With Mother’s Day forthcoming this Sunday, a note to gift givers: women are more likely to drink wine than any other alcohol beverage. Just saying.
You already should know the wine your mother and/or the mother of your children enjoy. If you do not, stop, ask directions. I know it is hard. Do it anyway.
Roses and rosé are a charming pairing, and you will find suggestions on a dozen rosés below to pair with the dozen roses extorted by America’s florists. Do this and you may be able to forgo the chocolate and greeting card vultures.
Can’t fail strategy: ask mom what wine she likes. Buy a bottle of it, pair it with a meal, salad, cheese of her choice, clear the table, do the dishes, give her a kiss. Thank me for whatever ensues after you start the dishwasher.
Tasting notes for a dozen rosés:
• Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Reserva Rosé 2017: Fun, easy drinker with pleasing tartness to complement juicy, ripe fruit. $9-11 Link to my review
• Raimat Costers del Segre Rosada 2017: Red fruit fruity with intriguing evolution from initial sweetness followed by tartness of pink grapefruit and sharper fruitiness of cab and tempranillo. $10-11 Link to my review
• Cà Maiol Valtènesi Riviera del Garda Classico Chiaretto Rosé 2017: Light, delicate, delicious, extraordinarily versatile easy drinker. $10-12 Link to my review
• Little Black Dress Rosé, California 2017: Uncomplicated, fruity, very smooth easy drinker. $10-12 Link to my review
• Klinker Brick Winery Bricks & Roses Rosé, Lodi 2017: Built in a trim, lithe, delicate style from Rhône grapes. Pretty in the glass. $14-15 Link to my review
• E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône Rosé 2017: Profoundly rich, round. You don’t expect a rosé to be this big, to deliver such impressive substance. $14-17 Link to my review
• Bonterra Rosé, Mendocino County 2017: Raspberry, key lime elements give it dimension beyond cherry, watermelon. Fresh, bright, delicious in its own way. $16 Link to my review
• Left Coast Cellars Willamette Valley Estate Rosé 2017: Crisp, clean, excellent acidity, tasty red fruits, creamy texture. $17-24 Link to my review
• Château de Berne Inspiration Rosé Côtes de Provence Rosé 2017: Lovely textbook expression of Provence rosé, comes in a striking bottle. $20-22 Link to my review
• Domaines Ott Côtes de Provence Rosé By.Ott 2017: Elegant, smooth, creamy, bright, fresh with noteworthy finish. $20-25 Link to my review
• Urban Provence UP Rosé 2017: Delicate, versatile, quintessential Provence rosé with all the Provence touch points—theatrical bottle, dramatically ethereal color, precise graceful flavors. $23-26 Link to my review
Last round: Did you ever feel you drank too much wine celebrating Mother’s Day? Me neither.