One Rosé and Two Vins Gris
by Tom Wolf
2022 Bandol Rosé
France | Provence
For many of my colleagues who love red, white, or sparkling wines first and foremost, new arrivals of revered Burgundy, Barolo, or Champagne elicit profound joy and anticipation. But as someone who loves rosé above all else, this is the bottle I most eagerly await year in and year out. From the world’s greatest site for Mourvèdre—Bandol—Tempier’s rosé is what I open for celebrating milestones, holidays, or a home-cooked family feast. Classy and classic, perfectly balanced, incredibly versatile at your table, and so expressive of the flavors and aromas of the Provençal coast—rosé doesn’t get better than this.
2022 Vin de France Rosé “Au Petit Bonheur”
France | Southern Rhône
Forgive me, non-Tolkien fans, but I can’t help thinking of Mithril when I take a sip of this gorgeous vin gris. Like the precious Middle Earth metal that resembles silver and is both stronger and lighter than steel, Les Pallières’s rosé looks ethereal—you might easily mistake it for a white wine—yet when you take a sip, your taste buds are flooded by intensely vivid flavors of Provençal herbs, red berries, melon, and succulent citrus. The Brunier family is best known for their reds, but they make a dynamite rosé, too.
2022 Reuilly Pinot Gris Rosé
France | Loire
Citrusy aromatics, bracing salinity, and a mineral backbone make it a mouthwatering match for tangy, fresh-herb-laden soups like tom kha gai or pho.