Oregon-Washington Rosé Wine Uprising

Until a few years ago, we had little regard for Oregon-Washington Rosé wine and thought of it almost as "half-wine." We would skip it at tastings and pass in the stores.

Things changed a few years ago when we saw some of the highly respected Oregon wineries started producing Rosé wines. It took a reputation of the winemakers, and some will power from us to give it a try and... Rosé grew on us. It wasn't your aunt's gallon jug of sweet pinky Zin from California. It was a dry Rosé with flavors and aromas profile capable of exciting wine lovers senses. There's ongoing Rosé Uprising in Oregon and Washington in the past ten years.

Now, most producers offer their version of Rosé and wine lovers got a ton of choices. Here are just a few wines from a long list that we tasted and liked. This is a non-sponsored review, and we don't get paid for mentioning any of these wines and wineries.

2017 Clos Griotte Rosé of Pinot Noir is produced by one of the most respected winemakers of Willamette Valley of Oregon.

The innovative approach by Thibaud Mandet in creating this wine is reflected in color, aromatics, and flavors. Griotte has a vivid raspberry color that whispers in your ear, "You got to taste me!" On the palate, it's even more impressive because of its, Unexpectedly for Rosé, it feels like more substantial wine similar to Chardonnay, and yet it's light with flavors of sour cherry, strawberry, and earthiness.

2017 Gravel Road Rosé of Pinot Noir comes from Rollin Soles another veteran winemaker of Willamette Valley of Oregon. This beauty has a classy salmon pink color. In the glass, it is the balance of bright acidity and rich flavors of strawberry, peach, and exotic tropical fruit aromas.

2018 Domaine Divio Rosé is 100% Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley of Oregon. It was among the first Rosés we tasted that were released in 2019 is an excellent example of wines of this region. Strawberry and grapefruit complemented by baked apples and minerality.

2017 Rosé of Pinot Noir by Trisaetum was produced by the following saignée method. This rosé has a strawberry and watermelon profile with a touch of smoke and cheese.

We look forward to tasting 2018 vintage that was just released.

2017 of Julia's Dazzle Rosé of Pinot Gris comes from Long Shadows winery of Walla Walla wine region. It is one of the most delicate Washington Rosé wines we tasted.

Flavors and aromas have pear character complimented by yellow apple, pink nectarine, white flowers, and mineral note. It has balanced acidity and a slightly off-dry finish.

2018 Rosé of Pinot Noir by Ponzi comes from one of the pioneering wineries of Willamette Valley of Oregon. On the nose, floral notes of hibiscus and jasmine lead the way. Flavors of strawberry, apple, and sensible acidity make this wine a delight.

2018 Rosé of Grenache from Analemma Winery of Columbia Gorge wine region and located on Oregon side of Columbia River. We had a chance to taste it at Gorge Wines Portland Grand Tasting event.
It is dry wine with flavors of raspberry and strawberry. Analemma Rosé is a very well balanced combination of temptation on the nose and sensation on the palate.

2018 Rosé of Pinot Noir by Wy'East Vineyards was our favorite Rosé at Gorge Wines Portland Grand Tasting event.

It had sweet strawberry scent complemented by earthy and smokey notes. On the palate, it's dry wine with perfectly ripe strawberry flavor and right acidity.

On our trip to Walla Walla Valley of Washington for 2019 Spring Release event, we tasted a couple of excellent Rosés of Cabernet Franc.

2018 Rosé of Cab Franc from Northstar Winery from Walla Walla has a delicate pale pink color with an orange hue. It starts with aromas of strawberry, cherry and raspberry leaf associated with many Rosés but shows its own character with a touch of green pepper notes typical of Cab Franc. The flavors of strawberry and sour cherry are the natural extension of this Rosé. It has a well-balanced acidity and feels more substantial than average pink wine.

Another highlight from the trip was 2018 Rosé of Cab Franc from Amavi Cellars.

Amavi Cellars is among the few wineries in the state that makes wine from 100% estate grapes that are sustainably farmed.

We found Amavi to be the most balanced and rounded from all Rosés we tasted on our wine Swinging expedition to Walla Walla. It greeted us with aromas of strawberry, honey blossom, and dusty note. On the palate, it reminded us of a strawberry-rhubarb pie with a cranberry juice.

From all the wines we tasted, Cab Franc seems to be a more challenging grape to make Rosé with because some were mediocre at best. But Northstar and Amavi got it right, and both are a welcome diversity in Rosé family from this region.

There are lots of excellent local Rosés in Oregon, Washington, and we can keep going on and on, but there's Rosé bottle with our name on it waiting on the table. Here are just a few final thoughts.
Summer is around the corner, and you are going to need some wine to celebrate the sun and fun with. And Rosé is perfect for those lazy summer days on your backyard, picnics in the park, hikes, beaches, and boats if you got one.

Pairing Rosé With Food

It pairs well with many summer foods whether they are plant or protein-based burgers, fish off the grill or stove, fruits and veggies from your garden or orchid. Sometimes Rosé is food on its own because it pairs best with friends and lovers.

If you are Wine Swingers like us, check the calendars of the local wineries. Memorial Day is a couple of weeks away, and it's one of the best times of the year to head out to the wine country. Many Oregon and Washinton, and probably your local wineries release their Rosés and sparkling wines at this time, and there are festivities everywhere. It is also one of the few days of the year when some exclusive, by appointment and members-only wineries open their doors to the general public.

Got Rosé?