A Rosé By Any Other Name

During the warm summer months, I love sharing a glass of wine with friends and family in our backyard. With the heat, a cold white wine seems appropriate, but sometimes I want a little more complexity like a red wine. My solution? A Rosé. I think there is just something so inviting, slightly feminine, and always fun about a pink drink. Now, I'm not talking about "White Zin" here. I'm referring to a delightful blend of red and white grapes, resulting in an easy-on-the-eyes glass of wine. Most Rosés vary in sweetness, with some resulting in a dry finish and others slightly sweet on the palate. Perfect with BBQ, spicy foods, or on its own, a chilled Rose is the perfect way to cool things down. 

Pink Truck Pink Wine

This offering from Cline Cellars is one of my personal favorites. It's a little sweeter than most
Rosés with strong notes of strawberry, raspberry and pomegranate. Juicy orange notes make for a delicious, bright finish. Pink Truck is a blend of Zinfandel, Grenache, Mourvedre grapes and is a winner every time. Budget friendly at around $10 per bottle, Pink Truck would be a great addition to your summer engagement party or during the cocktail hour of your reception.

Laeticia Vineyard & Winery makes a delightful Brut Rosé sparkling wine. Made from a blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc, this sparkling wine has sweet notes of strawberries and cherries, and soft citrus notes that freshens the palate. Add a little color to your toasts by offering "pink champagne" and see your guests faces light up. 

You can also get a similar effect by serving a Kir Royale. Add a touch of Creme de Casis to your favorite sparkling wine, a raspberry garnish, and poof! Instant crowd pleaser.

I always think the most fun part of wedding planning is the tasting. So, if you decide to serve a rosé to your guests for one of your events, and you're having a hard time deciding which bottle to serve, I say do a trial run! Get a couple different bottles that you're trying to decide between and invite your friends over for a little tasting party. I'm confident you, and they, will find it's some of the most fun "work" you'll do during your wedding planning...