(Photo illustration: Isie Yang)
Summer is fleeting, and so is pink wine. Most rosés aren’t built to last, so there’s no point in trying to save them for a rainy day. Instead, enjoy these ephemeral crowd-pleasers while the sun is still shining.
It’s hard to sum up this year’s rosé release in a few words, because each winemaker has put her (or his) own spin on this summer tradition. There’s one big takeaway from this round-up, however, in that this is bound to be a breakout year for cool-climate rosé. Best of all, every single one of these pairs well with too much cheese.
For the second year in a row, Benjamin Bridge has collaborated with its neighbours at Glooscap First Nation to make a lower-alcohol (10%) rosé blend made with grapes from vineyards on traditional Mi'kmaq land. It’s bright and fruit-forward but dry, and has the slightest hint of effervescence. All proceeds from all sales are split evenly between the winery and Glooscap.
Available at the LCBO, $27, as well as in N.B., P.E.I. and from Benjamin Bridge for $22.
Lightfoot & Wolfville is a regional leader in biodynamic winemaking, regenerative agriculture and super-tasty rosés. Case in point, the 2022 L&W Rosé, which is zesty, full of berries and grapefruit and very good wine to serve with spicy snacks like charcuterie.
Available at NFLD Liquor, $29 and from Lightfoot & Wolfville for $22.
It’s hard not to smile when this truly surprising rosé hits your lips. It’s definitely got a little chilled melon vibe happening, but the tangy citrus and clean finish make it a candidate for most refreshing rosé of the year. Fermented exclusively with grapes from The Grange’s “Victoria Block,” the oldest of its five parcels, this terroir-focused winery is definitely proving that Prince Edward County has a unique story to tell.
Available from The Grange, $24.
Estate-grown pinot noir is the star of the show in this seriously dry wine that manages to straddle the fence dividing “drinkers” from “thinkers.” It’s ridiculously easy to sip, if you take a moment to get to know it better, it’s clear the complex balance of stone fruit and citrus in its weighty, almost creamy, body puts it into the serious wine category.
Available at the LCBO, $25, and from Hidden Bench.
Looking for a wild-fermented, low intervention and sustainable rosé made by a pair of kick-ass women? Well, we have a tasty pink wine for that, thanks to Brooke Husband and Kelly Mason, who collaborated on this exquisite cabernet franc rosé that’s got it all—fruit, elegance and a cheeky hint of spice.
Available from Mason Vineyard, $25.
This family-owned winery released four different expressions of pink this year, including its award-winning traditional-method sparkling rosé cherished by fans of the winery. When it comes to still wines, though, our fave has to be Fielding’s lovely 2022 Estate Gamay Rosé, which manages to be both punchy and delicate at the same time and has a round, full and soft mouthfeel.
Available from Fielding Estate Winery, $27.
As anyone with an adventurous palate knows, there’s something special about a juicy wine with a funky side and the tiniest bitter note on the finish, all of which are present in this unfiltered, low-intervention and wild-fermented wine from Therianthropy. It can totally stand up to saucier and meatier dishes than the usual things people pair with pink.
Available direct from Therianthropy, $28.
This certified sustainable producer is known for approachable wines, including this light-bodied, pale pink expression. Although it leans towards the dry side, it’s got just enough sweetness, a floral nose and a nice watermelon-berry kick to nudge it into guilty pleasure territory.
Available at the LCBO, $16.
Way ahead of the sustainability curve, Malivoire also went all-in on pink wine before most, to the point that this Beamsville Bench winery can now offer both rosé in a can and a “taste of rosé” six-pack with a half-dozen different expressions to sample. We zeroed in on the Vivant 2023 because it’s ethereally light and totally refreshing, which is basically exactly what we think might get us through the next few heat dome events.
Available at the LCBO for $20.
Supporters of the arts will want to know all about 13th Street’s Cabernet Rosé Expression series, a hot pink, bold and savoury wine with a definite POV that, in keeping with this winery’s passion for visual art, helps fund awards and scholarships at Ontario arts schools. Should that run out, the 2023 Gamay Vin Gris ($25), a rosé all the way on the other end of the spectrum, is elegant and utterly delicious.
Available at the LCBO and direct from 13th Street for $18.
This lower-alcohol (10.5%) pink wine from Ontario’s Foreign Affair Winery is rather unique, since it uses dried fruit in the fermentation, a style that’s known as “appassimento.” The end result is really intriguing, since this dry wine tastes a little like fruitcake and spice—in the best possible way.
Available at the LCBO, $20.
We’re big fans of Tantalus, a winery that always walks the walk when it comes to ethical winemaking and sustainability and, what’s more, makes a life-altering riesling. This year’s rosé is just the kind of citrus-led, bright and juicy wine you want in your glass at a garden party.
Available in private liquor stores in Alberta and from Tantalus, $23.
In winemaking, “saignée” means “to bleed” a little juice from red-skinned grapes into the mix to beef up the structure of a rosé wine—a hotly debated topic in winemaking. Culmina’s award-winning 2023 Saignée is a complex, bone-dry wine with its fresh garden blossom aroma, subtle taste of berries, silky mouthfeel and perfectly satisfying finish. No wonder this wine has built up such a cult following over the years.
Available at BC Liquor, $27.
This wild-fermented pink wine is practically a liquid version of fresh strawberries and cream with a taste of honey but, somehow, manages to also be nicely dry. It’s made primarily with pinot noir in the Okanagan’s Naramata Bench. And its sheer beauty is a testament to the owners’ commitment to hand harvesting, zero systemic pesticides and a commitment to keeping the vineyard healthy and sustainable.
Available at Daydreamer Wines, $25.
From a storied winery that deservedly picked up a loyal following fairly quickly, this rosé is a French-inspired blend of syrah and grenache, with a bit of a twist—pronounced citrus oil notes. As it mellows in the glass, it’s hard to imagine a better pairing for this than fresh seafood with plenty of butter.
Available at BC Liquor, $27.
Mission Hill became one of the first terroir-focused wineries in Canada over 40 years ago. It’s now invested in regenerative agriculture, organic winemaking and consistently brilliant releases, like this salmon-coloured, rich, herbaceous, lively and classically dry rosé. It’s obvious the winery isn’t resting on its laurels.
Available at Mission Hill, $26
At Deadman Lake Vineyard, not only does classical music help the wine age happily in the cellar, Mozart’s “Requiem” can also be heard in the vineyards, where 13 strategically placed speakers coax the grapes to grow. Although it’s hard to say if the tunes have an effect on the finished product, Winemaker’s Cut 2023 Rosé is bouncy and crisp, with a lot of fresh berry energy going on.
Ships directly from Winemaker's Cut, $26.
So pale you could almost miss the pink, it’s easy to believe that the hand-sorting of perfectly ripe fruit and the gentle pressing of the grapes has genuinely made a difference in the crafting of this subtle, delicate, crisp and stunningly refreshing rosé. It may well be the Platonic ideal of a pink wine.
Available from Liquidity Wines, $30.
Many of the wineries profiled also make fizzy pink wine, including Nova Scotia’s Lightfoot and Wolfville. With its bright acidity and punchy fruit, this year’s Bubbly Rosé is the perfect way to celebrate a special summer get-together.
Available from Lightfoot & Wolfville, $24.
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