Rosé may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but there’s no getting around how popular pink wines have become in recent years.

And for good reason.

Aside from being a terrific poolside sipper, a well-crafted rosé is often a great choice at the dining table. With more weight, body and fruit than your typical white wine, and lighter and daintier than a red, rosé hits that sweet spot in the middle.

Rosé goes well with many dishes, from crisp salads and seafood ceviches, to pasta, grilled fish and barbecued meats. Just keep your rosé away from salads made with bitter greens, and dishes with heavy, rich sauces (i.e., garlic Parmesan cream sauce), both of which will suffocate the wine’s delicate flavors.

Many people pop open rosé during the summer, but there’s no reason to forgo it during the cooler months—it goes especially well at the Thanksgiving table. Turkey, stuffing and sweet potatoes are all excellent matches with rosé.

Three Tips to Consider When Opening a Bottle of Rosé.

Drink well-chilled. Rosé can taste dull and flat if not chilled properly. Yet, if too cold you’ll miss the wine’s subtle aromas. Taking it out of the fridge or off ice about ten minutes prior to serving will do the trick, bringing the wine to the perfect temperature for tasting.
Drink young. Most rosé is meant to be consumed within a year of harvest, when the flavors are fresh and vibrant. That’s not to say a year or two later the wine will have gone bad (some, more structured rosés can age well for 5 years or longer), but to drink most rosé at its prime, buy a current vintage.
Consider the color. You can’t tell a wine’s flavor by its color. Light color doesn’t necessarily equal light flavor. Some of my favorite Pinot Noir red wines, for example, are delicately hued yet offer a great punch of flavor. Same goes for rosé, although I will say that darker-colored rosés tend to offer more fruity roundness and body (more texture), but not necessarily more intense flavor.

11 Recommended Rosés (In Order of Preference)

1) Troon Vineyard Kubli Bench Rosé 2021

Country: USA. Region: Applegate Valley, Oregon. Grapes: 55% Malbec, 35% Tinta Roriz, 10% Counoise. ABV: 11.5% SRP: $18. Tasting notes: Absolutely delicious! Fresh raspberries and strawberries, lemon and lime; plenty of saline minerality. With 11.5% alcohol, this is a rosé you can enjoy a couple of glasses of without the dreaded fuzzy head in the morning.

2) Les Sarrins Côtes de Provence Rosé 2021

Country: France. Region: Provence. Grapes: 60% Grenache, 25% Cinsault, 10% Rolle (Vermentino), 5% Mourvèdre. ABV: 13%. SRP: $25. Tasting notes: Classic Provence style with delicate notes of raspberry, strawberry and citrus fruits; invigorating medium-plus acidity; structured, lots of saline minerality; long, juicy finish. A truly superb rosé to pair with fresh tomato salads, cheeses and roasted eggplant or zucchini.

3) Scaia Rondinella Rosato Veneto 2021

Country: Italy. Region: Veneto. Grapes: 100% Rondinella. ABV: 12.5%. SRP: $15. Tasting notes: Red berry fruit, melon and white flowers; nicely balanced with pleasant acidity, solid structure and salinity; bright and lively, not overly fruity; super tasty and refreshing. Pair with summer salads and all seafood.

4) Masseria Li Veli “Askos” Susumaniello Rosato 2021

Country: Italy. Region: Salento, Puglia. Grapes: 100% Susumaniello. ABV: 12.5%. SRP: $23. Tasting notes: Slightly tangy with refreshing notes of tart red berries, melon and mint; medium-bodied with beautiful salinity; full, bright flavors—the taste of summer!

5) La Valentina Cerasuolo D’Abruzzo 2021

Country: Italy. Region: Abruzzo. Grapes: 100% Montepulciano. ABV: 13.6%. SRP: $14. Tasting notes: Dark, rich fruit; savory, with a slightly earthy, leather and tar undercurrents; very well-balanced with zingy acidity. Enjoy with seafood, pasta, cheeses and grilled sausages.

6) Daou Rosé 2021

Country: USA. Region: Paso Robles, CA. Grapes: 100% Grenache. ABV: 14.1% SRP: $24. Tasting notes: Fragrant and floral nose; crisp flavors of red berries and stone fruits (peaches, plums and apricot), honeydew melon, white pepper; medium-plus acidity, structured, with a very long finish. Well-balanced—fruity, but not overly so. With 14.1% alcohol, this is a full-bodied rosé that can pair well with oily fish like salmon, or with grilled chicken or pork. Delicious!

7) El Coto Rosado 2021

Country: Spain. Region: Rioja. Grapes: 90% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha. ABV: 12%. SRP: $13. Tasting notes: big, juicy and fruity, with a long finish; a true food pairing wine, great with seafood salads or barbecued meats.

8) Masseria Li Veli “Torrerose” Negroamaro Rosato 2021

Country: Italy. Region: Salento, Puglia. Grapes: 100% Negroamaro. ABV: 12.5%. SRP: $15. Tasting notes: Very fragrant: fresh, tart red berries in a glass! Light, crisp and saline with tangerine notes and hints of mint and black pepper. Pair with grilled red snapper with a caper butter lemon sauce.

9) Saint-Roch Rosé 2021

Country: France. Region: Côtes du Roussillon. Grapes: 60% Grenache, 40% Syrah. ABV: 12.5% SRP: $18. Tasting notes: light and bright with good salinity; fruity citrusy, slightly candied tangerine finish; pleasant and refreshing. Pair with ceviche or grilled flaky white fish.

10) Baron de Ley Rosé

Country: Spain. Region: Rioja. Grapes:. ABV: 13.5%. SRP: $15. Tasting notes: Subtle but present red berry fruit; saline and bright; a tasty wine that pairs well with grilled pork chops.

11) Lynmar Rosé of Pinot Noir 2021

Country: USA. Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, CA. Grapes: 100% Pinot Noir. ABV: 14.1%. SRP: $33. Tasting notes: Subtle notes of raspberries, strawberries, peach and orange zest; a touch of pleasant bitterness on the finish. Surprisingly light and elegant for a rosé with 14.1% ABV.

Note: All samples tasted for this article were still rosé wines, not sparkling. All opinions are my own.