Memorial Day – Unofficial Kick-off for Rosé Season
Living in Southern New England we had an unusually warm winter – very little snow – very unseasonable. What does this lead to? A very short spring filled with almost daily rain.
Connecticut resembles the hills of Ireland it is so green. It also means Memorial Day becomes the jumping off point for warmer weather. And just like that – lower 70’s and wispy clouds have greeted the first holiday weekend of the summer. Or as we call it in TheThinkerAnd Drinker household – the unofficial beginning of Rosé season.
Wine Enthusiast Magazine just published an informative list their top ten Rosé for 2019 to accompany their ratings of over 6,000 Rosé bottles ranked by rating, vintage and price (see link below). While you will find many outstanding labels with high ratings and even higher price points. There are some great finds including a 2018 Chateau d’ Aqueria from the Rhone Valley with a 93 Rating priced at $22 USD and a 2018 Quady North GSM from Southern Oregon with a 92 Rating priced at $17 USD. We love affordable wines with excellent pedigrees.
Personally we have had great luck with the following:
2017 Mare Nostrum Mediterranée Rosé: Let’s be honest – we were first drawn to this due to the label and the fact that we were hosting a backyard lobster bake – but we were so surprised. Our guests loved it – and it went amazingly well with the lobsters, clams and the like. From Domaine de l’ Olivette in Provence it was very smooth and fruity with a deep strawberry color. 40% Grenache, 40% Cinsault & 20% Mouvedre grapes. Priced at $11.99 USD it was a bargain.
2017 Los Vascos Rosé: This is a recent find for us. From the Colchagua Valley in Chile it is rated 90 points from James Suckling. It boasts a stunning pale pink color, a clean finish and a wonderful medley of apples, strawberries and cherries. Another great find at $12 USD it could easily keep in your cellar for a season or two and mature.
