Rosé, a great summer and barbeque wine

Summer temperatures have come to Texas earlier than usual this year. The oppressive heat can make those Cabernets and Pinots we were drinking this spring not as appealing. Besides, summertime is barbeque time, and most reds have trouble with the sweet and spicy flavor of barbeque.

So what’s a wine drinker to do?

I run to the wine shop and pick up a case or two of rosé. I’ll bet you are thinking that you don’t like pink wine! I understand your reaction, but these wines are not what you think.

Unlike the rosé that you may have tried in college or at your grandmother’s house (i.e., “white zinfandel”), these wines are dry (no detectable residual sugar) and have the right amount of acid to go with summertime food. Typically the alcohol level in a French rosé is around 12%, so they are easy to drink on hot days. Rosés are are also served chilled, which makes them refreshing in the summer heat.

But most of all, I drink rosés simply because they taste good.

Most rosés are released in the summertime to coincide with vacation. Many rosés are starting to arrive in wine stores now, and they will not last long. We tasted several of the rosés that are currently available in Austin. Our favorite ’07 rosés so far this summer are Maison Triennes Rosé ($15-18), Etude Pinot Noir Rosé ($20-23), and Chateau de Peyrassol Cotes de Provence Rosé ($27–30).

Take a look at our reviews for these wines and other good rosés in the our Just Wines review section. We are looking forward to trying other rosés this summer, and we’ll tell you about them soon.

Check out these related posts:

1. Good value white wines for the hot summer
2. Great values for Easter wines
3. Three cheap summer whites!
4. Choosing wine for a large dinner party of 60 people
5. CostCo vs. HEB – Who has cheaper wine in Austin?