Rosé wines are harbingers of spring in Charlotte, usually arriving with the tulips and Ruby-throated hummingbirds. Alas, this year many rosés are not yet available, due to delayed shipments and slow distribution from U.S. East Coast ports to distributors’ warehouses. The tariffs on wine from France, Spain, and Germany were lifted on March 5. There was uncertainty as to whether tariffs would be retracted, so orders by distributors and importers were pared back. 

“There was concern that U.S. consumers would not be willing to absorb 10 to 25 percent price increases,” says Bill Bowman of North Carolina importer Bordeaux Fine and Rare. Once retracted, US importers scrambled to get their wines shipped from European ports as soon as possible. However, with the shortage of shipping containers and docking space, Alex Herndon of Petit Philippe is not expecting French rosé availability until June.

There are quality rosé wines produced in almost all wine making areas in the world, including the U.S.A.’s West Coast, Austria, Australia, and Argentina. Many rosé consumers still regard the region of Provence, France to be the bellwether of fine rosé. There are some good quality California rosés on the shelf, but most of them are over the $20 price point that Unpretentious Palate strives to feature. There are also a few gems from 2019 that are still drinking well. Rosé has balanced acidity and low alcohol, which allows the wines to age and drink well for three to four years. Bowman said that rosé from South Africa is a good alternative, as they are often made from Cinsault, one of the grapes used to make rosé in Provence. Rosé from Austria will be available in April, made from pinot noir (dry, herbs, strawberry) or Zwiegelt (floral and sweet cherry). 

Rosé wines are often considered summer wines but they are very versatile with all types of food, from spring lamb and asparagus to summer grilled foods, Thanksgiving, and winter soups. When you find wines that you like, stock up – there will probably be less of it around this year.

Here are some worthy rosés that my sleuthing has discovered.

Love You Bunches 2020 Stolpman Vineyards Central Coast, California
100% Grenache
Light body, refreshing acidity, nose of raspberry, tarragon, strawberry and a hint of cinnamon on the palate. $16.99, Whole Foods.

H&B Cotes de Provence 2019
A blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Vermentino
The nose has delicate red fruit and herb notes. The palate is dry, spicy, salty, with a hint of strawberry. $19.95, The Loyalist Market.

Matthiasson 2020
45% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, and 5% Counoise
The grapes are from an area northwest of Sacramento and Napa Valley. The color is a very pale pink, with orange peel and pink roses on the nose, very dry and refreshing. $29.95, Foxcroft Wine Co.

2020 Jolie Laide Witters Vineyard, Sierra Foothills, El Dorado, CA.
100% Gamay
Very high elevation vineyards yield slow ripening fruit with balanced sugar. A hint of pink grapefruit on the nose, with red berry, mineral and anise on the dry palate. $29.99, Foxcroft Wine Co.

2019 Domaine du Salvard Cheverny, Loire, France
65% Pinot Noir, 35% Gamay
Queen Anne cherry on the nose, mineral, herbs and strawberry on the palate. $22, Petit Philippe.

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