My friend Wendy is a devoted rosé drinker all year long. In the middle of a blizzard, she would be the first to pop open a bottle, yet she readily admits that a chilled glass of rosé is is even more enjoyable on a sweltering summer evening. “It refreshes me,” she says, “and goes with most foods effortlessly.”

I have to agree. The best rosés have crisp acidity and moderate levels of alcohol; they invigorate the palate without overpowering bright summer flavors. When paired well — light rosés with delicately flavored dishes and fuller-bodied styles with robust flavors — they can enliven everything from crisp salads and cool ceviches, to simply grilled fish and even smoky, grilled meats slathered with spicy barbecue sauce.

Mara Rudzinski, most recently beverage director at Manhattan’s Lafayette, and now managing director at Harlem’s soon-to-be newest hot spot, Contento, says that rosé hits the spot for so many reasons. “It can drink like a white wine but often has that plush red berry fruit to balance out the acidity,” she says. “For pairing with food, rosé opens up so many options because it usually has more of that weight, body, and fruit that whites sometimes fall short on, but that reds can overpower with.”

Wine specialist Yumilka Ortiz, most recently sommelier at Manhattan’s Marea, agrees that rosé, with its bright acidity, is an invigorating choice for food pairings, especially during the summer. “When I think of drinking a glass of rosé,” says Ortiz, “I immediately associate the thirst-quenching sensation of being chilled and my palate refreshed.”

Rosé Recommendations

Due to the current pandemic, the usual in-person tastings of newly-released rosés weren’t possible. Instead, the wines were sampled at home. One benefit of this new world we’re living in is that I could try them not only on their own, but also with food. Out of the 23 rosés tasted, below are the top eleven.

Note: All samples tasted for this article were still wines, not sparkling.

The Top Three

Domaine de Cala Rosé 2019. Country: France. Region: Provence. Grapes: Grenache 48%, Cinsault 35%, Rolle 6%, Syrah 5%, Carignan 4% and Grenache Blanc 2%. SRP: $18. Tasting notes: Don’t be fooled by the light color of this rosé. The wine bursts with flavors of strawberries, raspberries, cherries, lemons and dried herbs, and has a bright mouthwatering freshness. This is a rosé that can be enjoyed all evening long.

Read more about Domaine de Cala and the famous chef-owner’s recipe for Fish ‘A Day in Nice’ here.

Domaine Raimbault-Pineau Coteaux du Giennois, 2019. Country: France. Region: Loire Valley. Grapes: Pinot Noir 80%, Gamay 20%. SRP: $24. Tasting notes: A beautiful light pink, salmon color, the wine is gorgeous, salty and fresh. The beautiful salinity brings out all the red berry, citrus, and floral notes. Its long, lingering finish makes it a perfect pairing with barbecued meats such as Chili-Rubbed Baby Back Ribs. Delicious!

Tablas Creek Vineyard Patelin de Tablas Rosé, 2019. Country: USA. Region: Paso Robles. Grapes: Grenache 76%, Cinsault 19%, Syrah 5%, Tibouren 5%. SRP: $25. Tasting notes: Very aromatic! One sniff will take you away to a big bowl of fruit salad at a poolside picnic. The wine has a chalky mineral quality, with a touch of pleasing bitterness and a long, juicy finish. It will make you hungry from the first sip — enjoy it with seafood, pasta, and cheeses, or with lighter meat dishes like Spiced Pork Loin.

**Domaine de Cala’s rosé will transport you to Provence.**

**Proving that Loire can handle more than Sancerre and Cab Franc!**

**Tablas Creek’s Patelin de Tablas rosé and tomato soup, a great summer meal!**

Eight More Winners

Cavalchina Bardolino Chiaretto 2018. Country: Italy Region: Bardolino, Veneto (Lake Garda). Grapes: Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara. SRP: $15. Tasting notes: A beautiful pale salmon color, this rosé (called Chiaretto in this part of northern Italy) has subtle notes of strawberries and raspberries, a touch of salinity, and just the right amount of bitterness to offset its abundant fruit. I have yet to try Cavalchina’s 2019 rosé (I was given the 2018 to take home when I visited the winery last December), but the winery produces excellent white, red, and Chiaretto wines year after year. Read more about Chiaretto wine here.

Pasqua 11 Minutes Rosé 2019. Country: Italy. Region: Veneto (Lake Garda). Grapes: Corvina 50%, Trebbiano di Lugana 25%, Syrah 15%, Carmenère 10%. SRP: $16. Tasting notes: A pale salmony pink color with aromas of berries and summer peaches that linger on the palate. Light and crisp with a lot of food-enhancing salinity. Really nice! Try the 11 Minutes with Tiger Prawns with Vegetarian Pad Thai.

Interesting tidbit: According to Pasqua’s winemaker, 11 minutes is the ideal amount of time for the juice to have contact with the grape skins, hence the wine’s name.

Domaine Houchart Côtes de Provence Rosé 2019. Country: France. Region: Provence. Grapes: Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Mourvedre. SRP: $15 . Tasting notes: Medium salmony pink color, bursting with aromas and flavors of lemon and lime, red berries, and a touch of spice on the finish. A very nice, lighter style Provence rosé, wonderful with sushi or with Shrimp Hoison Lettuce Wraps.

Famille Perrin Côtes du Rhône Rosé 2019. Country: France. Region: Rhône Valley. Grapes: Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah. SRP: $11. Tasting notes: Light salmony pink with subtle aromas of stone fruits. Delicate on the palate, with flavors of strawberry and apple. A crisp, yet textured wine, perfect for summer picnics.

Planeta Rosé 2019. Country: Italy. Region: Sicily. Grapes: Nero d’Avola 50%, Syrah 50%. SRP: $19. Tasting notes: A light-style Provence rosé with fragrant aromas of raspberry, strawberries and white flowers. Aromas of sea breeze, along with a distinct salinity on the palate, brings out the wine’s pink grapefruit and watermelon notes.

Georges DuBoeuf Rosé 2019. Country: France. Region: Beaujolais. Grapes: Gamay 100%. SRP: $13. Tasting Notes: Beautiful pink color with a multitude of aromas: licorice, dried herbs, and red berries. Tastes of raspberries, strawberries and lemon creamsicle, with a hint of pleasant bitterness mid-palate. The flavors linger on the palate, a perfect combination of acidity, and fruit. This wine can easily pair with grilled fish and meats.

Chateau Miraval 2019. Country: France. Region: Provence. Grapes: Grenache 50%, Cinsault 35%, Syrah 10%, Tibouren 5%. SRP: $24. Tasting notes: A beautiful, light salmony pink color with aromas of red berries and floral notes. On the palate, the mouthfeel is round, yet with subtle flavors, including a hint of fennel. A mouthwatering Provence rosé — a great accompaniment to lobster salad.

Ehlers Estate Sylviane Rosé 2019. Country: USA. Region: Napa Valley. Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon 60%, Cabernet Franc 40%. SRP: $32. Tasting notes: This bright, dark pink rosé may be slightly shy with its aromas, yet it packs a delicious punch of strong juicy flavors from the first sip: raspberry jam, honeydew melon, and juicy ripe peach. With crisp salinity and a long finish, this big, fruity, gastronomic (as the French say) rosé will wow you and pairs well with hearty summer dishes like BBQ Shortribs or Grilled Navarra Style Ribeye Steaks.