Most people think of Rosé wine as being a very sweet, low alcohol, fruity wine. Most people’s first association with Rosé wine came from such brands as Mateus, a Portuguese wine that became extremely popular in the 50s and 60s, and Lancers, also from Portugal, which was one of my mother’s favorite wines when I was growing up.

These wines where sweet, fruity, and very easy to drink. For many people, this was their introduction into a different favorite beverage other that beer or a cocktail. Today the choices are endless for wine consumers. If sweet wines are still your style, then you can drink such wines as Riesling, Moscato, Lambrusco, Muscadine (native to Georgia), White Zinfandel, or Gewürztraminer.

If your taste has evolved into drier wines, then your choices are endless. There are a growing number of wine consumers who will only drink dry wines and have their minds set that any wine that is pink in color, like Rosé, has to be sweet (example, White Zinfandel). They are reminded of their early wine drinking days when this was predominantly the case and dry Rosé wines where not only unpopular, but hardly available to the consumer.

Today, dry Rosé wines are one of the fastest growing segments in the market. Dry Rosé are being made in almost every wine growing region of the world. Although France is the leader in the category, there are some outstanding Rosé wines made in Spain, California, Italy, Argentina and Australia. To make a Rosé wine, winemakers remove the grape skins when the grapes are pressed, allowing the skins to contact the juice for only a brief time. Rosé wines are made from the same grapes as red wine. Color and taste will depend upon the exact grapes used. Rosé can be made in both dry and sweet styles.

Rosé wines are perhaps the most versatile, food-friendly wines around. They can pair with anything from a light salad, fish and chicken dishes, antipasto, pork and ham, to spicy cuisines. Also, you can purchase great dry rose for under $15, which makes it a great value given the economic challenges of today.

Many people are finding out that the crispness and lightness of Rosé is very refreshing in hot weather, leading them to being often referred to as summer wines. They are perfect for picnics or for sipping by the pool or lake.     

So if you are looking for something different to try this summer, give a dry Rosé a chance. Just as screw caps have overcome their stigma, so will Rosé!           

Suggestions for Dry Rosé:

Domaine Houchart Cotes de Provence 2009  – $12.99

A blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Cabernet and Mourvédre , this wine is lighter than some of the others with red berries and good mineralogy.

Domaine du Vieux Chene Cotes du Rhone 2009 Rosé – $12.99

This is a 100 percent Grenache Rosé is a little heavier with great depth and structure.  

Sauvion Rosé d’ Anjou 2009 Loire Valley – $12.99

This is made with Gamay and Groslot. Very light and smooth and great with Asian cousine.

Muga Rioja Rosé 2009 – $12.99

Made from Tempranillo, this is my favorite Spanish Rosé. Great value!

Kapcsandy Family Winery 2009 Rosé Napa Valley – $33.99

This is for the serious Rosé drinker who is looking for depth and complexity not often found in other wines. This could be one of the best Rosé wines I have ever tried and it better be at this price.

— Matt Garofalo is the owner of The Oconee Cellar Wine & Spirits located next to Publix on Hwy 44.