Get tickled pink this summer by a whole new crop of pretty, pink wines from Santa Barbara County.
More local wineries are adding Rosé to their line-ups.
Not to be mistaken for sweet “White Zin,” floral, fruity, fragrant, dry Rosés produced on the Central Coast are usually made from Pinot Noir, Syrah, or Grenache.
You’d be hard pressed to find a more refreshing wine to pour chilled at your summer barbecue or pool party. And talk about food friendly! Plus, they’re always priced right.
Female winemakers made three of the feminine Rosés profiled this week, and two of the winemakers donate some proceeds to their favorite “pink charity.”
Don’t forget to “think pink” this summer—or anytime.
Che bella: The 2011 Botasea Rosato di Palmina, made by Chrystal Clifton from Palmina Winery in Lompoc, is a blend of Dolcetto, Nebbiolo, and Barbera from Santa Barbara County. “This wine pairs beautifully with spicy food, barbecue, picnic lunches, or just a good book on a warm summer day,” Clifton wrote. Her “Pink Wine for the Pink Ribbon” campaign donates a portion of Botasea proceeds to the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation ($18).
Philanthropic pink: Riverbench Winery’s 2011 Rosé of Pinot Noir from the Santa Maria Valley is bright pink and flirty, with hints of strawberries and pineapple, finishing dry. “Our Rosé is perfect with summer cheese platters, oysters and shellfish, and paella (done on the grill, of course).” Five percent of the profits from the sales of this wine are donated to Marian Medical Center’s Breast Cancer program ($18).
Run for the Rosés: The 2009 Chateau Neuf Du Pink from Brander Winery in the Santa Ynez Valley is a Syrah-based Rosé with “a splash of Sauvignon Blanc added for a little more charm and complexity.” This Rosé has a strawberry bubblegum nose. Who can resist that on a sunny, Central Coast afternoon ($12)?
Rhone-style rosé: The 2011 Curtis Heritage Rosé is a blend of Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Grenache. Curtis Winery’s talented winemaker Ernst Storm wrote that the wine opens with “summery aromas of strawberry and rose petal with hints of citrus and pineapple.” The wine’s crisp character “ensures excellent versatility with food.” Pairing suggestions: pulled pork sandwiches, Tandoori chicken, and Niçoise salad ($18).
Felicity from Foxen: Foxen Vineyards’ 2011 Rosé of Mourvèdre from Vogelzang Vineyards in Happy Canyon will most certainly make you happy. Your glass will fill with aromas of “rose petal, white peach, and watermelon rind, with a hint of cinnamon. Bright flavors of peach and tart berry/cranberry, finishing with firm acidity.” Pairs well with barbecue or your summer picnic lunch along the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail ($25).
The truth: Louisa Sawyer Lindquist’s 2011 Verdad Rosé is 100 percent Grenache from the Edna Valley. Lindquist described this expressive pink wine as “the essence of summer in a glass.” The Santa Maria Valley winemaker wrote about her Verdad Rosé, “Aromas are of rose petals and ripe strawberries. Lively wild strawberry and watermelon flavors explode in the mouth” ($18).
Winemaker dinner
Stolpman Vineyards in Ballard Canyon is holding a “feast in the fields” Dinner in the Vineyard on Saturday, Aug. 4, benefitting Arts Outreach. From 4 to 6 p.m. enjoy vineyard tours and appetizers. A catered dinner starts at 6 p.m. Cost is $95 per person. Call 688-0400 for tickets or order online at stolpmanvineyards.com/events. Advance reservations are required.
Sun food and wine writer Wendy Thies Sell enjoys aromatic local Rosés year round. Know of a local restaurant or winery that deserves to be profiled? Write her at wthies@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jul 19-26, 2012.