Each week this month, we are highlighting a bottle for Rosé all May
Rosé wines are light, bright, and refreshing. Often sipped chilled, they have subtle hints of the well-loved red wine grapes that are used to make them—but with a crisp, fresh twist. You’ll commonly find red fruit aromas and flavors of strawberry, cherry, and raspberry, along with floral, citrus, and watermelon notes. There are also herbal and vegetal qualities such as celery, rhubarb, and pepper.

Rosé has stood the test of time—some of the first documented wines in ancient Greece and Rome were Rosé. And, today’s rosé today is not your grandmother’s White Zinfandel (though that style of winemaking persists). Rosé is having a rebirth and has recently become trendy. But, this time around it’s often dry.

Since the pigment in red wines comes from keeping fermenting juice in contact with the grape skins for an extended period, it follows that a pink wine can be made using just a brief period of skin contact—usually just a couple of days. The resulting color depends on the grape variety and winemaking style, ranging from pale salmon to deep magenta.

Blackbird Vineyards Arriviste
Napa Valley 2023 Rosé | $20.99
Beautiful salmon-pink in color, the Arriviste explodes in a festival of aromas. The 2023 captivates with a medley of stone fruit aromas, complemented by hints of hazelnut, strawberry, and orange. The palate offers a dense texture with balanced acidity, showcasing flavors of strawberry, plum, and citrus zest. The finish is bright and fresh, leaving lingering notes of strawberry, peach, and plum.

Truly a delightful experience either paired with lobster risotto or enjoyed poolside.

Blend: 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc

About Blackbird Vineyards’Small-Lot Napa Valley Wines
Blackbird Vineyards is an artisanal producer of Bordeaux-inspired wines from Napa Valley. Crafted by esteemed winemaker Aaron Pott, each wine in the portfolio is a true example of Blackbird’s ongoing commitment to quality and diversity of terroir by partnering with a selection of Napa Valley’s most prestigious vineyards. These include sites in high altitudes of Spring Mountain and Atlas Peak, the alluvial terrain of Saint Helena and the Oak Knoll district in Napa, and the cool climates of Carneros.

Instead of relying on one single vineyard, they spread their wings and source grapes from all over Napa Valley. No wonder they have garnered a cult following over the past 20 years!