Rosé wine drinking season is already in full swing here in New York and at the wine shop where I work, rosés are flying off the shelves. Many consumers still have the notion that rosé wines are sweet, but most of the better ones being produced today range from dry and crisp with subtle fruit flavors to fuller bodied, rounder and more fruit forward, but still dry.

Trade tastings of the current vintage release (2015) began in February of this year. I've had the chance over the past four months to taste many rosés from all over the world. For this post I'm focusing on French rosés which tend to be very crisp with a steely minerality, fresh subtle fruit flavors and light bodied. These wines are refreshing and food-friendly, perfect for hot summer days and nights. They are also elegant wines for when you feel like something with a little more weight than most white but not as heavy as a red.

Below are my favorite of the 2015s, the ones I will be sipping and sharing with family and friends poolside, beach-side, inside and just about everywhere. Happy Summer of 2016!!

From Provence:

Jean-Francois Ott with his bottle of Domaine Ott Chateau Romassan rose

Barton & Guestier Cotes de Provence Rosé - An aromatic nose of fresh red fruits and peach with a rich mouthfeel. Delicate, crisp flavors on the palate. Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault ($11-17)
Domaine Houchart Cotes de Provence Rosé - Aromas of citrus and strawberries precede flavors of red berries, watermelon and mineral notes. Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Mourvedre ($11-17)
Mimi En Provence Grande Reserve Cotes de Provence Rosé - a light, refreshing wine with red berry fruit flavors which linger on the palate. Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah ($12-17)
Mirabeau Cotes de Provence Rosé - A highly aromatic, classic pale Provence rosé with wild strawberry, red cherry and raspberry on the nose and palate. Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah ($12-19)
Chateau D'Esclans Whispering Angel Cotes de Provence Rosé - Ripe red fruits with hints of minerals and flowers. Very crisp, delicate and light on the palate. Grenache, Rolle, Cinsault, Syrah ($12-24)
Domaine St. Aix "Aix" Rosé - Soft, ripe berries on the nose and palate with crisp acidity. Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault ($16-19)
Vie Vite Cotes de Provence Rosé - A fresh and delicate aroma of cherries and strawberries on the palate. A very light and refreshing wine for hot summer days and nights. Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah, Carignan ($16-23)
Chateau Margui Rosé - A complex and vivacious wine with classic Provence fruit and mineral flavors. Cinsault, Syrah, Cabernet-Sauvignon, Vermentino. ($18-19)
La Chapelle Gordonne Cotes de Provence Rosé - A well balanced wine with fresh ripe berry flavors on the nose and palate with a soft finish of great length. Grenache, Syrah ($18-25)
Chateau Miraval Cotes de Provence Rosé "Pitt-Jolie Perrin" - a classic Provence rosé with stony minerality. Some hints of spice and refreshing acidity. Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah, Rolle. ($22-28)
Chateau de Pibarnon Bandol Rosé - A classic Bandol rosé Powerful but graceful and full of well balanced licorice and saline flavors. Mourvedre, Cinsault ($25-38)
Gros Noré Bandol Provence - A great intensity to the fruit on both the nose and palate but with great finesse and balance. A truly delicious rose to have with all kinds of food. Mourvedre, Cinsault, Grenache ($27-35)
Domaine de Terrebrune Bandol Rosé - Soft and subtle on the palate with lots of strawberry and cherry flavors as well as stony minerality and a finish that lingers for a long time. This rosé drinks well now or can age 10-20 years! 100% Mourvedre ($27-38)
Domaines Ott Chateau Romassan Bandol Rosé - Quite delicate with a touch of saltiness. A soft and crisp rosé with subtle tropical fruit flavors. Mourvedre, Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah ($45-55)

From Rhone:

Chene Bleu Rosé - A crisp, refreshing wine with floral aromatics and bright summer fruits on the palate. The finish is dry and delicate. Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault ($30-40)

From Languedoc:

Gerard Bertrand Cote des Rosés - a crisp, refreshing wine full of delicious berry and grapefruit flavors with a lingering finish reminiscent of candy. 100% Grenache. ($13-18)
Puech-Haut Prestige Rosé - Lots of bright cherry and raspberry fruit on the nose but with lean, mineral qualities on the palate. Lingering cake-like flavors for the finish. Cinsault and Grenache ($17-25)

From Sancere, Loire Valley:

Pascal Jolivet Sancerre Rosé - Bright, high-toned red fruits on the nose and palate. Full of elegance and subtlety. 100% Pinot Noir. ($15-22)

From Beaujolais:

De La Chaize Beaujolais Rosé - Beautiful aromas of raspberry and red currant on the nose with a delicate, flowery sensation on the palate. 100% Gamay ($20)

From Corsica:

Clos Canarelli Rosé - A very bright and fresh, certified organic wine with subtle fruit flavors. Made from Sciaccarellu, Niellucciu and grenache ($33-42)