Wine enjoyment changes with the seasons, always has, always will. At least for normal, non-snobby people, who know better than to pop open a red Bordeaux, expensive burgundy or oak-driven Chardonnay when the temperature is over 90F. Sorry, but put aside your bottles of Petrus, The Prisoner or Rombauer Chardonnay for another day, thanks.
When the first heat spell arrived in mid-June, my mind, set on auto-pilot, immediately thought of a good dry rose. Provence and Tavel are associated with French Rose wines, and many West Coast producers have raised the bar high with Roses of Pinot Noir.
But if you like a little more flavor in a Rose that is also chillable and can carry over to be paired with your favorite summer dish, Grenache Rose is my fav choice for 2025. Here are a few examples of nicely-flavored, smooth as silk, and fun to enjoy this summer.
Peter William Vineyard Rogue Valley (Oregon) Grenache Rose 2024 $24
As Roses increase in popularity the trend is toward drier and more substantial flavor, but you never know until you taste the wine. Here’s a Rose that takes dry Rose to another quality level. The appealing color is more coral than pink, and the aroma offers lovely fresh strawberries with a hint of spice. On the palate, this wine sets itself apart from the pack with its rich, round body and ultra-smooth texture. The finish is long with berry-ish flavors and just enough acidity to balance things off and makes you start thinking of food to enjoy it with. 92
Terre Rouge Vin Gris D’Amador Sierra Foothills (California) 2022 $32
The “Vin Gris” name along with the striking salmon-coral color suggest this is a Rose out of the ordinary. The juice was fermented in French barrels normally used for white wines. Made from 52% Grenache and 42% Mourvedre, it is quite rich but also vibrant from start to finish. Strawberry, fresh cut flowers, and a hint of orange rind aromas reward swirling, and the wine is round on the palate with lots of juicy watermelon and yellow peach flavors. Good balancing acidity keeps it fresh, suggesting you can enjoy this all summer long by the glass or with seafood all year round. 94
Verdad Wines Grenache Rose San Luis Obispo, Reeves Vineyard 2023 $20
This beauty is made from the organically farmed Reeves Vineyard in Edna Valley. It comes across as a lively, lovely rosé with aromas and flavors of crushed raspberries and citrus. On the palate it is ultra-smooth with persistent flavors that have you thinking of enjoying it with summer salads and grilled chicken. 92
Mathilde Chapoutier, Côtes de Provence 2023 $12
Mathilde wines are imported by Michael Mondavi Family. This 2023 release brings together Grenache and Syrah with a drop or two of Cinsault and Rolle. After being night harvested and cold fermented, the wine is aged in stainless for 5 months. Pale pink, it offers a pleasing, delicate aroma of watermelon with a floral note. Light and vibrant on the palate, it pleases with its direct, gentle flavors. I’ve seen it priced below $8 at many Grocery Outlet Stores.
Domaine de Triennes, Mediterranée IGT (Provence, France) Rosé 2024 ($18)
This Rosé, a blend of Cinsault, Syrah, Grenache, and Merlot, is everything you would expect from Provence and more. Light salmon in color, with an aroma of fresh strawberries and watermelon, it is lively and refreshing on the plate with lush berry flavors. Not a lightweight, but simply a delicious Rosé with enough richness to enjoy with lunch or by the pool.
Long Walk Vineyard, Rogue Valley (Oregon) 2022 $23
With Rosé wines being so trendy and Rosés now being made from just about every red grape available, it was refreshing to encounter a Rosé from a red grape that’s ideally suited for a Rosé: Cinsault. Popular in Southern France, Cinsault is light in color and low in tannin and remains the backbone for many Provence Rosés. From vines planted in 2002, this is an attractive pink-copper color and offers an aromatic mix of just-picked strawberries, rose petals and summer flowers. Medium-bodied and vibrant, it is balanced and has just enough acidity to bring it to a delicate finish. 92
Julia’s Dazzle, Columbia Valley (Washington) Pinot Gris Rosé 2023 $20
This Rosé is full of surprises starting with the fact that it is made from Pinot Gris. Then you look at its unusual onion skin color and move on to its pretty aroma of berries with a rose petal note. In the mouth, it is soft with refined and lively berry flavors. Creamy in texture, it has just enough acidity to make you beg for a second glass. 92
But if you are among those who prefer red wines, there are plenty of choices out there to enjoy over the long summertime. Even the barbecue crowd can still confidently open a red wine, so you don’t need to change your diet, just change where you look.
Changing your attitude is also important, so you have to first think about red wines that can be chilled. Yes, it is okay to chill a red. You can also add an icecube which may shock some people, but remember, if you paid for the wine, you can do anything you want to do with it.
It’s best to avoid wines that are high in tannins, or oak as well as those high in alcohol. The reason is that chilling will tone down or mute the fruitiness of a red, leaving a dull aroma and dried out tannic flavor.
G.D. Vajra, Langhe Nebbiolo DOC (Piedmont, Italy) 2023 $25
Anyone looking for red wines to enjoy over the summer should seriously consider Nebbiolo. Vajra, a pioneer of sustainable and organic farming in Piedmont, offers an excellent example of a Nebbiolo that can be slightly chilled and still be a perfect complement to summertime fare. Light garnet in color with an aroma of berries, fresh roses, and a light note of tar, this wine is refreshing and nicely balanced. The flavors are a juicy mix of cherry, raspberry, and a touch of spice, complemented by light tannins and good acidity. Fun to drink and versatile.
91
Delfino Farms Edio Estate Grown Grenache, El Dorado 2023 $42
Grenache is typically rich in flavors and low in tannins, so smooth it often is. El Dorado is home to many wineries making excellent Grenache. Delfino is one of my favs. In 2023, the wine was 100% Grenache, whereas previous vintages were blended with Syrah. Aged for 10 months in neutral French oak and bottled unfined and unfiltered, this is an excellent example of pure, vibrant, mountain grown Grenache. The color is a lively red, and the aroma is all about cranberry and cherry with light spice accents. Medium-bodied, sleek and structured, it has fresh flavors of cherry and plum, with a slight tannic edge in the finish. The acidity lengthens the finish and leaves you thinking of serving it with light cheese or summer fare. 92
Troon Vineyard Druid’s Red, Applegate Valley 2023 $22
Troon is all about biodynamic and sustainability and delicious wines like this red.
Druid’s Red is a fun, all-purpose red wine. Made from 30% Syrah, 27% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 19% Mourvèdre, and 4% Carignane, it offers fresh plum and raspberry aromas backed up by hints of dried herbs. Gentle and smooth on the palate with ultra soft tannins, it continues the lively plum and berry theme with subtle accents of earth and tobacco for added interest. The winery suggests it be served chilled, and it is a great pizza and picnic red to enjoy all summer.
Starfield Cinsault El Dorado $32
Starfield and several neighbors in El Dorado are giving Cinsault, a popular grape for rose wines, a fresh look on its own. From its 31 acre vineyard, Starfield produces several Rhône-style wines as well as others in its “Mountain Mediterraneans” program. In its 2019 Cinsault, freshly picked strawberry and cranberry juice dominate the expansive aromas in this medium light-bodied red. Without any noticeable tannin, it really turns on the charm as its lively flavors expand across the midpalate with fresh berry and spice and red fruit that all persist well into the aftertaste. More than a summer sipper, this is a versatile food companion. And delicious.
La Quercia Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC( Italy) Riserva 2020 $22
From a vineyard organically farmed since the late ‘60s, winemaker Antonio Lamona aged this wine for a year in Slavonian oak. It has a deep, dark color and then you encounter an aroma that is absolutely enchanting. It opens with plums and blackberries along with anise and a light floral fragrance. Juicy and packed with flavors that are vibrant and youthful, it has light tannins that give it some bite in the finish. The flavors continue the emphasis on plum, cherry and earthiness with a fleshy mouthfeel. The slightly tannic finish makes this a great choice for the BBQ crowd. This is a lot of wine for the price! 92
So there you are! Bring it on summer!!
Norm Roby's Unfiltered Guide to Savvy Wine Shopping 