La Nuit en Rose Founder Pierrick Bouquet’s 7 Must-Try Rosés

Photo Credit: Guillaume Gaudet

This month, the world’s first food and wine festival dedicated entirely to rosé—La Nuit en Rosé— will head to Los Angeles for the first time ever. Guests can opt for a four-course wine pairing dinner in participation with Wine Enthusiast at the Mondrian hotel’s SkyBar on June 20, or conversely, a more low-key wine tasting on June 21. In anticipation of the international event, which has been held in Miami and New York in recent years, founder Pierrick Bouquet sat down with Haute Living to share his picks for the seven rosés you simply must sip. Says the rosé enthusiast, “Rosé marks the transition between winter and spring/summer. It is synonymous of ‘joie de vivre’ at a summer gathering—barbecues, picnic, outdoor dinners—it is a summer lifestyle. Rosé is the drink to pair a light lunch or brunch with, a summer outdoor dinner and it’s the drink to bring to a party. It’s also the new drink to get married with!”

1. Château d’Esclans Garrus Rosé 2012

France, Provence, Côtes de Provence

By the makers of the famous Whispering Angel, this wine is worked like a top white Burgundy, aged in barrels, 90% free run juice to keep a very light pink/orangey color. This is the most expensive still rosé wine on the market now. It is THE wine to discover at the Rosé Wine Pairing dinner at La Nuit en Rosé on Saturday night, June 20 (tickets $250 for 4-course dinner with the wines of Chateau d’Esclans). 

2. Gérard Bertrand, Château la Sauvageonne rosé GMVV 2014

Languedoc-Roussillon, AOP Languedoc

A new wine blend of Grenache-Mourvedre-Vermentino-Viognier

New to the market, Gerard Bertrand has been working in the past few years on making “Grand Cru” wines from the Languedoc Roussillon, a region known for making affordable yet great quality wines. This is a very complex blend, very rich but with great freshness.

3. Domaine Tempier, Bandol Rosé 2014

France, Provence, Bandol

Handcrafted wine by one of the most respected winemakers in Provence.

4. Domaines Ott Château Romassan Bandol Rosé 2012

France, Provence, Bandol 

Domaine Ott has led the rosé category in achieving greater levels of quality. This is the best and most expensive wine of what Domaine Ott produces.

5. Krug Rosé 

 France, Champagne, Reims

6.  Jacques Selosse Rosé

France, Champagne, Avize

One of the first winemakers to apply the winemaking techniques of white Burgundy to Champagne.

7. Ca’ del Bosco Annamaria Clementi Rosé 

Italy, Lombardy, Franciacorta Riserva DOCG 

Will be paired with Calvisius caviar at the Rosé Wine Pairing Dinner.