With summer in full swing, there’s nothing that screams “I need a break from my life” like a crisp, refreshing bottle of rosé. We did A LOT of tasting over the past few weeks, and came up with the below options for every mood, vibe, and crowd. It’s a tough job, but somebody’s gotta do it.
Banfi 2019 Centine Rosé, Tuscany
Vinified for two weeks in stainless steel tanks, this bottle is clean and crisp, with notes of strawberry and raspberry. It’s definitely an easy bottle to drink on its own as an aperitif, but also would pair well with salads, vegetable-forward appetizers, and poultry or fish. We love a female operated wine biz, and Banfi Wines is known for its international footprint, importing and producing wines in Italy, Chile, and the U.S.
Vibe check: At $15, this is the perfect bottle to throw in your New Yorker tote bag and bring to a friend’s backyard barbecue where no one is paying attention to what you brought to drink.
Shop: Banfi Centine Rosé
Robert Mondavi 2020 Rosé, Napa Valley
This 100% Pinot Noir rosé from Napa Valley is fruit forward, with bright berry notes and undertones of grapefruit and mango, which provides a pleasing amount of acidity. A gorgeous millennial pink, this wine is light, but still substantial enough to pair with appetizers or a flaky white fish entree.
Vibe check: At a $30 price point and household name recognition, it’s a great option to bring to your boyfriend’s parent’s house for dinner next week.
Shop: Robert Mondavi Rosé
Sonoma Cutrer 2021 Rosé, Russian River Valley
While the Sonoma Cutrer brand may be known primarily for its buttery Chardonnays and well-balanced Pinot Noirs, this rosé really lives up to the reputation of its house. Strong citrus flavors of blood orange and grapefruit are counterbalanced by rich strawberries and a light florality for an excellent, easy drinking wine that you can sip through late September.
Vibe check: This is the perfect addition to a book club picnic in Prospect Park with your girls.
Shop: Sonoma Cutrer Rosé
Whispering Angel 2021 Rosé, Northfork, Long Island
As the bestselling rosé in the United States, Whispering Angel continually lives up to its 15-year hype with each emerging vintage. Approachable yet elegant, fruit forward with a nice balance of acidity, this bottle pairs well with food, yet is perfect on its own. There’s a reason why Whispering Angel is a standard bearer for rosé nationwide.
Vibe check: Rough work day? Great work day? This one’s for you, babe.
Shop: Whispering Angel Rosé
BABE 100 Sparkling Rosé
Speaking of Babes, this canned line of roses from meme gawd extraordinaire @TheFatJew recently rolled out a new offering called Babe 100, where every can of sparkling rosé is only 100 calories. Babe 100 allows the BABE brand to compete in the hard seltzer category, while staying true to their brand guidelines: fun, fresh, and fantastic.
Vibe Check: Best paired with a beach. We prefer Rockaway!
Shop: Babe Rosé
Fleurs de Prairie 2021, Languedoc, France
Light, bright, and refreshing, this bottle hails from the Languedoc region in the South of France, and its chic elegance is present in every sip. With subtle hints of tropical fruit and a crisp, acidic finish, this wine is perfect as an aperitif or paired with salads or raw bar. The varietal composition on this (Grenache Noir, Syrah, Carignan, Cinsault, and Mourvedre) was especially interesting considering how light it is in color and on the palette, a nod to winemaker Florence Delabre’s delicate balancing act. Plus, we stan a female winemaker.
Vibe Check: This elegant bottle would be the perfect accompaniment to catching up on episodes of Emily in Paris…if that’s your thing.
Shop: Fleurs de Prairie Rosé
Josh Cellars Rosé, California
This crisp yet decadent still rosé boasts strong flavors of strawberries, citrus, and stone fruits, with a nice acidity to balance out the fruitiness – making for a very even keeled wine. The recognizable label of Josh makes it very approachable, as does the price point of $15 per bottle.
Vibe Check: An evergreen bottle of rosé that is good anytime, any place. We recommend opening one up right now.
Shop: Josh Rosé
Günther Schlink Pinot Noir Rosé 2021, Nahe, Germany
The Gunther Schlink is a great option for a curious wine drinker looking to get outside of their comfort zone. It’s complex and a bit funky on the palette, which juxtaposes its supreme drinkability, and at $13 a bottle, is an excellent price point for trying something new.
Vibe Check: Stock up on this for your best friend’s Midsommar-themed rooftop party
Shop: Günther Schlink Rosé
Leitz 2020 Pinot Noir Rosé, Johannisburg, Germany
Crisp and light with notes of limestone and a palette cleansing minerality, this fun bottle hails from the Rheingau region of Germany and consists of 100% Pinot Noir grapes that are macerated for three hours before they’re pressed, resulting in a lightly fruity flavor with delicate acid undertones.
Vibe Check: A perfect option for your nerdy wine friend who “loves a Pinot Gris from Alsace”.
Shop: Leitz Rosé
Mateus Rosé, 2021, Portugal
While you don’t typically see a lot of rosés out of Portugal, this unique, eye-catching bottle makes an excellent addition to your home bar. It’s a straightforward wine, with light strawberry and raspberry notes, and is a lovely pre-meal aperitif. A bonus collab was recently undertaken by both Mateus and Paint Box, a chic NYC-based beauty brand with a brick and mortar on the Upper East Side.
Vibe Check: Recently drank this at a friend’s house in the Catskills, highly recommend doing
the same!
Shop: Mateus Rosé
