Rosé
Rosé, in its simplest terms, is wine made from red wine grapes with little or no skin contact, thereby minimizing the amount of tannin and color extraction from the grapes. Classic Rosés come from the South of France, and are light, crisp, dry, and full of acidity. Rosé is also available in a fruity, sweeter style, but our focus is on the dry style. Since the Sierra Foothills is so ideal for varieties that make excellent Rosé, such as Grenache, Syrah, and Tempranillo, and since the cooling influences help to maintain acidity in the grapes, Foothills Rosés are proving to be some of the best in the New World.
FOOTHILLS WINO ROSÉ OF THE YEAR
$22
This Rosato of Sangiovese made by the saignée method surprises with its depth and intensity. We are typically not a fan of saignée rosés (a method where delicate juice of a red wine is bled off early during the processing of the red wine) because they often lack the desired acidity. However, this wine convinced us there are some serious exceptions, and perhaps the Sangiovese grape with its natural acidity does indeed made great saignée rosés. Rainier cherries, strawberries, red flowers, and a delightful earthiness dance in the nose, and the acidity tingles the palate. Altogether this is an amazing rosé that is both complex and refreshing.
OTHER FAVORITE FOOTHILLS ROSÉS
This Rosato of Sangiovese made by the saignée method surprises with its depth and intensity. We are typically not a fan of saignée rosés (a method where delicate juice of a red wine is bled off early during the processing of the red wine) because they often lack the desired acidity. However, this wine convinced us there are some serious exceptions, and perhaps the Sangiovese grape with its natural acidity does indeed made great saignée rosés. Rainier cherries, strawberries, red flowers, and a delightful earthiness dance in the nose, and the acidity tingles the palate. Altogether this is an amazing rosé that is both complex and refreshing.
$22
Strawberries, watermelon rind, rose, and a hint of caramel contribute to this perfectly balanced wine with a luxurious mouthfeel. This is the quintessential example of South of France style Foothills rose.
$28
A unique blend of Primativo and Tempranillo, this rosé hits you with a 1,2 punch. Fresh, tart strawberries hit you first and then give way to a burst of florals and minerality. Dry, crisp, and clean, this wine is an ideal poolside sipper.
$26
Not surprising since they are one of our favorite producers, Amador Cellars scores with this rosé that is an estate field blend predominantly of Grenache. Strawberries, red cherries, and watermelon-flavored jolly rancher join rose petals on the nose. The wine is clean, but a little bit of interesting funkiness comes out, and has delightfully bright acidity.
$22
This Tavel-style blend of several Rhone varieties offers cherries, stone fruit, and herbal notes on the nose with some nutty minerality on the palate and just a tiny, pleasant hint of celery stalk that adds character and complexity.
$26
This beautiful blend of Grenache, Mourvedre, Counoise, and Cinsault is complex and creamy with a wonderfully pleasing texture and refreshing acidity.