The Greatest Rosés (and White Wine) for Finish of Summer season

Tinseltown’s enviable climate all the time requires out of doors revelry — from Malibu seaside gatherings to Bel-Air poolside soirées. And nothing pairs higher with that sun-kissed, late-summer shimmer than a relaxing blush or golden-hued pour, handpicked by Hollywood’s wine insiders.

“I personally drink more white and rosé than red, regardless of the season. I think it’s a shame that there’s a perception that they’re less sophisticated than reds. My first loves in wine include great Provençal roses,” says Adam Hopkins, wine director for industry-frequented Toscana Restaurant Group’s Nella and SY Kitchen. “Good rosé is also one of the most versatile and food-friendly wines.”

Perfectly Provence

While rosé is without doubt one of the heat climate season’s hottest libations, it’s additionally a year-round go-to because of its construction and complexity. “Rosé continues to reign as Queen — and it’s easy to see why,” says Rebecca Phillips, sommelier and proprietor of Buvette and Vintage wine bars. “That gorgeous pink hue adds an extra layer of joy to the experience — something lovely and delightful before you even take a sip. It’s crisp and refreshing with juicy red fruit notes.”

Mineral-tinged Provence rosé remains to be the gold commonplace. “And for good reason — with producers like Domaines Ott and Domaine Tempier,” provides Phillips. “The region has been doing it forever, with a style that’s effortless and elegant. But now that rosé is so popular, winemakers everywhere are stepping up, and there are some seriously delicious options out there.”

With its sometimes $25-and-under worth level, Whispering Angel helped convey consideration to rosé and stays a Provence basic. “Sometimes you don’t want to overthink it — you just want something familiar, like your favorite cozy sweatshirt,” says Phillips. “It’s consistent, easy-drinking and delivers that classic pale Provençal style year after year.” And the Chateau d’Esclans, priced round $48, is a luxurious providing from the identical producer.

Phillips’ present obsession is Groundwork Wine Co. 2023. “Yes, that’s right: It’s last year’s vintage and it’s still fire,” she says. “Paso Robles 90 percent grenache and 10 percent mourvèdre rosé, this wine is pink lemonade in a bottle. It’s delightfully crisp and refreshing with notes of sea salt, white peach and kiwi fruit.”

Revelatory Rosés

According to Hopkins, rosé wasn’t all the time taken so critically. “It was just a ‘quick-turnaround wine’ to recoup investment as soon as possible after a harvest, and to put on grocery store shelves.” But rosé has advanced. “I’m seeing more and more small production winemakers purchasing beautiful (and pricey) fruit to make a complex and balanced wine,” he provides. “When Santa Barbara Pinot Noir is the most expensive grape, it’s inspiring to see someone buy it and put a lot of work into making an amazing rosé that the larger market isn’t clambering for. Trippers & Askers just released one such rosé.”

Swoon-worthy, small manufacturing rosés are aplenty and proper right here in our personal yard, as Hopkins notes. An embarrassment of grape-growing riches, wines from Santa Ynez Valley (in Santa Barbara County) are wanted by Michelin-star eating places and collectors all over the world. Demetria’s 100% Grenache Rosé is a crisp and refreshing crowd pleaser from resident winemaker Ryan Roark. Even higher is sipping Demetria’s wines at their Mediterranean-studded Los Olivos property in Santa Ynez Valley. “Demetria is one of my favorite wineries to visit, and the rosé is crushable,” says Hopkins. “I recommend going there if you’re ever in Santa Ynez. It’s casual and in a beautiful setting.” Another knockout rosé with an equally putting setting is Dovecote in Los Alamos. With a lakeside, open air tasting room overlooking the vines, you’ll need to linger right here all afternoon.

Other rosés destined to make an impression at your subsequent gathering embrace Tabalipa No. 1 Rosé. From Hollywood costume designer turned vintner, Paula Tabalipa, it’s created from 100% estate-grown Syrah. Bella Union Rosé, based by the group behind the legendary Far Niente Winery in Napa may even entice. And Four Brothers Rosé Grenache is without doubt one of the juiciest choices and oozes notes of watermelon and strawberry. Delectable and even restorative, this wine is the quintessential porch pounder.

Wine appraiser Melissa L. Smith is “absolutely head over heels for” Xander Soren. With an emphasis on crafting wines designed for pairing with delicate Japanese delicacies, winemaker Shalini Sekhar sources from vineyards alongside the California coast. “They snuck in a limited bottling (250 bottles in total) of Pinot Noir Rosé that is truly a special experience,” she says.

Wondrous Whites

Rosé might rule, however in response to Phillips, white wine gross sales are method up at each Buvette and Vintage. “As a sommelier, I’m loving the shift; white wine isn’t just a starter or a ‘light’ option anymore,” she says. “People are getting curious, pairing it with entrées and really appreciating how vibrant, complex and food-friendly it can be.”

Her heat climate must-have is Txakolina (pronounced chah-kuh-leena) created from the Hondarrabi Zuri grape in Spain’s rugged Basque Country.

“Sea spray and steep coastal vineyards create wines that are light, zippy and refreshing. Think tart lime zest, a kiss of salinity and the crisp ocean air in every sip,” she says.

If you’re longing to interrupt out of your white-wine consolation zone, Sonja Magdevski of Clementine Carter Wines to the rescue together with her Grenache Blanc (and lip-smacking Grenache Rosé). “Sonja is making impressive wines. She does a roussanne that is stellar, which is something I’ve rarely seen made in this area as Santa Barbara seems to be a difficult place to make a white wine that’s floral and textured, while having the tension and acidity necessary to keep it balanced,” says Hopkins.

Smith, who can be the founding father of Enotrias Elite Sommelier Services, appreciates the resurgence of wines which can be low in alcohol, a plus as you sip below the sweltering solar. One of her favorites is Tessier’s Monterey Skin Contact Gewurtztraminer from Kristie Tacey: “Imagine you are on a river cruise on the Mosel with a grilled sausage on a soft roll with beetroot kraut on a hot evening,” Smith says. “This is summer perfection.” Phillips can be enamored with Tessier wines. “Kristie Tacey is a scientist turned winemaker who makes beautifully expressive, juicy, unique wines full of flavor and dimension. I’m continually impressed when I try each vintage,” she provides.

Venture off the overwhelmed path with Kings Carey, from winemaker James Sparks. “The 2022 SBC Semillon, made in a Hunter Valley style, is full of rich Meyer lemon, tart green apple, ripe pear, pineapple and fresh green herbs,” says Phillips. And Siren from McKinney Family Vineyards is a luscious mix of viognier, albariño, grüner veltliner and sauvignon blanc. If you’re a “Sauvi B” purist, head straight to Future Perfect. “Bursting with creativity, rooted in place and full of personality, [the wines] are vibrant, expressive and downright delicious. Don’t miss [the] Breakfast Wine.”

A basic that has skilled a little bit of a backlash over the previous few years, chardonnay is having a second, however not the oak-drenched fashion. “I know what you’re thinking — chardonnay? Isn’t that usually buttery, oaky, and rich? Not this one,” Phillips says. “The 2023 Tyler Chardonnay is all about tension and energy. It’s crisp, electric, and mouthwatering — you take a sip and immediately want another.”

If you will get your palms on a bottle, Kosta Browne’s Chablis Premier Cru Chardonnay is a triumph as are McKinney’s Queen Charlemagne and Chateau Montelena’s Chardonnay, the icon celebrated for taking dwelling the grand prize on the famed Judgement of Paris in 1976. And Hopkins is smitten with Racines. “They’re making the most delicious, complex, elegant and balanced chardonnay I’ve had in the area. It’s refreshing and serious — not buttery or overripe.”