In the pink for Independence Day

It’s officially summer, and the heat is on. As Fourth of July weekend approaches, it’s time to break out the refreshing rosé.

There’s no question you can find some wonderful rosés from abroad, led by the very popular bottlings from Provence and the rest of southern France. But for Independence Day and beyond, here are half a dozen great choices from the U.S.

Although rosé can be made from any red grape, most of the best pink wines I’ve tasted this year have been made from pinot noir. For example, there’s the 2020 Red Car Rosé of Pinot Noir ($28) from the Sonoma Coast. The wine, which is a very pale rose-gold color, is lean and racy, with delicate strawberry fruit and nice tension.

From the Russian River Valley, the 2020 Sonoma-Cutrer Rosé of Pinot Noir ($25) is zippy and persistent, with pretty strawberry fruit and hints of lemon and apple peel. The 2020 Diora “La Belle Fête” Rosé of Pinot Noir ($20) hails from Monterey; it’s a fresh wine with luscious berry, a citrus note and a hint of green apple.

Oregon’s Willamette Valley is pinot noir country, and some of that pinot is turned into rosé, like the 2020 Argyle Rosé of Pinot Noir ($20). The wine is a pretty pink color, with very floral aromas and flavors of bright berry, rose petals and a hint of dried thyme.

If your tastes run to the blends of southern France, the 2020 Bonny Doon Vin Gris de Cigare ($15) is a good choice. This blend is dominated by grenache noir and grenache blanc; the wine has a pale salmon color, bright cherry and strawberry flavors and enough structure to pair well with food.

Finally, here’s a rosé made from a grape that’s generally turned into a white wine: pinot gris. Pinot gris skins actually have some color and can impart that hue to the wine. The 2020 Julia’s Dazzle Pinot Gris Rosé ($18) from Washington’s Columbia Valley has fresh, fruity aromas and flavors of delicate wild strawberry, golden apple and white peach.

 

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