


We did it! We made it to spring! And we all deserve to celebrate with a nice glass of rosé.
Rosé can be thought of as basic — thanks Frosé, which, to be fair, can be delicious. But rosé has a wonderful history. The Greeks were drinking it 2,500 years ago. The French and Spanish make and drink tons of the pink ambrosia. It can be sweet or dry, affordable or a splurge, and goes with loads of spring and summer dishes.
But where to start? So glad you asked.
Lot 197 — Core, Prosecco Rosé ($12.49)
Boston’s own 90+ Cellars partners with great wineries to curate its own collection of wonderful wines. Cutting costs by not owning its own vineyards, 90+ delivers vintages like this Prosecco Rosé. Made in Veneto, Italy from Glera and Pinot Noir grapes, this 2023 wine is an ideal first bottle of sparkling rosé for those that favor dry over sweet. You still get some fruit and citrus but it is low on sugar — just 2 grams per 5 oz. serving.
Rosa Regale Sparkling Rosé ($19.99)
OK, now something for the sweet over dry people. Founded over a century ago, still owned by the Mariani family, and run by Cristina Mariani-May, Banfi has a portfolio full of gems. This bubbly rosé is one of the inexpensive sparklers. It has a welcome sweetness that exudes citrus balanced with a bit of acidity. Buy it with the Lot 197 and you’ll have a pair of prosecco rosés to fit a wide range of palates.
2024 Bouchaine Vin Gris of Pinot Noir ($36)
A Napa Valley rosé that can compete with any European vintage, this wine comes from Bouchaine’s sustainably-farmed Pinot Noir (85%) and saignée (15%) — Vin Gris is a French term for a pale pink wine made from Pinot Noir grapes. It’s dry and melon-y and sophisticated with a substantial body for rosé. It might be more that you want to spend on a fun spring wine, but it’s here when you decide you want something special with those Marcona almonds and Market Basket manchego.
11 Minutes Rosé ($19.99)
You can’t judge a wine by its bottle. But if you could, wow, 11 Minutes would be an all-time champ. Ignoring the bottle, this wine is, well, an all-time champ. Named for the number of minutes the grape skins are left in contact with the juice to create the pale tint, 11 Minutes is spring in a glass — a fresh floral scent and friendly acidic bite.
2024 Bell’Aja Bianco ($26)
Maybe you just can’t get into pink, fuchsia, rose, or anything with a tint. That’s OK, we have a white for you. From Bolgheri, a spot in Italy nestled between the sea and the mountains and known for amazing reds, San Felice’s Bell’Aja Bianco balances everything sitting between sweet and dry, fresh and bold, soft and acidic, making it the perfect white blend for any al fresco meal.