The saying goes “Rosé All Day” and I can see why, there are so many rosés made in Kelowna to enjoy, I had a hard time narrowing this down to 10! While I love all wines (red, white, pink and sparkling) during the summer and Kelowna’s heat it’s just too hot for my palate to truly enjoy reds (hint hint...watch for a post on red wines this fall), thus, during the summer I enjoy Rosé.
Fun fact for those that don’t already know, you make rosé by leaving the grape skins in the tank with the juice when the grapes are crushed; the longer the skins sit in the tank the darker the colour – some wineries leave the skins in for just a few hours while others leave for a few days. Here are some of my must sip rosés to pick up before they are sold out.
1. The View Winery
Distraction Frizzante - this wine is made from the View’s estate-grown Pinot Noir, Pinotage and a blend of aromatic whites coalesce in the vivacious sparkling rosé featuring succulent notes of strawberry and pink grapefruit can be found at this winery located in East Kelowna.
2. Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery
Zweigelt Rosé – Made from 100% Zweigelt this wine is farmed beside their winery and has a profile expressing watermelon, strawberry, spice and orange zest from this winery located in West Kelowna.
3. Sperling Vineyards
Brut Rosé - this “classic method” sparkling is born of their heritage family vineyard on the mountain air cooled South Kelowna Benches, where we have tended vines since the 1930s. Made from 100% Pinot Noir.
4. St. Hubertus Estate Winery
Razz Rosé - This vibrant summer sipper shows flavours of spicy strawberry and cranberry. St Hubertus & Oak Bay Vineyards were originally planted in 1928 by J.W. Hughes during a time when good agricultural land was plentiful. The vineyards of St Hubertus and Oak Bay are some of the oldest in the Okanagan Valley located along the lake in Kelowna’s Upper Mission.
5. Kitsch Wines
Pinot Noir Rosé - The beautiful colour looks just like it smells: Strawberries & Cream, watermelon and happiness. Their single-vineyard wines embody the rich soil and sun-soaked valleys of the Okanagan and is located in East Kelowna.
6. Intrigue Wines
Social Rosé – a blend of Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Merlot, Rotberger and Kerner. Aromas of strawberry, rhubarb and candied apple and flavours of ripe strawberries and watermelon from this winery located in Lake Country.
7. Ricco Bambino
Rosé – Made from organic Cabernet Franc this savoury rosé is an exceptional representation of land and a light hand. Ricco Bambino is Kelowna’s newest urban winery and is located in Downtown Kelowna.
8. The Vibrant Vine
Rosé - Antique pink colour, beautiful fruit and floral nose with aromas of strawberries, white flower, red liquorice followed through with a smooth fruit driven, long-lasting, clean finish from this winery located in East Kelowna.
9. Kalala Organic Estate Winery
150 Frizzante – made from a blend of Blaufrankisch, Chardonnay and Gewurztraminer has cherry, liquorice and citrus flavours on the palate. Sip it chilled on a hot day on its own or with a light summer fare and can be purchased at this winery located in West Kelowna.
10. Beaumont Family Estate Winery
Gamay Rosé – this wine has aromas of ripe red cherries, strawberry jam and a hint of rose petal perfume. The palate is lively and intense with flavours of wild raspberries that lingers on. Pick up this wine at their winery located in West Kelowna.
