It’s time for the much-anticipated, quasi-annual rosé run-down!
This year, I found a new go-to rosé:
C’est Trop Rosé ($16.95)
This is a classic south-of-France, easy-drinking rosé. This wine is made by the Maîtres Vignerons de la Presqu’Île de Saint-Tropez, a consortium of 11 estates and 3 major wine cellars in the heart of Provence (including Mas de Pampelonne, whose rosé I reviewed a few years back). C’est Trop is a blend of grenache, syrah, merlot and carignan. The first sip is mouth-watering perfection thanks to great acidityAcidity is an important part of a wine’s structure that prevents a wine from being “flabby”. It’s what gives you that tingling sensation on your tongue and makes you salivate.... More, with flavour notes of watermelon, strawberry, white peach and a hint of citrus. There is a bit of anise and salinity on the finishThe finish is a descriptor of how long a wine’s flavour sticks around after it leaves your mouth. You often hear wine descriptions saying short, medium, or long/lingering finish, and... More that makes this one oh-so sippable. “C’est trop” translates to “too much,” but I think it’s just right for me!
Need more options?
Here are some other rosés that are currently on sale in Vintages.
Gérard Bertrand Côte des Roses Rosé (on sale for $17.95)
Sure, you could buy this beautiful wine just to reuse the bottle afterwards! But it’s not just the packaging that counts—the contents are great, too. Extra dry (2 g/L of sugar), this blend of grenache, cinsault and syrah bursts with red berries and pear, balanced with great acidityAcidity is an important part of a wine’s structure that prevents a wine from being “flabby”. It’s what gives you that tingling sensation on your tongue and makes you salivate.... More. You really can’t go wrong with a rosé from the south of France! There’s a reason this one is a Vintages Essential. It also comes in a cute half-size format (375 mL).
Remember when the glass enclosure first came out? I will never forget the first time I attempted to open one of these… with a corkscrew! My husband still makes fun of me for it nearly a decade later.
Miraval Rosé (on sale for $23.95)
That’s right. This is the winery that used to be owned by the couple formerly known as Brangelina. And that name power is pretty much what you’re paying for with this rosé. I wrote all about it on my post about the complexities of wine pricing.
Mel’s advice: the $20 Perrin Studio By Miraval rosé is a very suitable substitute for a rosé made in a similar style by the very same winemaker. It may be time for a showdown!! Who’s with me?
Louis Bouillot Perle d’Aurore Brut Rosé Crémant de Bourgogne (on sale for $23.95)
Years ago, one of the participants at the Wining with Mel bubbly happy hour was drinking this lovely crémant. I’d never heard of it before, but started buying it whenever I saw it at the LCBO. Even at the regular price, it’s an amazing deal for a traditional-style sparkling wine. And the good news is that it goes on sale fairly often. A blend of pinot noir, gamay and chardonnay, this wonderful bubbly rosé from Burgundy is simultaneously elegant and fun, dry with a dash of sweetness, and gorgeous notes of strawberry, toast, nuttiness and a hint of earthy mushroom (tasty). A must with a cheese and charcuterie board.
If you’re wondering what the heck crémant is, you can read about it here:
So far, these wine recommendations have revealed some things about my geographical rosé preferences (south of France, in homage to my Provençal roots), so now let’s bring it closer to home.
Benjamin Bridge Nova 7 (on sale for $22.95)
To me, the release of Nova 7 heralds the true start of summer. I visited this Nova Scotia winery back in 2016, when it was just starting to make a name for itself in the wine world. You can see my review of it in the link above. I haven’t tried it in a few years, so you can guess what I’ll be buying on my next LCBO run!
Also, a few days ago, Benjamin Bridge released the Nova 7 Frosé, essentially a rosé slushy. Sounds right up my alley! Sadly it is only available in Nova Scotia for now. Our provincial governments need to hurry up and loosen interprovincial liquor trade rules so we can get this product ASAP!!
Rosé food pairings
These light, dry, refreshing and balanced rosés are all excellent candidates for pairing with fresh summer salads (salade niçoise anyone?), charcuterie boards with olives (the acidityAcidity is an important part of a wine’s structure that prevents a wine from being “flabby”. It’s what gives you that tingling sensation on your tongue and makes you salivate.... More in the wine balances out the saltiness of the olives and cured meats), or fish and seafood dishes (perhaps a shrimp risotto). It’s also great with vegetarian fare. Basically, think of foods you’d eat on swelteringly hot days, or imagine what you might eat in the south of France in August. These wines are made for summer picnics, sipping by the pool or at the beach, or even sitting around a good ol’ campfire.
Have you found your go-to summer rosé yet? Let me know in the comments! Bonus points if it’s local!
Happy wining!
Disclaimer: No, I don’t work for / have a partnership with the LCBO. I am just someone who spends a lot of time and money there! My number one priority is to ensure YOU drink good wine at a great price. Sale ends August 17.
Rosé recommendations from years past
- 2020 rosé wine recommendations
- 2016 rosé wine recommendations
- One of my very first rosé posts: 2015 pig roast pairings
- Bonus from the archives: How Rosé Wines are Made
Announcement
I’ll be hosting another wine tasting at Mallard’s Milk Bar in Arnprior on August 13th!
We’ll be tasting a white and rosé natural wine from Fred Wines in Niagara and two red wines from Traynor Vineyard in Prince Edward County! Local wines for the win!
If you are in the Ottawa Valley and you’re interested, tickets are available directly from Mallards Milk Bar, or you can get in touch with me for more details.
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