Rosé season

That's rosé, as in row-say. The delicious,blush pink-colored wine that makes every summer afternoon perfect. It's so intoxicatingly good that I don't mind not drinking it all winter, and waiting 6 long, cold months to uncork (or unscrew, in some cases) a bottle. Much like drinking a hearty cab in a sweater in front of a fire just feels right, sipping a slightly chilled glass of rose on a patio overlooking a body of water, with nothing but blue skies and smiles all around is beyond. Sure, I love white wines, and summer brews and margaritas and mojitos and sangria and all the wonderful drinks that satiate the palette during the hot summer months. But, when the taste of strawberry, ripe cherry, sophistication and refreshment hit your lips, you'll care not about whatever is going on around you - be it a neighbor loudly mowing the lawn or a over-chatty woman at the next table over. Rather, you'll be dreaming of St. Tropez, a sailboat, and a cabana boy named Sven. A glass makes anywhere you are, better. Anyone you're with, more interesting. Anyone you're looking at, more attractive. Really, there's no downside to drinking a glass of Rose. 

Oh, the best part? Don't worry about that 4th glass. Rose is the best kind of drunk. Yes, there will be a headache later. Isn't there always? But, while in the rose haze, you'll be the nicest, friendly, most lovable, interesting drunk in 6 states. Rose somehow has a calming, beautifying affect, once consumed. So go ahead. Fill 'er up and top it off. Not even a male wearing a shirt unbuttoned one too many to show his well-groomed chest hair and gold-braided necklace, hitting on you can spoil this high.

If you fear it, or "don't like it", then get the thought that it is White Zinfandel out of your skull. It is most certainly not. White Zinfandel is left over, bottom of the barrel grapes mixed with sugar.  Great. Glad we got that out of the way.

Some of my favorites:

Les Jamelles Cinsault Rose - at $9 a bottle, you can't afford to go the summer without having a bottle on hand at all times. No Saturday on the patio is complete without a bottle of this. Really... don't try it. 

FFC, Sophia Rose - Francis knows wine like he knows the Vietnamese jungle, and this is no exception. Plus, you totally feel like you've summoned the spirit of Sofia Coppolla when you drink it. So be aloof and pretentious. It's perfect, subtle, clean, and modern.

Crios Rose of Malbec: Seriously.... it's usually always right around $10 a bottle and will blow your mind. You'll want to drink it all immediately. But don't. Savor it. And keep it a good temp - chilled, not cold. Because it's a malbec, it's more spicy than sweet, as a lot of Rose's are. A lovely diversion on a Sunday afternoon. 

If you have me over for dinner, cheese, or conversation this summer, have a bottle of any of these on hand and see what happens. It might turn out to be one of the greatest afternoon into evenings of your life.

Comments

[Mrs. Dirty]

I had my first glass of rosé with you, and JBrown, in D.C. I've been a devoted drinker ever since - we'll share a few bottles in two weeks!