5 Ways To Rosé All Day In Temecula Valley Wine Country

TEMECULA, CA — With toasty August weather on tap this weekend, there is no better time to look at Temecula Valley's favorite summer wine: a chilled rosé.

The wine with a pinkish hue has increased in popularity in recent years and is now seen as a go-to summertime drink for influencers.

Temecula Valley wineries love their rosé wines, which tasting room staff frequently suggest as an ideal take-home for a summer barbecue. Though each winery is different, tasters should focus on bright red fruits, such as strawberry, cherry, or raspberry, hints of citrus or melon, and even flowers.

Inside each rosé bottle, you'll find grenache, syrah, cinsault, tibouren, carignan, mourvèdre, or cabernet sauvignon varietal grape, which is why the wine has a distinct pink color. Rosé is not a blush, but instead a mix of red wine grapes. The depth of the pink color depends on how long the winemaker chooses to let the pressed wine soak in their skins.

Here are some favorite summer rosé wines as recommended by the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association:

South Coast Winery 2022 Rosé of Grenache, $27

Winemaker notes:

• Made from 100% grenache with "ballet slipper pink" hues
• Flavors of crushed berry and lime zest
• Bright and "energetic on the palate," full of citrus, minerality, and zesty acidity
• Juicy and fruit-forward but finishes dry, making it an elegant dinner wine or perfect poolside sipper

Robert Renzoni 2022 Lyric Rosé, $30

Winemaker notes:

• Baby-pink in hue, the wine has fresh strawberries, ripe watermelon, and citrus blossom aromas
• Dry rosé made from syrah, a grape that shines in Temecula Valley's Mediterranean climate
• Medium-bodied and elegantly structured, perfect balance between fruitiness and restraint
• Expect a smooth finish with a trace of summer fruit
• Serve with grilled seafood, light salads, charcuterie, or the drool-worthy R & R Pizza from Robert Renzoni's on-site restaurant, Mama Rosa's Trattoria, the winemaker suggests

Baily Winery 2022 Grandol Rosé, $35

Winemaker notes:

• A nod to the unique rosé wines of the tiny appellation of Bandol in the Provence region of France
• It is made primarily from the mourvèdre grape (70% mourvèdre 30% grenache)
• This award-winning wine is full-bodied and complex, with notes of ripe berry fruit, forest floor, floral notes, and candied citrus
• Fresh and juicy with just a touch of sweetness to round out the bright acidity, making it the perfect food wine
• Pair this with grilled meats, blackened fish tacos, or a platter of slow-cooked ribs

Akash Winery, 2021 Parlez-Vous Rosé, $39

Winemaker notes:

• Delivers a ton of personality in an elegant, easy-drinking style
• Fresh cranberry, ripe woodland strawberries, and bright citrus complete the picture of this blend
• Big enough for solid flavors like blue cheese or a plate of steaming paella. It also stands on its own for sipping poolside

Peltzer Winery 2021 Rosé of Syrah, $40

Winemaker notes:

• Swirl to inhale aromas of dried rosebuds, ripe raspberry, and watermelon
• The palate is dry, light, and refreshing, with mouth-watering acidity and a lingering finish
• Pair this with watermelon and feta skewers topped with fresh mint, balsamic drizzle, or a plate of grilled chili-lime shrimp — the ultimate summer cookout wine

According to MasterClass, rosé is one of the oldest styles of wine ever made. Rosé from the Temecula Valley tends to be dry, with low sugar content and high tannins. If you go for a tasting, be sure and compare.

Have you tried one or more? Which one is your favorite?