The Grapevine

Rosés for the Beach

May 29th, 2015

We know we sound like a broken record on some issues – the value of email marketing, how great the wines of the Loire Valley are, rosés … but let’s talk about rosés for the beach. [level-members]

It’s kind of odd to make a (beach) blanket recommendation like this. After all, you can have a great picnic on the beach with just about anything from burgers and dogs to cold steak sandwiches to veggies and hummus in pita.

But we’re not really talking about a true food and wine pairing here. We’re talking about a state of mind. Even if you’re not going to the beach, you just might be in that sand-between-my-toes kind of mood. (As I was last night, hence this post.) And for that, sitting in the hot sun, with a breeze and, importantly, nothing to do … you can’t beat rosé in our book.

Here are three we’ve found courtesy of WineEnthusiast. Many less expensive options are available, of course.

(And for the record, the rosé we uncorked last night was a great complement to the vegetable frittata we whipped up.)

92 Château Vignelaure 2012 Rosé (Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence). Complex, rich and ripe, with a tannic edge and full red-fruit flavors. Deserves a few more months in bottle. Blue Coast International.
abv: 13.5%           Price: $22

90 Château de Calavon 2012 Rosé (Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence). Ripe and fruity, this is a concentrated rosé that shows its origins. A Tres Vite.
abv: 13.5%           Price: $20

90 Château Maupague 2012 Rosé (Côtes de Provence Sainte-Victoire). Strawberry-flavored wine with a balance between crisp acidity and the ripe, warm texture. Frank Johnson Selections.
abv: 12.5%           Price: $22

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