This is this time of year again: temperatures are going up, new rooftop bars are opening across the city, restaurants propose an extended selection of rosé wines, and the Hamptons are getting afraid of running (again) out of rosé!
America loves rosé. It’s the fastest growing wine category in the U.S. and the favorite summer wine for 40% of ladies under 35.
The Big Apple loves rosé even more: did you know New Yorkers drink one fourth of all the rosé America imports?
I have always been a big fan of rosé wine because I grew up where the best French dry rosés are produced: the South of France! Therefore, I am very demanding and there is no way to trick me on it.
I share with you a selection of rosé wines you can easily find at your favorite bar or wine cellar across the U.S. They are all from Provence, the benchmark for dry rosé.
Cherry on the cake, they contain several times less residual sugar than a typical American blush wine, which tends to be semi-sweet.
These rosés won’t give you a hangover and you will learn how to pair them with your summer foodie cravings.
Miraval
Should I present Miraval, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s wine? Probably not. But did you know that Miraval is also one of the very best rosés from Provence?
In 2008, Brad and Angelina felt in love with the 1200-acre estate. They leased it for three years, with an option to buy it. How not to fall in love with the 1,200-acre estate nested in one of the most beautiful parts of Provence?
The chateau is surrounded by vineyards and olive trees. It has 35 rooms and it houses a famous recording studio where Pink Floyds recorded some tracks of their legendary album The Wall in 1979.
So, Brad and Angelina purchased the estate in 2011 for $60 million and partnered with the Perrin family, a big name in the Rhone Valley, to release two years later the first bottles of their new rosé, simply called Miraval.
The result of this Franco-American collaboration is amazing and Miraval is a great choice for ladies who like their rosé light, mineral, and fruity.
A little detail that matters, the shape of the bottle: stunning and elegant.
The perfect rosé to bring to your friends for an improvised picnic or a BBQ.
Ott Clos Mireille
Domaines Ott is probably the most acclaimed rosé producer in France. The winery exists since 1896 and is now owned by Louis Roederer, the famous champagne house.
Domaines Ott produces four rose wines in three different estates: Clos Mireille, Chateau de Selle, Chateau Romassan, and Ott by Ott, a more accessible blend bottled in Chateau de Selle.
Ott Clos Mireille is a star for a reason: it is fresh and fruity with a very pale color and aromas of white fruits (apricot, white peach). Crisp and mineral, you can drink it at any time of the day.
Therefore perfect for a brunch, an aperitif, or over a meal.
I like the elegant bottle designed by Rene Ott in 1930 and shaped like amphora used by Romans to store wine. So distinctive and so chic!
Whispering Angel
Sacha Lichine sold Chateau Prieuré-Lichine, a famous winery in the Margaux appellation he inherited from his father, to acquire Chateau d’Esclans in Provence in 2006. His ambition: produce a different and reference rosé.
One year later, Sacha Lichine launched Whispering Angel, an elite rosé beloved by a growing crowd of aficionados.
It is now the bestselling French wine in America and it represents one fifth of all the rosés from Provence imported in the U.S.
Medium bodied, structured, and dry, with a pale color, Whispering Angel is low in residual sugar. Therefore the perfect rosé if you are counting calories: ideal on “cheat days”, it won’t ruin your gym efforts!
I find it less fruity than other rosés like Miraval or Ott Clos Mireille but still clean and mineral.
Best over a meal and a good alternative to a white wine for pairing with a lobster roll or oysters this summer in Cape Cod.
The Palm
Driven by the amazing sucess of Whispering Angel, sales of Chateau d’Esclans in the U.S. increased by 58% in 2017, with a total of 3.8 million bottles imported.
To quench America’s growing appetite for rosé, target a younger audience, and propose a more accessible wine, Sacha Lichine has recently launched The Palm under the well-established brand Whispering Angel.
Why did they call it The Palm? Well, because of Palm Beach! So, expect a more approachable and festive rosé with a Miami lifestyle in the bottle: sun, beach, and parties!
The Palm is an entry level rosé targeting millennials. It is subsequently available in trendy bars and restaurants across New York, California, and Florida.
Aix
The winery was founded in 1880 and the domaine is one of the larger estates in the Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence appellation.
You can easily find Aix in upscale bars and restaurants. I first tasted it at the Setai Hotel in Miami Beach, where I enjoy sipping a glass of rosé in the outdoor patio.
Aix rosé is medium-bodied and structured, with a salmon pink color.
I like to pair it with Chinese or Indian food. It goes very well with spicy food such as chicken curry masala, spicy dumplings, and sushi.
And the winners are…
My favorite wine is Ott Clos Mireille, the quintessential rosé from Provence. This is also the lightest, smoothest, and most delicate rosé of this selection. Connoisseurs will absolutely love it, while those not yet initiated to rosé from Provence will be instantly converted.
I am also a big fan of Miraval, a serious contender. It’s a great rosé for the summer and I LOVE the shape of the bottle, feels like I am having a bottle of Ruinart champagne (my favorite bubbly). Enjoy Miraval even if you are not a star or a Brangelina fan, you won’t be disappointed.
You may also go for Whispering Angel if you like your rosé more structured. A good alternative for those who prefer to drink their rosé over a meal.