WASHINGTON — Mother’s Day is a week away, but this year, I am getting an early jump on the day set aside for the women who give a lot more than they get … every day.
So I plan on giving a little something that I know the mother of my children will appreciate: rosés. Not the flowers — even though that is a wonderful fallback plan — but the pretty pink wines that are perfect for the occasion.
Rosés are typically made from popular Rhone varietals, including carignan, Grenache, mouvedre, and syrah, and are often described as having the body of a red wine with the crispness of a white wine. This is a result of the winemaking process where the skins are kept in brief contact with the juice after the grapes are crushed so that the wines take on a pinkish hue. Their unique characteristic allows dry rosé wines to pair well with a wide range of cuisines, including Mexican, Middle Eastern, Thai, Spanish and Indian.
Oh — and don’t forget to get mom a card. (You have Anna Jarvis to thank for that. She is credited with initiating the first Mother’s Day event in the early 1900s.) Just remember to attach it to a bottle of one of the following wines. They’re the perfect gift for mom next Sunday and all season long.
A perennial favorite around our house is the Non-Vintage Gloria Ferrer Non-vintage Brut Rosé. It is a blend of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier grapes grown on Gloria Ferrer’s 340-acre estate in the Carneros region of southern Sonoma County. In addition to being delicious and versatile, the bright pink color is festive and inviting. Ripe strawberry, juicy watermelon and raspberry hit the front of the tongue like a kid on a waterslide. Bright notes of red cherry fruit bring up the rear of the vibrant, refreshing finish. $29
If you can’t take mom to the south of France, then bring the south of France to mom with the 2017 Chateau Minuty M de Minuty Limited Edition from St. Tropez. This vintage’s label is sporting a new design created by renowned artist Ashley Mary that reflects her travels on the St. Tropez peninsula. One sip of this vibrant, dry rosé and you just might be transported there as well. The nose is fresh with pure, sweet notes of raspberry and strawberry. The wine is completely dry and features pure fruit flavors of wild strawberry, red cherry and peach on the palate. The wine is fresh and bright with a long, clean, fresh finish. $23
A wonderful value-oriented rosé comes from the land down under: New Zealand. The 2017 Kim Crawford Rosé is crafted using 100 percent merlot grapes from New Zealand’s Hawke’s Bay. It sports a beautiful pale pink hue and exudes perfumed aromas of bright strawberry and kiwi (no pun intended) on the nose. In the mouth, juicy flavors of red raspberry, watermelon and strawberry fruit sing on the lightly textured, medium-bodied profile that’s perfect for a hot summer day. $15
From one of California’s most historic wineries comes a rose that is sure to be a big hit with moms everywhere. The 2017 SIMI Winery Dry Rosé from Sonoma is a romantic ode to the gorgeous rose garden that Isabelle Simi, daughter of founder Guiseppe Simi, planted on the property in 1904. Throughout the years, Isabelle planted a new rose bush for every U.S. president, excluding Hoover (her personal protest against prohibition). With a vivid coral pink hue, this dry rosé is forward and fruit-focused with bright acidity, a nice body and structure and a long finish. The nose features ripe strawberry, watermelon, tangerine and a hint of white flower. A crisp palate of fresh strawberry, red cherry, citrus and melon makes this wine refreshing and perfect for spring sipping on the beach or paired with a grilled vegetables or fresh fruit. $16
