Happy Easter! To toast the season of spring, and celebrate the holiday I once again was able to join the 11 am News team at KXAS/NBC DFW to celebrate the perfect wine for spring and summer, Rosé. But this is dry Rosé, not the sweet and sticky stuff we all drank back in the day. These Rosé wines are juicy and fresh, with fresh acidity, brightness and balance. A link to the segment is here.

Though in our home we like to drink Rosé all year long, now is a great time to start enjoying the thirst quenching wine as the 2016 vintage wines are available now from wineries around the world, as a key part of Rosé is to enjoy it young and fresh.
There are so many options out there though, how do you know what will fit your palate and preferred wine style?  Here are a few tips, and recommendations to help.

Rosé made from Pinot Noir

• Sparkling and still, non-sparkling wines, like Champagne and some of the finest still Rosé wines from Willamette Valley, OR and Sonoma, California
• Filled with strawberry, orange blossom, yellow & white peach, and tangerine flavors.
• Perfect for Salmon, spring salads, pasta, to simply enjoying.

Taittinger Brut Prestige Rosé Champagne ($80) One of the key varieties that make up Champagne is Pinot Noir, along with Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier, with this sparkler blending just a touch of Pinot Meunier in with Pinot Noir. Mouthwatering and juicy, with red cherry, berry and a hint of brioche from extended aging on the yeasts.
Stoller Willamette Valley Rosé of Pinot Noir ($20) Consistently, year after year, the Rosé from Stoller Family Vineyards in Willamette makes me smile thanks to the lively layers of watermelon, nectarine, citrus and orange blossom.
Stewart Rosé of Pinot Noir ($28) A new wine from Stewart Cellars layering yellow peaches, red berry, and Asian pear.
J Brut Rosé ($35) is made in the traditional method from Russian River Valley fruit. Vibrant and lively, with bubbles that dance on the palate with lively joy leading to a palate of red apple, yellow peach, hazelnut, and berry.
Cambria Rosé of Pinot Noir ($25) from Santa Maria Valley in California’s Central Coast melds acidity and freshness with classic watermelon and citrus characteristics.

Rosé made from classic Rhone varieties

• Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault
• Some of the most famous Rosé wines in the world are produced in Provence, France from these varieties
• Wildflower, lilac, wild herb aromas of the garrigue of France
• Watermelon, stone fruit, and ripe berry flavors

Miraval Rose Cotes de Provence ($25) showcases the style, character, and refinement of the French Riviera in their beautifully packaged Rosé from Provence. Slightly briny, thanks to the influence of the Mediterranean Sea on the region, with fresh flowers, ripe cherry, and steely, fresh minerality.
Fleur de Mer ($17) from Cotes de Provence highlights the wild lavender, sage flowers and fresh thyme aromas of the region, with white peach and nectarine, in a fresh, balanced wine.
Azur Napa Rosé of Syrah ($32) from Napa Valley, produced by rising Napa Valley star Julien Fayard, is crisp, clean and ideal for sipping on its own, on a hot spring and summer day. I love this wine, filled with spicy, crushed white pepper, tart cranberry, white peach and berry.
Decoy California Rosé of Syrah & Pinot Noir ($20) is almost the best of both worlds, as you have the structure and texture of Syrah, melding with the fruity berry and citrus notes found in Pinot Noir.
McPherson Rosé of Mourvedre ($20) is a Rhone variety, but not always commonly used for Rose. This Texas favorite though shows how refreshing the robust wine can be when made into Rose. Tangerine and blood orange notes meld with juicy berry.
Sidebar Rosé of Syrah ($21) from Winemaker David Ramey, this Russian River Syrah wine is slightly peppery, with earthy herbal notes, purple flowers and crushed pomegranate fruit.
Protea Rosé ($16) from South Africa, and named after the national flower of the country, blends the Rhone varieties, led by Mourvedre, for a berry, nectarine, and floral wine with a slighly smoky, mineral filled backbone.

Rosé made from Non-Traditional Varieties

• Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc, Tempranillo
• Bolder, more intense in both color and flavor with spice and red fruits
• Great for pairing with barbecues filled with hearty beef/pork/lamb dishes.

Ceynth Rose of Cabernet Franc ($28) with barely a hint of color, transports you to a field of wildflowers, melding into layers of passionfruit, orange blossom and tangerine.
Justin Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé ($20) from Paso Robles layers fig, wild strawberry and soft herbs.
Sangiovese-based Galil Mountain Rosé ($16) from high elevation vineyards in Galilee, Isreal, melds strawberry and raspberry with fresh roses and spice.
Hacienda de Arinzano Tempranillo Rosé  ($20) From one of my favorite winemakers in Spain, Manuel Louzada, tames juicy, earthy Tempranillo to create a balanced, yet vibrant Rose that leaps from the glass with wild rose, grapefruit, and spice.
Kir-Yianni Sparkling AKAKIES Rose of Xinomavro ($20) Though the traditional Northern Greece variety, Xinomavro, can be very bold, pronounced and intense, with savory balsamic and dried tomato notes, the Rose wine maintains freshness, with juicy cherry and berry notes. A touch of toasted almond and cream also comes through from a short period of aging the sparkler on the yeasts.
Julia’s Dazzle Rose of Pinot Gris ($20) Pinot Gris is usually a white wine, however when the fruit is ripe, the skins are actually a greyish-purple color, which lends itself to a richer, more textured version of Pinot Gris, this one from Washington.