Sweet honeysuckle blossoms, ripe peaches, languorous sunsets…the delightful joys of summertime are just around the corner. Hard to believe the shackles of winter will soon be vague memories! We’re ready for easygoing outdoor entertaining and fresh, seasonally-inspired fare.

And to go with it all? Beautiful rosé wine, chilled and uncomplicated.

As it happens, 2017 saw a bumper crop of quality rosés from all around the world. The summer portfolio of rosés from The Royal Wine Corp. is the largest and most interesting selection of quality wines from around the world, according to wine blogger Gabriel Geller.

“Each of them, without a single exception, is good to excellent!” reports Geller, who also serves as Director of Public Relations for The Royal Wine Corp. “What’s more, each and every one of them is well-priced.”

But Geller cautions consumers that rosé has a short shelf life, and most retailers tend to stock up early. He predicts that many of these wines will sell out quickly.

So now’s the time to explore the crisp, jewel-pink world of light summer rosé wines. They range in hue from barely-blushing to deep rose, each with its own personality.

For value, Geller recommends this quartet of excellent quality wines at great prices:

Herzog Lineage. This unique California rosé “has guts,” according to Geller, with medium acidity and a “long and bursting finish” of flavorful, ripe fruit. The medium-bodied wine would be a great com­panion to BBQ, oven-baked salmon in a rich sauce, or simply on its own as an aperitif – with or without some light snacks on the side. “Superb wine, grab it as it will go fast!”

 

Elvi Vina Encina Rosa. This light- to medium-bodied Spanish rosé is redolent of fresh ripe black cherries, papaya, forest berries, and rose petals. On the palate are enticing notes of cherries, papaya, guava, and peaches, with a lingering finish of dried cranberries. Medium-plus acidity is ever-present but not heavy or ponderous. “An impressive effort, especially considering the price,” Geller says.

 

Sainte-Béatrice Instant B. Very light on the palate and the nose, this Provincial rosé delivers nice acidity with notes of fresh berries and has a very pleasant light color. Geller notes that this entry-level wine shows Château Roubine’s ability to make quality rosé at every price point.

 

Shiloh Rosé. Bright raspberry red in color, Shilo Rosé has a nice nose of apricot, yogurt, ripe strawberries, cherries, and cream. The Israeli wine is medium in body with notes of strawberries, cantaloupe, grapefruit, and peach. Medium in acidity with a long finish, this well-made wine features soft and inviting tannins and is meant to be enjoyed with food.

Other standouts include:

 

Or Haganuz, Amuka Rosé (Galil, Israel)

Complex with notes of strawberries, peaches, red plums, and stony minerals. Medium body with good acidity.

 

Tabor, Adama, Barbera Rosé (Galil, Israel)

Refreshing, light body with excellent balance between fruit and acidity and a touch of miner­ality. Low in alcohol, pleasant drinking.

 

Psagot Rosé (Judean Hills, Israel)

Dry cherries and strong fruit flavors with a full body and good long finish. Perfect for chicken or salmon.

 

Ramon Cardova Rosado (Rioja, Spain)

Elegant and fresh, an amazing well-balanced wine for light dishes. Zesty red fruit with peach, cantaloupe, saline minerals with spicy notes.

 

Vitkin Rosé (Judean Hills, Israel)

Refreshing notes of cherry blossom, strawberry, currents, and earthy minerals. Mouth-watering acidity. Perfect for sushi or grilled chicken.

 

Roubine La Vie en Rose (Côtes de Provence, France)

Light-bodied with hints of honeysuckle and minerals, wonderful acidity and tannins. A serious wine with complex flavors by a serious winery.

 

Domaine du Castel, Rosé du Castel (Judean Hills, Israel)

Light, refined, and delicate highlighting summer fruits and minerals. Great acidity and even complexity. One of the best in category. Very limited supply.

 

Château Roubine, Cru Classé (Côtes de Provence, France)

Vibrant and light-bodied with a pleasant soft smell of sweet meadow flowers. Light in tannin, then grows more complex as it opens up. Perfect for quaffing or with food.

 

Yatir Rosé (Judean Hills, Israel)

Intriguing and fragrant, revealing notes of honeysuckle, lavender, fruits, and chalky minerals. Bracing acidity and a long finish. Good with food or on its own.

 

Les Lauriers des Barons Edmond & Benja­min de Rothschild, Rosé (Bordeaux, France)

Completely dry with fresh acidity. Hints of white flowers and herbaceous aromas. Medium-bodied, notes of sweet lemon. Ideal with light, delicate white fish.

 

Covenant, Red C, Rosé (California)

Clean old-world style and quite lively. A touch of sweet blood orange and lemons. Some tannins but not dominant. Quite well-structured with a medium body and medium to short finish.

 

Jezreel Valley, Rosé (Galil, Israel)

Ripe raspberries and tart berries on the palate, followed by watermelon and black cherries. Great minerals, high acidity, long finish. Pair with heavy, oily salmon or sea bass.

 

Flam Rosé (Israel)

Fresh nose of summer and stone fruits. Light to medium in weight with good acidity. Well balanced with a refreshing finish.

 

Goose Bay Blanc De Pinot Noir (New Zealand)

Heavier than the average rosé, perfectly balanced with a slightly acidic finish. Bursting with red berry. Good for rich fish and poultry.

 

Chateau Maime (Côtes de Provence, France)

Lightly perfumed, light in body with good mineral notes. Well-balanced. Serve ice cold with lighter fare or as a cocktail wine.

 

Peraj Petita Rosat (Catalonia, Spain)

Slightly sweet red fruit notes including pink grapefruit and citrus pith. Sweet smell. For immediate drinking.

 

 

About Royal Wine/Kedem

Founded in 1848, Royal Wine Corp. has been owned and operated in the United States by the Herzog family, whose winemaking roots go back eight generations to its origin in Czechoslovakia. Today, Royal Wine’s portfolio of domestic and international wines range from traditional wine producing regions of France, Italy and Spain, as well as Israel, New Zealand and Argentina.

Additionally, Royal Wine Corp.’s spirit and liqueur portfolio offer some of the most sought-after scotches, bourbons, tequilas and vodkas as well as hard to find specialty items such as flavored brandies and liqueurs. The company owns and operates the Kedem Winery in upstate New York, as well as Herzog Wine Cellars in Oxnard, California, a state-of-the-art-facility featuring guided wine tours, a fully staffed modern tasting room, gift shop and catering facilities. Additionally, the winery houses the award-winning restaurant Tierra Sur, serving the finest, Mediterranean-inspired, contemporary Californian Cuisine.

All wines and spirits in the Royal Wine Corp. portfolio are certified OU Kosher. Follow Royal Wine Corp on FB at https://www.facebook.com/RoyalWineCorp/ and @royalwinecorp.

Press releases are generated outside of Spirited magazine and the information contained does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Spirited or its parent company, Sonoma Media Investments.