Drinks

5 American Rosés to Drink on the Fourth of July

Drinking rosé wine has never been so patriotic

By Sara Tane


Published on July 3, 2015

Every Friday this summer, we will be celebrating Rosé Fridays, and sharing stories and information on the best of pink wine around the world. Today, the 5 American rosés that you need to know about for the Fourth of July.

When celebrating the Fourth of July holiday, it's only polite to decline a glass of European rosé and pledge one's allegiance to the vineyards residing on American soil. (That's considered patriotism, right?) Luckily, a number of American winemakers are making this very easy for us, according to chef Rob Newton of Brooklyn's Wilma Jean.

At his Southern comfort food restaurant, Newton offers an all-American wine list to go along with his fried chicken and burgers. So we spoke with him about his favorite American-made rosés, and will be drinking them this weekend while grilling burgers and watching fireworks.

Fox Run Vineyards, Rosé of Lemberger 2013
Lemberger grapes, native to Germany, are uncommon in the states. Lucky for us, Fox Run Vineyards in upstate New York grows them, thus allowing us to drink like Europeans while supporting the fruits of our country's home-grown labor! Fox Run Vineyards borders Lake Seneca, which provides an excellent buffer against weather extremities, making it feasible to grow grapes in a cold climate. What Newton likes most about this rosé is that it's extremely user-friendly. "It's not too rich, but it's not too light. It's right in the middle with a good acidity, so it's really easy to drink," he says, and suggests pairing this rosé with your favorite go-to burger, ribs, or chili. Carnivorous, rosé-loving Americans rejoice!

Robert Sinskey Vineyards, Vin Gris of Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir rosé is typically more complex than your typical pink wine, with deeper and more intricate layers of flavor. As Newton put it, "[This is] a wine that really makes you pay attention to what you're drinking." Drink this complex rosé with cured meats and cheeses, olives, or anything bitter.

Charles & Charles, 2013 Rosé
Newton sees this wine as consistent year to year, easy to pair with food, and extremely well-balanced. It's grown and produced in Washington State's Columbia Valley vineyards, and it's known for its bright acidity and citrusy finish. If you're feeling adventurous, Newton encourages you to pair this rosé with a green mango salad, or any light, summer fruit salad.

Silver Thread Winery, Dry Rose of Pinot Noir 2014
Another vineyard that overlooks Seneca Lake in New York, Silver Thread prides themselves on an environmentally friendly wine cellar and sustainable farming practices. Newton says, "The wine really opens up. It has a couple extra layers of flavor that you can uncover as you drink it." If you're planning on grilling simply prepared steak or seafood, like lobster or shrimp, this Fourth of July, this a great summer wine to add a bit of complexity to your meal.

Mouton Noir, Love Drunk 2014 Rosé
This rosé is produced in Oregon, and it's mostly chardonnay with a little Pinot, making for a crisp and refreshing rosé. The flavors are strongly reminiscent of Champagne, yet still infused with the cool-climate grape variety for which Oregon is best known: Pinot noir. Newton looks to coconut curry chicken or Mexican-style corn as fitting counterparts.

Rosé of Lemberger, $15 at shop.foxrunvineyards.com
Vin Gris of Pinot Noir, $32 at astorwines.com
Charles & Charles 2013 Rosé, $14 at wine.com
Dry Rose of Pinot Noir 2014, $16 at silverthreadwine.com
Love Drunk 2014 Rosé, $17 at amazon.com

Continue to Next Story

Want more SAVEUR?

Get our favorite recipes, stories, and more delivered to your inbox.