Just in time for summer, and the Solo Vino rose' tasting. Rosé20 & less Lynne Char Bennett Sunday, May 24, 2009 More... On this holiday weekend, the unofficial start of summer, thoughts turn to chilled, refreshing wines like dry roséThe versatility of a dry pink makes it easy to pair with warm-weather dishes. Rosés often made from red Rhone grape varieties, both single varietals like Syrah and Grenache, and blends. Pinot Noir rosé a favorite - is generally more expensive because of the cost of the fruit. The past few years have seen a rise in the amount of roséroduced. Many wineries seem to take roséore seriously, rather than making it as a by-product of their red wines. More wineries are jumping on the bandwagon as demand increases, so there is plenty of rosén the marketplace now to try. Here are some recommendations, but taste around to find your favorite as a refreshing accompaniment to summer fare. 2008 Angove Nine Vines South Australia Grenache/Shiraz Rosé$13) The Nine Vines brand of Angove, one of Australia's oldest family-owned wine companies, gets its name from the nine vines remaining in its original historic Adelaide vineyard. Bright cherry and spiced raspberry aromas and flavors; shows a bit more body and fruit intensity. Good acidity with hint of plum skin-like tannins on the finish. 70 percent Grenache; 30 Syrah. (Importer: Trinchero Vineyards) 2008 Bonny Doon Vineyard Vin Gris de Cigare California Rosé$15) Santa Cruz-based Randall Grahm, who has produced wine since 1983, put a flying saucer on the label to poke a little fun at the Chateauneuf-du-Pape 1954 decree banning alien spacecraft from landing in vineyards. A slightly spiced, refreshing light quaffer with a hint of astringent bite on the finish. Almost 60 percent Grenache with smaller amounts of Cinsault, Roussanne, Mourvedre, Syrah and Grenache Blanc. 2008 El Coto Rioja Rosado ($12) Since the release of El Coto de Rioja's first bottling in 1975, the Rioja Alta winery - which now owns about 65,000 American oak casks - has become a leading brand in both Spain and Europe. The floral perfumed nose has highlights of red cherry and plum; delicate palate of light strawberry with slight skin tannins on the finish. Made from equal parts Grenache and Tempranillo. (Importer: Frederick Wildman & Sons) 2008 Paul Jaboulet Aî Parallele 45 Cotes du Rhone Rosé$13) Founded in 1834 by Antoine Jaboulet, this winery is still run by the Jaboulet family. The name refers to the 45th latitude of France's Rhone Valley. This dry roséhows strawberry, cherry and red raspberry juice. Very refreshing, with tart cherry and good acidity; an initial hit of tartness segues to a long finish. Contains 50 percent Grenache, 40 Cinsault and 10 Syrah. (Importer: Frederick Wildman & Sons) 2008 Robert Hall Rosée Robles Hall Ranch Paso Robles Rosé$14) Winery founder Robert Hall purchased his first vineyard in 1995 after deciding to settle in Paso Robles. Winemaker/director Don Brady came on board in 2001, and now works with a wide range of grapes, including most Rhone varieties. Medium bodied with red raspberry and cherry aromas and flavors with a hint of tangerine peel, plus enough acidity and stuffing to take on foods like roast pork or a grilled ham and cheese sandwich. A blend of 47 percent Grenache, 41 Syrah and 6 each of Cinsault and Mourvedre. -- To learn more about rosésee the links with this story on sfgate.com/food. http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/05/24/FDOJ17MK0G.DTL This article appeared on page E - 5 of the San Francisco Chronicle -- ------------------------------ * Dr. James Ellingson, jellings(a)me.umn.edu * * University of Minnesota, mobile : 651/645-0753 * * Great Lakes Brewing News, 1569 Laurel Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104 *