Winter dinners walk a fine line. Some are heavy and filling, like pork loin with mashed potatoes; while others, like vibrant noodle dishes and crisp roast veggie salads, remind us that summer will eventually return.
While we often relegate rosé to a summer sipper, the wide world of this versatile pink wine offers something to pair with all of the above.
From dark pink rosé from Abruzzo, Italy, to a show-stopping sparkler from West Sussex, England, read on for six winter rosés and what to eat with them.
1. Zaccagnini Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo Rosé 2018
Zaccagnini’s rosé is just as food-friendly as its best-known bottle, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. This charming dark pink rosé is still made with Montepulciano, the best-known grape of Abruzzo in southern Italy, but spends far less time on the grape skins than its red-wine sibling. Its herbaceous cherry notes and refreshing acidity will make it perfect with pork loin. Price: $18
2. Long Meadow Ranch Anderson Valley Rosé
From Anderson Valley’s cool, coastal climate comes this mouthwatering rosé with aromas of golden raspberry and red cherry. If you were to stop by Long Meadow’s restaurant, you’d likely have this wine with brick-cooked chicken and roasted vegetables from the 2,000-acre sustainably farmed ranch. This rosé also pairs very nicely with tandoori chicken. Price: $25
3. Olivier Horiot “En Valingrain,” Rosé de Riceys
Although made in the Champagne region of France, this is a still rosé, rather than bubbly. Rosé de Riceys has been a name-protected (AOC) region for Pinot Noir rosé since 1945, with only 15 to 20 growers working in the region. In fact, wines from here are so distinctive that the French have specifically named their flavor goût des Riceys. Olivier Horiot is the only grower working biodynamically in Riceys, and his “En Valingrain” has notes of crushed rose petals and macerated strawberries. Traditionally (and deliciously), it’s served with rillettes. Price: $58
4. Nyetimber Rosé
Thanks to climate change (and a lot of hard work), there are some spectacular sparkling wines coming out of the limestone soils of southern England. This charming rosé from West Sussex is comprised of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and a tiny bit of Pinot Meunier. Its effervescence and vibrant wild strawberry aromas make it a perfect match for duck carnitas or sesame noodles. Price: $55
5. Domaine la Tour Vieille Rosé des Roches
This deeply saturated rosé from sun-soaked Roussillon comes from terraced cliffside vineyards overlooking the Mediterranean, which are constantly being ravaged by the wind, or “La Tramontagne,” as it’s called. This type of farming is difficult but has been achieved for generations. A blend of Syrah, Black Grenache, and Gray Grenache, this 14-percent-ABV rosé would pair perfectly with a hearty roast vegetable salad or a seafood risotto. Price: $12
6. Christian Tschida Himmel auf Erden Rosé
Those who prefer off-the-beaten-path wines made with minimal intervention will go gaga for this Austrian rosé of Cabernet Franc from winemaker Christian Tschida. Tschida farms his 10 hectares of old vines biodynamically in Burgenland, on land that has been in his family for four generations. This wine’s flinty notes of raspberry and cut grass make it a weirdly perfect pairing for a bacon cheeseburger from your favorite Seamless burger joint. Price: $35.99
