My mom likes Champagne…well most moms do. But rather than the predictable sparkling wine round up for Mother’s Day, it seems that pink is the drink that doesn’t stink – as in a gift, or to just imbibe with mom herself. Frankly, Mom is probably buying a lot of wine herself - in fact a little over 80% of all wine purchases are made by women. Not to mention that rose’ is currently on an upswing seeing a 30% increase in sales worldwide. So IntoWine searched out diverse rose’ wines; ones that are expressive, unique and at price points for everyone. Disable rich-text
Chronic Cellars 2016 Pink Pedals
From Paso Robles comes this (predominately) Grenache rose’ with a little Syrah made by two brothers whose father owns a winery, so they decided to kick it in another direction. Irreverent marketing has also helped immensely, I mean seriously, a skeleton riding a bike? This is Mom’s best porch pounder, a seductively simple wine with loads of strawberry, peach, lemon-lime and rose petal notes. There’s a back note of acidity to brighten it up and the Grenache allows for an earthiness sitting in the background. (www.chroniccellars.com/$15)
Smith Devereux/Dennen 2016 The Vacationer
Small production wine means just that, there ain’t much of it out there, typically under a few hundred cases…if you’re lucky. That’s cool because it means Mom gets wine that most others do not. The Vacationer is mainly Tempranillo with 15% Syrah and a dash of Tannat, all stainless steel fermented. You end up with, soft raspberry and strawberry notes, muted blueberry and hibiscus. There’s a silkiness that covers the palate making this easy to quaff and you’re thinking this should cost more, but it doesn’t. (www.smithdevereux.com/$15)
Champs du Provence 2016 Rose’
There’s an old French expression: “Ça fait longtemps, dis donc, rose!” – Long time, no see, rose’! Okay, that’s not true, but Provence is synonymous with rose’, and this pink shows France quiet well. Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah make up this blend resulting in subdued, subtle, almost shy flavors. The success of this wine is the very thing Provence does right: mineral notes with understated fruit so there’s more stone fruits like peach and pear, meringue and pomegranate, rhubarb and soft cherry. Ideal with foods because it’s so chameleon-like, light and easy-going, like mom herself. (www.prestigebeveragegroup.com/$18)
Michael Mondavi Family 2016 Isabel Rose’ ($20)
The name Mondavi is best associated with Napa and this nod to their Italian heritage uses mainly Cabernet Sauvignon with additions of Barbera and a hint of Muscat to make a Rose’ Mom will love, so much so they named it after a Mom! Isabel is Mom to son and winemaker, Rob Mondavi Jr. who created this wine originally with the idea of making a handful of cases for her. Lychee, watermelon and strawberry notes coax out more subtle elements like a stony minerality, pomegranate and plum. (www.foliowine.com/$20)
Long Meadow Ranch 2016 Rose’ of Pinot Noir
Laddie Hall and her husband Ted started Long Meadow Ranch in the late 1980s and one of their properties is located in the Anderson Valley in Mendocino and is the home for this 100% Pinot Noir Rose’. Entirely stainless steel fermented, it allows for a bright, clean expression, one that celebrates the beauty of Mendocino Pinot. This lithe iteration offers peach, plum, pear and strawberry, a backbone of acidity and minerality, along with floral notes of rose and wildflowers. Like Mom it’s delicate and alluring. (longmeadowranch.com/$25)
2016 Paraduxx Rose’
Napa makes so many great wines it’s no surprise that Rose’ should be among them. If Mom’s a birder, this is the perfect wine to watch winged creatures. Made of Syrah with 10% Grenache added in, you find notes of strawberry, lemon-lime curd, along with back notes of stone fruits like peaches and plums and nectarines and an almost apple cobbler aroma. Stainless steel intervention keeps this crisp and clean, and the Paraduxx flies out of the gate. It fills the mouth but doesn’t coat the palate.(www.paraduxx.com/$30)
