Rose wines are usually sneered by wine connoisseurs, however; after a lengthy period of declining popularity, it seems roses are making a comeback, due to many consumers in the U.S. and England going back once again to this summertime favorite wine. Rose wines, often referred to as Blush wines or Rosé, are wines which aren’t truly red, yet having enough of a reddish tinge to make them not be a white wine.
For the most part rose wines are generally dry, while roses from the United States are generally sweet. This latter distinction is highlighted by referring to sweet rose wines as blush. With that in mind here for you is a guide of the top five inexpensive rose wines that are under $20, which are a favorite of mine as well as for many others.
1.) Francis Coppola Sofia Rose – Monterey County $15.99: This wine is like no other, because the owner of this winery is the famed film director best known for “The Godfather” sagas and “Apocalypse Now”. His rose of unparallel beauty is named after his daughter Sofia, who is an Academy-Award winning film director in her own right. When the rose is chilled its refreshing style is a savory summer wine you can serve hors d’oeuvres with.
Grown in the vineyards of Monterey County the 2008 Sofia Rose has a bright pink hue and an enticing perfume of crushed raspberries, rose petals, and tea leaves. It’s bright and refreshing on the palate. The Sofia Rose offers delicate flavors of strawberries, red cherries, ginger, and candied orange peel. Some say the wine is reminiscent of the lovely dry rosés served in seaside cafés along the French Riviera. http://www.madwine.com/frcosoro20.html http://www.franciscoppolawinery.com/
2.) Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Il Mimo 2007 – Italy $14.99: Made from the vineyards of the upper reaches of Piedmont features a beautiful rose color due to its skin content and slow fermentation. A nice fruity taste and lovely aromas of wild strawberries, along with hints of black pepper. Seriously guzzlable! Stirling Fine Wines – Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo II Mimo 2007
3.) Julián Chivite “Gran Feudo” Navarro Rosado – Spain $15: The Navarra wine region of Spain, one of the five major Spanish wine regions, has this rose coming from the GloboPetroVineyards. Its winery dates back to the 1600s in the Ebro Valley of Northern Spain. One of the three methods to produce rose wine is by their using the ancient saignée method of making rosé, where free-run juice is drained or “bled” from just-crushed grapes to give a true flavor of the variety. The grapes are Garnacha, the Spanish version of Grenache, resulting in this refreshing strawberry-pink wine with good acidity. Julian Chivite “Gran-Feudo” Navarro Rosado – $15 Wines – The Upgrader on Men.Style.com
4.) Muga Rose 2008 Rioja 750ml (147390) – Spain $12.99: A dry rose, from the Rioja wine region in Spain, is light and pale in color. The wine delivers lovely, delicate flavors of watermelon, rose, and tangerine that will linger throughout its finish. Light and crisp, yet intense and focused with grapes made from Granacha. Mora’s Fine Wines and Muga Rioja Rose 2008
5.) Thomas Winery Acme Wineworks Rose NV – Oregon $12.95: Last but certainly not least, is a very surprising selection I was almost reluctant to feature in this top five list. They say “not to judge a book by its cover”. That’s clearly the case with this wine from Oregon. John Thomas, the owner of Thomas Winery, has his one-man operation based in Dundee Hills, which is near Carlton, Oregon.
Thomas Winery is known primarily for their Pinots, which are considered a cult favorite. He utilizes the same skills for this rose, which has become very popular due to his limited supply. Its scent is strawberry, raspberry, and melon. The flavors are sweet red raspberry, wild strawberry, a hint of creamy kiwi, along with a finish of more berries and a hint of just-right citrus. http://www.northwest-wine.com/Thomas-Winery-Rose.html
Out of the top five list of inexpensive rose wines, two are domestics and the others from wineries in Europe. Whether you like sweet or dry wine there is something to satisfy your rose wine tastes. There are links provided where you can order these wines directly, though you can check your local fine wine shops to find out if they carry them or they may be able to special order it for you.
