Rosé wine grows into summer favorite

Fresh and playful, rosé wine is the perfect summertime quaffer. Light and refreshing, often layered with hints of juicy fruits like freshly-picked field berries, and tree-ripened peaches and nectarines, it also is a versatile wine that goes with virtually any food.

Yet the public’s embrace of anything chilled and pink is still often associated with pinks of the 1980s, namely cloying, sweet, white zinfandels. But today, rosés are experiencing a global rebirth as the crisp, summertime-anytime wine.

Much of its burgeoning success during the past several years is due to rosé’s increased quality. Once made from leftover red wine, an increasing number of wine producers now make the blushing hued wine with the same intention and integrity as the others. Rosés get the pink tint from a period of contact — usually just a few hours — between the juice and pigment-rich grape skins.

While rosé is made throughout the world, the Provence region of France is considered the birthplace and the world’s largest wine region specializing in dry rose. According to Wines of Provence, an organization representing more than 600 wine producers and 40 trade companies from the Provence region, for the 12th straight year, exports of all types of rosé wines from Provence to the United States have grown by double digits. The iconic dry rosé wines of Provence in particular have performed better still, with an astonishing 58 percent increase in sales volume over the past year.

Figures like this confirm that America has fallen in love with rosé. It is further evidenced by its almost instant star quality on Instagram, appearing in thousands of posts with hashtags such as #RoséAllDay #RoséSeason, #Roséwine and #YesWayRosé. With people enjoying them at home, by the pool, on the patio, at lunch and with dinner, rosé has come to be associated with a laid-back, yet luxe lifestyle.

Las Vegas sommeliers are offering an increasing array of pinks, including Paul Peterson, head sommelier of Bouchon inside The Venetian, who recently introduced a special selection called the “Summer of Rosé” to the menu. Between now and Sept. 21 the restaurant is offering new rosés by the glass, half-carafe and bottle — all day, every day — and guests who order a bottle of pink wine will receive gourmet goodies from chef de cuisine Josh Crain.

“We are offering three French rosés and two domestic, representing many styles, regions and varietals ” Peterson says. “Rosés celebrate all that summer is — summer fruit harvest in a glass that is refreshing and fun.”

Peterson says he likes that rosés create a casual environment and are not meant to be taken too seriously.

“It pairs up with all the great things that are in season,” Peterson says. “It makes you to want to take another sip. It’s quenching.”

Bouchon’s new offerings include:

Pascal Jolivet, Loire Valley, Attitude Rosé 2015 — $13, $39, $52 (glass/half-carafe/bottle)

Jolie Folle VdP de Mediterranee 2015 — $11, $33, $55 (1 liter)

Domaine de Figueirasse VdP des Sables du Golfe du Lion “Gris de Gris” 2015 — $10, $30, $40

Soliste, Sonoma Soleil Rouge, Rosé de Pinot Noir 2015 — $16, $48, $64

Paradigm, Napa, Rosé of Merlot 2015 — $18, $54, $72

Dishes accompanying the rosés will change monthly:

July: Tuna nicoise salad, layered with tomato marmalade, egg white, egg yolk, haricot vert, diced tuna potato salad and nicoise olives

August: Panisse (chickpea fritters) and nicoise olives, pasilla pepper vinaigrette

September: Sweet, seasonal melon wrapped in prosciutto

The Review-Journal is owned by the Adelson family, majority owners of Las Vegas Sands, which operates The Venetian.