Sommelier-Selected Rosés for Summer Soirées
Today's rosé landscape is more exciting than ever, with producers around the world crafting wines of remarkable complexity, character, and sense of place. From the volcanic soils of Sicily to the rolling hills of South Africa and the cool-climate vineyards of Oregon, rosé has become one of the most expressive categories in wine.
As the temperatures rise and outdoor entertaining takes center stage, these are the five bottles I find myself reaching for again and again. Each offers something unique, but all share one important quality: they are absolutely delicious.
1. COS Rosa di Lupo Rosato, Sicily, Italy
If there is a rosé that perfectly captures Mediterranean sunshine in a glass, this might be it.
Produced by the legendary Sicilian estate COS, Rosa di Lupo is crafted primarily from 100% Nero d’Avola, one of Sicily's most charming indigenous grapes. The wine bursts with wild strawberries, blood orange, pomegranate, and fresh herbs, all wrapped in a beautifully textured palate.
What I love most about this wine is its authenticity. It feels unmistakably Sicilian—sun-drenched, vibrant, and alive with energy. There's a subtle savory quality that makes it incredibly food-friendly, pairing effortlessly with grilled seafood, Mediterranean salads, or simply an afternoon spent outdoors with friends.
Perfect Pairing: Aperitivo Salumi & formaggi, grilled swordfish with fresh herbs.
2. Babylonstoren Mourvèdre Rosé, South Africa
South Africa continues to be one of the world's most exciting wine regions, and Babylonstoren consistently produces wines that over deliver!
Their Mourvèdre Rosé is a beautiful example of why this grape variety deserves more attention. Pale salmon in color, it offers aromas of watermelon, white peach, rose petals, and subtle spice. The palate is fresh and elegant with a mineral backbone that keeps everything lifted and precise.
This is the rosé I often recommend to guests who think they've "outgrown" rosé. It has enough structure and complexity to satisfy serious wine lovers while remaining refreshingly easy to enjoy.
Perfect Pairing: Charcuterie, grilled shrimp, or a sunset overlooking the mountains.
3. Chalmers Col Fondo Rosato, Heathcote, Australia
Every summer needs a wildcard—and this is mine.
The Chalmers Col Fondo Rosato is unlike any rosé on this list. Produced in the ancestral method and bottled with its natural lees, it offers a lightly sparkling, slightly cloudy expression that is as fun as it is delicious.
Made from Italian grape varieties grown in Australia's Heathcote region, the wine delivers bright cranberry, blood orange, tart cherry, and floral notes with a wonderfully energetic texture.
There's a playful, rebellious spirit to this wine that I absolutely adore. It doesn't fit neatly into any category, and that's precisely why it deserves a place at your table.
Perfect Pairing: Pizza night, picnic baskets, and spontaneous summer adventures.
4. Domaine Fontsainte Gris de Gris Rosé Corbières, France
No summer rosé list would be complete without at least one French classic.
For decades, Domaine Fontsainte's Gris de Gris has quietly been one of the wine world's greatest values. Produced in the Languedoc from old-vine Grenache Gris, it delivers extraordinary elegance for the price not to mention it hails from the legendary portfolio of importer Kermit Lynch.
The wine is whisper-pale in color with delicate aromas of white flowers, melon, citrus peel, and crushed stone. The palate is featherweight yet intensely flavorful, finishing with remarkable freshness and finesse.
This is the bottle I always want chilled and waiting in the refrigerator. It is versatile, endlessly drinkable, and somehow manages to elevate even the simplest moments.
Perfect Pairing: Oysters, goat cheese, or a warm summer evening on the porch.
5. Anne Amie Rosé of Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon
Few regions in America produce rosé as effortlessly as Oregon's Willamette Valley, and Anne Amie consistently captures the elegance and freshness that have made the region a rising star for Pinot Noir rosé. The winery's seasonal Rosé of Pinot Noir is dry, vibrant, and layered with classic Pinot character.
In the glass, expect aromas of rose petals, strawberry, blood orange, and delicate floral notes. The palate is bright and energetic, offering flavors of wild strawberry, peach, citrus, and fresh herbs carried by refreshing acidity and a lingering mineral finish.
What I love most about this wine is its balance. It manages to be both serious and playful—sophisticated enough for a wine dinner yet refreshing enough for a lazy afternoon on the porch. It's the bottle I reach for when I want to introduce someone to just how exciting Oregon rosé can be.
Perfect Pairing: Smoked salmon, grilled shrimp, fresh berry salads, or a leisurely summer lunch on the patio.
The Final Pour
What I love most about these wines is how different they are from one another. They remind us that rosé is not a style confined to a single region or grape variety—it's a category capable of expressing terroir, tradition, and creativity from every corner of the wine world.
Whether you're planning a lakeside picnic, hosting friends for charcuterie and conversation, or simply looking for the perfect bottle to accompany a sunset, these five rosés deliver far more than refreshment. They tell stories.
And in my experience, the very best wines always do.
Cheers to a beautiful summer filled with good wine, good food, and unforgettable moments.