Five Fab Washington Rosés for Summer

By Seattle Mag July 27, 2012

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This sorta summerlike weather calls for a toast and this time of year, my glass is full of something pink. I love rosé, and Washington wineries make a bunch of really good ones.

When I was sipping around at the Wine Rocks event a few weeks ago, I was so impressed with so many fresh, ever-so-slighty fruity rosé. Here’s my favorite five from that fun evening:

Long Shadows Dazzle is made with fruit from the Benches Vineyard in Horse Heaven Hills. The gorgeous wine is made with Pinot Grigio and a smidge of Sangiovese and is perfect with pasta salad or a loaded Tokyo Dog. ($15)

The 2011 Columbia Valley Rosé from Robert Ramsay Cellars pops with bright berry flavors, balanced by an interesting, very subtle mineral quality. A wonderful surprise from a winery fiercely dedicated to reds. ($18)

Fjellene Cellars & Vineyard makes its rosé with Syrah, and it’s quickly become one of the winery’s best sellers. The gent pouring at Wine Rocks cracked me up when he said even guys dig this dry-ish rose. ($18)

Kyle Johnson gets a gold star for his Syrah/Cab combo that’s not afraid to tiptoe into fruity-sweet territory. That’s because the Purple Star Rosé has enough snap to keep it from going all cloying. ($14)

Smasne Cellars’ Farm Girl Rosé is like a trip to the strawberry patch, in the nose and on the palate, that tart-sweetness is a blast of refreshing. It’s terrific on its own, but even better alongside grilled salmon. ($14)

 

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