Think Seattle is a bit drab and gray? Taste Washington 2012 provided some refreshing rosés that evoke the city's brightest days. It was extremely encouraging to attend a wine event that saw a bit of a shift in pink wine styles. Here are 5 dry, crisp, pale, and austere examples that could make even an unabashed French rosé fanatic smile.
Full disclosure: I received a pass as a member of the media to attend this event.
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Hedges Family Estate
The 2011 House of Independent Producers Cabernet Franc from Hedges is a pink wine game-changer for Washington State. Not an afterthought, but born and bred to be a rosé. Served cool rather than cold, the Cab Franc character really came through. (Full disclosure: I do like my pink wines to be well-chilled. It's who I am.)
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Maison Bleue
Impressive red and white wines from this ace winery. Maison Bleue is making wines that clearly show a love of the entire Rhone region of France. No surprise that their rosé is right in that wheelhouse. It gives a big nod to the famous rosés of Bandol, where the Mouvredre grapes, as they, say like to "see" the ocean. (It's not as easy for the grapes from the Yakima Valley to do so.)
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Gilbert Cellars
Not to be outdone by Maison Bleue, Gilbert Cellars comes correct with a Rosé of Mourvedre. Buy a bottle of each, grab a few friends, and find a porch on a warm, sunny day.
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Syncline
Syncline has been the standard-bearer for Frenchified, Southern Rhone-influenced rosés in Washington State. Though the 2010 had a fair share of Pinot Noir juice, the 2011 is back to its roots. And I was really geeked to try their sparkling wine; a rare treat.
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Tranche
I find Tranche really interesting. They are not afraid to hold back their red wines and let them get some extra time in the bottle before release. Their pink wine, however, gives freshness its due. And beyond pure refreshment (which is 100% fine by me for a wine to give), it also has a bit of intrigue to it when you taste it.
And though I arrived at Taste Washington 2012 a bit rain-soaked, when I left it was bright and sunny. I'd like to think these 5 rosés had something to do with it.