Your Complete Guide to Drinking Rosé Wine All Summer Long
By Matt Duckor, Epicurious
“YES, ROSÉ IS A LIFESTYLE”
Rosé isn’t just a beverage—it’s lifestyle.
At least that’s the idea behind Yes Way Rosé, the Instagram account turned full-fledged, pink-tinted lifestyle brand. Started as a joke between friends Erica Blumenthal and Nikki Huganir, Yes Way personifies what it means to be a die-hard rosé drinker. “Rosé is dry, lighthearted, and refreshing,” explains Blumenthal. “You’re never stressed out when you’re drinking rosé.”
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The Instagram account functions as a representation of that idea—rosé by the beach, rosé in the vineyards, rosé on a rooftop. So get on the rosé train.
“WHAT IS THIS ‘ROSÉ SEASON’ YOU SPEAK OF?”
Summer is hailed as the start of “rosé season,” the-five-or-so-months-a-year that’s generally accepted as the time to drink rosé. So, perfect, get your pink drink on until October. But don’t stop there. Blumenthal and Huganir aren’t firmly in the anti-rosé season camp and argue that the beverage should be consumed all year round, mostly because rosé isn’t as limiting as people seem to think it is (more on that in a second).
“GUYS, THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT STYLES OF ROSÉ”
If you think of rosé as summer water—that dangerously drinkable beverage you don’t have to think twice about—you’re not alone. But one of the first steps to truly embracing the stuff is to expand your mind. Sure, rosé can be simple and fun, but it can also be so much more (note: it’s always fun).
Fruity: Look to rosé made from grenache, sangiovese, or pinot noir grapes for bottles with a fruity bent. Region-wise, you’ll be extremely happy with the wines of Provence, the mecca of all rosé. Note that fruity doesn’t necessarily mean sweet—many rosés from Provence are bone dry and high in acid. Basically, your ideal day drinking and brunch eating wine.
Sweet: This is what most people think of when they think of rosé. A good chunk of this category is made from Zinfandel grapes, which lend the wine it’s off-dry (that’s winespeak for slightly-sweet) taste and can bring with it flavors of berries, citrus, and melon.
Floral: The South of France produces wines made from Mourvèdre—they’re the perfect balance of fruit and dried herbal notes. You can spot them by their pale pink color.
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Savory: Would you believe us if we told you that you could serve rosé with red meat? Grab a bottle from Côtes du Rhône or an American bottle made from the Syrah grape—they’ll sport a darker color and a much deeper, bolder flavor than any you’ve ever had.
3 BOTTLES TO TRY
We asked Blumenthal and Huganir to rattle off a few of their current favorites—though they’re quick to point out that “picking a favorite rosé is like a parent picking a favorite child.” Plus, they’ve got their very own limited-edition rosé bottle available right this very moment.
Bridge Lane Rosé - $18 (Bottle) or $40 (3L Box) “We love that there are incredible rosés being made right here in NY, and this one from Long Island is a great example. Primarily made of Cabernet Franc, Bridge Lane is light-bodied and dry with lots of red fruit flavors. The added bonus of buying from this vineyard is that they’re all available in bottles, 3L boxes or 20L kegs!” Note: The price works out to the equivalent of $10/bottle if you buy the box. Buy it here.
Chateau Pigoudet Aix En Provence Rosé 2014 - $11 “A quintessential example of the beautifully balanced and barely-there blush rosés from Provence, this wine is light, dry, refreshing, and highly instagrammable. This is the type of wine that made us love rosé in the first place.” Buy it here.
Robert Sinskey Vin Gris of Pinot Noir 2014 - $28 “One of our favorites from a recent trip to Napa Valley, this rosé is crisp, refreshing and bone dry with vibrant wild strawberry and peach flavors. Its super elegant light pink hue would easily elevate any summer dinner or barbecue.” Buy it here.
Bonus Pick Summer Water - $18 “We’re not just saying this because we collaborated with Club W on this one, but Summer Water rosé is the best thing ever. A perfectly pale pink made with Napa Valley Pinot Noir grapes, it’s dry with a juicy texture and light floral aromas. Maybe as easy to drink as "regular” water.“ Buy it here.
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PHOTO BY CHELSEA KYLE, FOOD STYLING BY ANNA STOCKWELL
