If you find yourself regularly reaching for the same bottle of rosé anytime you’re at the store looking to stock up—or have a reliable go-to you always bring when visiting friends or family—it might be time to shake things up. And we’ve got the inspiration to do just that—including a handful of choices from two local experts, Eric Gidley, general manager at Citarella Wines & Spirits in Greenwich, CT and Matthew Brody, owner of Bottle Grove in White Plains, NY.
1. Peyrassol Cuvée des Commandeurs Rosé
“Most rosés are the result of a rush by big companies with no real wine knowledge to jump on the gold rush,” explains Gidley. But that’s not the case for Provençal rosé, Peyrassol Les Commandeurs, which comes from winery that dates back 800 years, he says. “Nothing here is done by accident and everything is done with attention to perfecting a wine that is ready to beat the summer heat. Loaded with ripe fruit but also balanced on the finish, this wine is tough to beat for adventures in the sun.” His pairing advice: Fish or summer salads
2. Stein Trocken Rose 2022
“While the focus for most rosé is Provence, Germany and Austria are two sneaky-great sources for great rosé,” says Brody. “From Germany’s Mosel region, every wine we’ve tasted from Dr. Ulli Stein has been revelatory, but we eagerly look forward to each new vintage of rosé in particular. Cherry notes are paired with a rocket ship of live acidity and while this bottle still flies a little under-the-radar, word is quickly getting out.”
3. Rumor Rosé
If you’re looking for something organic, consider Rumor Rosé, which is made in Provence, primarily with Grenache grapes. The brand describe this particular vintage, which has a smooth finish, as “elegant and light” with notes of citrus.
4. Domaine Pelle Menetou-Salon Morogues Rosé
“A common request we hear from guests is, ‘I am looking for a rosé that can go seamlessly from the patio to the dinner table (many Provençal rosé barely keep up with a salad).’ The answer comes in the form of a flavor-packed pink from the Mentou-Salon, a lesser-known subregion of the Loire Valley than the more famous/expensive Sancerre,” explains Gidley. This option is 100 percent Pinot Noir, he notes, “and it offers up beautiful floral notes, lemon curd, and palate-cleansing acid in medium-bodied style.” His pairing advice: Seared Ahi tuna steaks.
5. Arnot-Roberts Rose 2022
“Arnot-Roberts is another producer for which our approach is best summed up as: ‘buy everything we can get our hands on.,’” says Brody. As he explains, two childhood friends are behind the company, which is a leader in new California wine—”a movement that’s emerged in the last two decades inspired by old-world styles with pulled back new oak influence. Their rose is produced with typically Portuguese varietals like Touriga Nacional but despite its unique composition it’s always fresh, friendly, and immensely drinkable.”
6. Black Girl Magic Rosé
Notes of raspberry and orange blossom combine in this dry rosé from the California-based McBride Sisters Wine Company, which is owned by two sisters—and is the largest Black-owned winery in the country. The gold winner of the 2021 Monterey International Wine Competition, the wine is described as “a gorgeous, bright and fresh wine that pairs perfectly with chocolate covered strawberries, grilled fish dishes and your holiday feast.”
7. Feudo Montoni Nerello Mascalese Rose di Adele
If you want something other than French rosé—and a wine that can go from afternoon to evening, Gidley says, “Look no further than Feudo Montoni’s Rose di Adele from the mountains of Sicily. Peach and white pepper dominant the senses but it finishes with a fleshy structure.”
His pairing advice: “Hear white meats and soft cheese are the answer,” he notes.
