Hooray for Washington State Rosé, the Anytime Wine

When my kitchen begins to smell like the sweet perfume of chicken potpie, I start to think pink.

Yup, rosé. That’s just the thing to drink alongside one of my go-to warm/fuzzy comfort foods, the take-n-bake pie from the Rub with Love Shack next door to Seatown.

I don’t just enjoy rosé in the summer months. Nope, I love it year-round and, judging by the steady increase of selections of rosé on wine lists I’ve pored over this winter, I’m not alone.

It might have something to do with the fact that rosé ain’t what it used to be, back when they called it blush. Or, worse, white zin. Not that I didn’t drink buckets of that back in the day.

Fortunately, over time, our palates have become much more sophisticated. (Insert tongue in cheek.)

Actually winemakers have moved in a leaner, cleaner, more European direction when making rosé, often playing up the varietal character of the red grape that’s the foundation for most of the best wines of a certain hue.

Take the Rose of Sangiovese from Barnard Griffin, for instance. Yes, its vibrant color might remind you a bit of Kool-Aid, but it’s far from sweet. That beauty’s got fruit, lovely tart berry and cherry flavors, but it’s crisp and bright. Bingo! Perfect with that potpie.

I’m also a fan of rosés of similar spunky style from these Washington state producers: Syncline, Chinook, Millbrant, DeLille, Su Lei Cellars, Jones, Cedargreen Cellars, Dusted Valley and Waterbrook.

Another thing I love about rosé is the price. Most of those mentioned above are in the $20 and under range. Mighty fine for drinking anytime, even when it’s cold and gray and potpie’s for dinner.