If you've read The Reverse Wine Snob for any length of time you know that one of our favorite things when temperatures get hot is popping open a wonderfully refreshing dry rosé. I also know that there are still many of you hesitant to give these wines a try, scarred from your experiences with White Zinfandel. If you suffer from PTWZD (Post Traumatic White Zinfandel Disorder)we're here today with six of our favorite dry rosés under $12, each sealed with The Reverse Wine Snob guarantee of refreshment.
First up is the 2013 Yalumba Y Series Sangiovese Rosé from South Australia (Barossa, Wrattonbully and Adelaide Hills). It has an SRP of $13 and is available for as low as $11. Sample submitted for review.
From the bottle:
"The Yalumba Y Series of Quality Wines Salutes Our Proud History of Viticulture and Winemaking in South Australia.
Significantly, the individual icons on each label reflect the labours, inventive thinking and aspirations of all at Yalumba.
This Sangiovese Rosé depicts the butterfly. The butterfly represents the lifecycle approach to our sustainable winemaking practices, leaving nothing to chance when protecting the essential elements of the environment. A summer drink of berries and cherries with a hint of cinnamon.
Vegan and vegetarian friendly.
12% Alcohol"
The 2013 Yalumba Y Series Sangiovese Rosé begins with pleasant aromas of strawberry, raspberry, watermelon, a little apple and some floral notes. Drinking reveals a tasty and fresh wine full of citrus and apple plus more strawberry, raspberry and watermelon. The fruit flavors are a bit zesty with nice light touches of spice and a good mouthfeel. It ends with a very satisfying, dry, medium length finish. This one clocks in at just 2.8 grams/liter of residual sugar.
Overall Rating: 7.3
Second is the 2012 Las Rocas de San Alejandro Garnacha Rosé which is 100% Garnacha from Calatayud, Spain. It has an SRP of $13 and is available for as low as $10. Sample submitted for review.
From the winery:
"Continental climate (dry summers and cold winters). Chalky-calcareous and rocky soil. Mountainous area with altitudes from 600 to 1000m. Vineyards between 40 to 60 years old bush trained with natural drainage and an average yield of 3500 kg/ha.
An attractive strawberry pink colour with violet hues. Clean, fresh, dry and fruity. Very intense aromas, especially raspberry and strawberry. With a full body, it is tightly knit, elegant, persistent and has an aftertaste that reminds us once again of the red fruits. "
The 2012 Las Rocas Garnacha Rosé begins with very pleasant aromas of raspberry, strawberry, watermelon, a little spice and some floral notes. The wine tastes wonderful with delicious fruit and luscious streaks of spice and minerals. And while there's plenty of fruit it's definitely very dry clocking in at just 1.9 grams/liter of residual sugar. This medium to full bodied rosé also features a wonderful thick mouthfeel, excellent complexity and very good structure. It ends dry with long lasting luscious fruit notes. Like so many rosés, this makes a great food wine.
Overall Rating: 8.0
Highly Recommended
Third is the 2013 Domaine Houchart Cotes de Provence Rosé which is a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Mourvèdreand Cabernet Sauvignon from Provence, France. It is available for as low as $11. Sample submitted for review.
From the bottle:
"Owned by the Quiot family from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, the 200 acre estate lies at the foot of Mont Sainte Victoire near Aix-en-Provence. Its winemaking facilities have been completely renewed over the past 3 years.
This is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvedre.
Special efforts are made to preserve freshness and fruit by the use of CO2 gas to exclude oxygen during the harvest. This is a fresh rosé with a pretty salmon pink color, elegant flavors of red berries, mineral notes and a clean finish. Serve this wine lightly chilled. Very nice on its own, it goes well with most dishes, especially sushi, salads, pizza and mild cheeses.
13% Alcohol"
Rosé is one of the things Provence does best and the 2013 Domaine Houchart Cotes de Provence Rosé does not disappoint. It begins with a wonderfully enticing aroma of raspberry, citrus and a little tomato plant along with stony minerality and a few floral notes. Tasting reveals a really delicious wine featuring ripe red fruit (strawberry, red cherry), pear, apple, watermelon and a touch of tropical fruit along with light spice notes, more mineral touches and good acidity. It ends with lingering peach and pear notes on the crisp, long, dry finish. This is fantastic stuff!
Overall Rating: 8.0
Highly Recommended
Fourth is the 2013 DeMorgenzon DMZ Cabernet Rosé which is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Western Cape, South Africa. It is available for as low as $8. Sample submitted for review.
From the bottle:
"DMZ wines are produced by DeMorgenzon winery which is situated in the upper reaches of the Stellenboschkloof in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Terraced hillside vineyards and exquisite gardens are complemented by beautiful vistas of rugged mountains and sweeping views of both the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. With over 350 years of winemaking heritage, South Africa continues to produce excellent wines that combine elegance and charm with opulence and accessibility.
All DMZ wines are made from select parcels of grapes from special vineyards and carefully vinified to express the purity and integrity of the particular cultivar.
13% Alcohol"
The 2013 DeMorgenzon DMZ Cabernet Rosé is the first of two wines we are featuring from South Africa. It begins with fresh and pleasant aromas of red cherry, strawberry, watermelon, a little peach and a few floral notes. Tasting reveals lots of juicy fruit (citrus, more watermelon, strawberry and other red berry fruit) with good depth of flavor. This one is a tad sweeter than some of the others at 3.9 grams/liter of residual sugar but it still tastes dry thanks to the high acidity. A touch of spice and minerality leads into the long, dry finish where juicy fruit lingers.
Overall Rating: 7.5
Fifth is the 2013 Kanonkop Kadette Pinotage Rosé which is 100% Pinotage from Stellenbosch, South Africa. It is available for as low as $11. Sample submitted for review.
From the bottle:
"KANONCOP: Means "Cannon Hill" and is derived from the days when cannons were fired to signal the arrival of Dutch trade ships into Cape Town Harbour.
STYLE: Full bodied DRY wine with an aromatic raspberry and cherry flavours.
VINTAGE: A wet cold winter with a moderate ripening period. Harvesting date: 4 February 2013.
ORIGIN: Grapes were sourced from the quality wine region of Stellenbosch, east of Cape Town.
FOOD SUGGESTION: Drink by itself or serve with light funky styled food dishes. Best with anything from the sea.
14% Alcohol"
The 2013 Kanonkop Kadette Pinotage Rosé comes from the polarizing Pinotage grape, but it's hard to believe anyone could dislike it in rosé form as it is here. The wine begins with very pleasant aromas of watermelon, strawberry, red cherry and few floral notes. Tasting reveals lots of juicy fruit in this medium to full-bodied wine. You'll find lime, cranberry, red cherry, strawberry and orange along with some very nice zesty spice streaks. This extremely tasty wine comes in at 3.0 grams/liter of residual sugar. It ends very long with lingering touches of minerality.
Overall Rating: 8.0
Highly Recommended
Last is the 2013 Crios Rosé of Malbec which is 100% Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina. It is available for as low as $11. Sample submitted for review.
From the bottle:
"Crios means offspring in Argentine slang. For 10 years, this wine was crafted by my mother Susana Balbo in honor of my sister Ana and me. As of 2011 I have taken over the challenge of crafting wines with as much care and attention as my mother. I've worked hard to preserve the style - they display fresh fruit flavors, with balance that can only be learned from her. These wines are meant to be enjoyed while young and vibrant.
13.5% Alcohol"
The 2013 Crios Rosé of Malbec begins with enticing aromas of berry and a little bit of spice. Tasting this easy to drink wine reveals plenty of strawberry and red cherry fruit, more spice and very good acidity. It ends with good length, more lingering strawberry and hints of minerality. Quite a tasty wine that we have enjoyed in previous vintages as well.
