By Frank Morgan
Wine enthusiasts who’ve wandered through the aisles of local wine shops recently may have noticed more shelf space dedicated to pink wines.
Like summer days in Virginia, rosé is hot!
Not to be confused with the sweet, cheap white zinfandels popularized by our parents in the 1980s, dry, refreshing and complex rosé is one of the fastest growing categories in the wine industry.
American wine consumers drank 67 percent more rosé in 2017 than the year before. Local wineries are increasing production of dry, refreshing pink-hued wines to meet soaring demand.
From salads to shellfish to burgers on the grill, rosés are versatile enough to pair with a range of summer favorites.
Raise your rosé game this summer by seeking out these delicious local wines:
Rappahannock Cellars Fizzy rosé
Huntly
Grapes: Blend of vidal blanc, viognier, chambourcin, merlot, and cabernet sauvignon
Method: Direct press and saignée
Price: $27
Delicious and delightfully effervescent. This red-hued fizz is one of three rosés Rappahannock Cellars produces. Savory and a tad sweet with aromas and flavors of dried strawberry, rosé petal, and stone fruit.
Recommended pairing: Serve as an aperitif or with bloomy rind cheese.
The Williamsburg Winery
Williamsburg
Grapes: 100% cabernet franc
Method: Saignée Price: $16
Made from cabernet franc grown in the Wessex Hundred estate vineyard in Williamsburg, this rosé is bone-dry, crisp and delicious, offering aromas of fresh red berries and flavors of cherry, orange peel and hints of mineral on the palate.
Recommended pairing: Nicoise salad
Glass House Winery 2017 Brosé
Free Union
Grapes: 100% barbera
Method: Direct press
Price: $25
Glass House is one of two wineries in Virginia that grows barbera. Beautiful salmon hue, mouthwatering cherry, dried strawberry, white peach, and mineral notes. Delicious.
Recommended pairing: Chicken kabobs on the grill
Rosemont of Virginia Vineyards 2017 Rosé
La Crosse
Grapes: 100% chambourcin
Method: Direct press
Price: $16
Made from grapes grown at the Rosemont estate vineyard. Dark watermelon color in the glass, offering notes of ripe raspberry, cantaloupe, and watermelon. The zippy strawberry acidity gives this rosé vibrant energy.
Recommended pairing: Strawberry and spinach salad
Grace Estate Winery 2017 Le Gras rosé
Crozet
Grapes: 75% merlot, 25% malbec
Method: Direct press
Price: $22
Made from estate-grown merlot and malbec, this rosé is a vibrant red cherry color with raspberry and strawberry aromas. Ripe flavors of watermelon and raspberry with white pepper notes on the finish. A delight.
Recommended pairing: Burger, grilled, medium rare. (Yes, burgers with rosé!)
Recommended pairing: Burger, grilled, medium rare. (Yes, burgers with rosé!)
Breaux Vineyards 2017 Cellar Selection Rosé
Purcellville
Grapes: Blend of cabernet franc, malbec, and nebbiolo.
Method: Direct press
Price: $24
Breaux Vineyards is home to the largest estate vineyard planting (105 acres) in the Loudoun County region and one of the few to use puncheons (large 500-liter barrels) made of acacia wood. The malbec was aged in acacia puncheons, adding texture and floral notes to the wine. Refreshing and zippy, with notes of fresh strawberry, white flowers, rosé water, and hints of saline. A beautiful rosé.
Recommended pairing: Shellfish dishes.
Veritas Vineyards & Winery
Afton
Grapes: Blend of cabernet franc, merlot, and touriga nacional.
Method: Direct press
Price: $20
This elegant, light-pink hued rosé opens with aromas of strawberry, pink grapefruit, white flowers, and wet stone and transitions to stone fruit, raspberry, and cherry flavors on the palate.
Recommended pairing: Barbecue