Best Rosé Wines

HIGH

“Strawberries!” says the back label on the 2009 Honest John’s Rosé from the South Okanagan’s Road 13 Vineyards. And for once the back label is correct. Stick your nose in the glass and it’s like a strawberry U-pick on a midsummer’s day. The 2008 topped the rosé category in our wine awards this year, and the 2009 is even better. Mainly Cabernet Franc with some Syrah, both are lightened with a dash of Riesling. (Road 13’s Honest John series speaks to the winery’s new focus on blends.) Cherry red, deliciously fresh, slightly mineral, this rosé boasts perfect acidity for outdoor eating and drinking. Glorious with spot prawns or Dungeness crab.

LOW

At a weekend lunch in a country restaurant in northern Spain—whether it’s tapas, pintxos, or platters of grilled meat and vegetable with garlicky aioli—nine out of 10 families will be drinking rosé. Try the new vintage of perennial favourite Marqués de Cáceres Rioja Rosado and you’ll understand why. It’s everything rosé should be: coral pink, crisp, juicy, and supple, fit for whatever’s on the table, from salads to seafood and even grilled lamb chops. Affordable, too. Kudos to the importer for making sure the 2009 vintage has been on the shelf since the beginning of summer. Youth matters. VM