit and is bright and crisp with a faint petulance. This is a really delicious rosé that really sings – Outstanding Plus.    $24.95    Imported by Cellars International Carlsbad, CA

2015 Von Buhl Spatburgunder Rosé Trocken Pfalz
This rosé has a very light orange color with a golden hue and a deep floral perfume with exotic nuances and hints of cherry and citrus. With great balance and intensity there is a nice balance and an abundance of fruit flavors with suggestions of cherry, watermelon, and citrus. This is a stunning rosé that offers very good value – Outstanding Plus.    $15.95     Imported by Cellars International Carlsbad, CA

2015 Wagner Stempel Rosé Trocken Rheinhessen
With a very light orange red color showing a golden hue this rosé has a lovely floral perfume with hints of strawberry and cherry.  The wine is intensity fruity with cherry and strawberry flavors accented by floral nuances and is bright and crisp with a faint petulance. And, the fruitiness is balanced by a citrus tinge on the finish which brings everything into focus.  This is a gorgeous rosé that is a good value – Outstanding Plus.    $16.95       Imported by Cellars International Carlsbad, CA

PORTUGAL
I don’t often see Portuguese rosé, but here is a nice one at an affordable price.

2015 Herdade do Rocim Mariana Rosé Alentejano
Made with 60% Touriga Nacional and 40% Aragonez this rosé has a light golden amber color with a golden hue and a subtle perfume of apricot and citrus. With lovely delicate fruit flavors the wine is rounded and elegant with a nice crispness on the finish – Highly Recommended.    $9.95    Imported by Landon Shiverick,Inc Los Angeles, CA

SPAIN
Spain produces a lot of rosé. Increasingly available here, they are generally well priced and can offer good value.

2015 Ateca Rosé Honoro Vera Jumilla
Made from 100% Monastrell (Mourvèdre) this rosé has a pale orange pink color and a subtle perfume that is faintly herbal and floral with faint hints of berry fruit. Soft and round with delicate fruit flavors accented by herbal nuances the wine is light and pleasant – Recommended.    $9.95     Imported by Regal Wine Company Windsor, CA

2015 Cune Rioja Rosado Viña Real
Made from 100% Tempranillo this rosé has a very light golden orange color with a golden edge and a lovely floral perfume with faint hints of herbs and citrus. Well balanced with subtle fruit flavors tinged with citrus this is a nice light rosé – Recommended Plus.   $12.95    Imported by Eurovin USA Van Nuys, CA

2015 Muga Rioja Rosé
This wine is made mostly from red grapes (Tempranillo and Garnacha) and some white grapes (Viura). It has a very light pink color with a faint golden orange hue and a lovely floral perfume with a faint tinge of spice. Rounded and supple with very pure fruit showing a citrus tinge this rosé is elegant with very good depth and a lot of appeal – Highly Recommended.    $11.95    Imported by The Henry Wine Group Benicia, CA 

2015 Olivares Jumilla Rosé
This rosé is made from 30% Monastrell (Mourvèdre) and 70% Grenache. It has a very light pink color with a golden edge and a lovely floral perfume with hints of berry fruit. On the palate it has subtle fruit nuances and rounded with a nice underlying crispness – Recommended Plus.    $11.98    Imported by The Rare Wine Company Brisbane, CA