Forget the sweet swill, try a well-crafted rosé

Back in June, we wrote about a number of rosés that would be perfect for summer sipping. Since then, we have seen an absolute deluge of pink wines coming from Pacific Northwest wineries — so many that we decided we’d better put the spotlight back on this exciting and growing category.

For those who decided they don’t like rosés, perhaps that was because you had a less-than-pleasant experience with sickly sweet blushes that have dotted the California wine landscape — typically wines that have besmirched Zinfandel’s good name.

Fortunately, what we see coming from most Northwest wineries are bright, well-crafted wines that are delicious on their own, as well as superb with a broad variety of cuisine.

Typically, these rosés reveal aromas of juicy red fruit — strawberry, cherry, cranberry, raspberry or pomegranate — along with spices, sweet herbs and more. They are meant to be enjoyed in their youth, so pick up a few bottles and toss them in the fridge so they are ready at a moment’s notice.

Look for these at your favorite wine merchant or contact the wineries directly.

Jones of Washington 2013 Rosé of Syrah, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $13: Dazzling color brings out aromas of fresh-picked Rainier cherry, pomegranate, strawberry fruit leather and river rock. Mouthwatering flavors of cherries and cranberries are backed by a touch of residual sugar (1.1 percent) that’s skillfully balanced. (13.2 percent)

Stoller Family Estate 2013 Pinot Noir Rosé, Dundee Hills, $20: Fresh strawberry, raspberry, dusty peach, cherry yogurt and spun sugar in the nose give way to bright, dry and refreshing flavors of raspberry, cranberry, apricot and white strawberry. Suggested pairings range from salmon to roasted duck, vegetarian fare and hard cheeses. (12.5 percent)

Waterbrook Winery 2013 Sangiovese Rosé, Columbia Valley, $13: This starts with aromas of dusty strawberry, cranberry and peach. The approach is lively with high-toned red fruit flavors such as cranberry, pie cherry, pomegranate and white strawberry. It is ideal with summer salads, seafood off the grill and broasted chicken. (11.9 percent)

Elk Cove Vineyards 2013 Pinot Noir Rosé, Willamette Valley, $16: Aromas akin to dusty Bing cherry, strawberry and cranberry juice are followed by delicate flavors of pink raspberry and white strawberry. This mouthwatering rosé could lure you to buy by the case. (13 percent)

Columbia Winery 2013 Grenache Rosé, Horse Heaven Hills, $24: The aromatic profile hints at bright red fruit such as dusty Rainier cherry, plum juice and light raspberry. On the attack, it’s brisk and bone dry with Montmorency cherry, plum and fresh cranberry, backed by cherry-skin tannin. This is available only at Columbia Winery’s tasting room in Woodinville. (13.9 percent)

Mercer Wine Estates 2013 Sadie Louise Rosé, Horse Heaven Hills, $13: This fun, young and dry pink opens with nose-tickling aromas of pink grapefruit, Rainier cherry, strawberry, tangerine and peach fuzz followed by bright flavors of strawberry/rhubarb compote and red currants. Enjoy with char-grilled lamb burgers. (13 percent)

Milbrandt Vineyards 2013 Traditions Rosé, Columbia Valley, $13: A delightful and colorful pink wine, this offers waves of aromas and flavors, including strawberry taffy, cranberry juice, peach fuzz and red currant, backed by blood orange and cranberry. (14.7 percent)

Abacela 2013 Estate Grenache Rosé, Umpqua Valley, $17: Aromas of cotton candy, cranberry, fresh peach and lime zest lead to racy flavors of strawberry and cranberry, backed by refreshing acidity and a finish of orange. Pair with roasted chicken or fish tacos with fruit salsa. (13.5 percent)

L’Ecole No. 41 2013 Alder Ridge Vineyard Grenache Rosé, Horse Heaven Hills, $19: This bright, elegant wine opens with aromas of strawberry, watermelon, apricot and lavender, followed by crisp, dry flavors that hint at Rainier cherry, raspberry, apple and ripe strawberry. (14.5 percent)

Eric Degerman and Andy Perdue run Great Northwest Wine, a news and information company. Listen to their weekly podcast on iTunes or at www.greatnorthwestwine.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Brandon Hailey of Cytrus, center, plays the saxophone during a headlining show at Madam Lou’s on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood-based funk octet Cytrus has the juice

Resilience and brotherhood take center stage with ‘friends-first’ band.

FILE - In this April 11, 2014 file photo, Neko Case performs at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif. Fire investigators are looking for the cause of a fire on Monday, Sept. 18, 2017, that heavily damaged Case’s 225-year-old Vermont home. There were no injuries, though a barn was destroyed. It took firefighters two hours to extinguish the blaze. (Photo by Scott Roth/Invision/AP, File)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Singer-songwriter Neko Case, an indie music icon from Tacoma, performs Sunday in Edmonds.

Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli
Tangier’s market boasts piles of fruits, veggies, and olives, countless varieties of bread, and nonperishables, like clothing and electronics.
Rick Steves on the cultural kaleidoscope of Tangier in Morocco

Walking through the city, I think to myself, “How could anyone be in southern Spain — so close — and not hop over to experience this wonderland?”

chris elliott.
Vrbo promised to cover her rental bill in Hawaii, so why won’t it?

When Cheryl Mander’s Vrbo rental in Hawaii is uninhabitable, the rental platform agrees to cover her new accommodations. But then it backs out. What happened?

The Moonlight Swing Orchestra will play classic sounds of the Big Band Era on April 21 in Everett. (submitted photo)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Relive the Big Band Era at the Port Gardner Music Society’s final concert of the season in Everett.

2024 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport AWD (Honda)
2024 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport AWD

Honda cedes big boy pickup trucks to the likes of Ford, Dodge… Continue reading

Would you want to give something as elaborate as this a name as mundane as “bread box”? A French Provincial piece practically demands the French name panetiere.
A panetiere isn’t your modern bread box. It’s a treasure of French culture

This elaborately carved French antique may be old, but it’s still capable of keeping its leavened contents perfectly fresh.

(Judy Newton / Great Plant Picks)
Great Plant Pick: Mouse plant

What: Arisarum proboscideum, also known as mouse plant, is an herbaceous woodland… Continue reading

Bright green Japanese maple leaves are illuminated by spring sunlight. (Getty Images)
Confessions of a ‘plantophile’: I’m a bit of a junky for Japanese maples

In fact, my addiction to these glorious, all-season specimens seems to be contagious. Fortunately, there’s no known cure.

2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 Limited (Hyundai)
2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 Limited

The 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 Limited is a sporty, all-electric, all-wheel drive sedan that will quickly win your heart.

The 2024 Dodge Hornet R/T hybrid’s face has the twin red lines signifying the brand’s focus on performance. (Dodge)
2024 Hornet R/T is first electrified performance vehicle from Dodge

The all-new compact SUV travels 32 miles on pure electric power, and up to 360 miles in hybrid mode.

Don’t blow a bundle on glass supposedly made by the Henry William Stiegel

Why? Faked signatures, reused molds and imitated styles can make it unclear who actually made any given piece of glass.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.