Back in the stone age when I began drinking dry rosé, if you told me there was a book about pink wine I would have questioned your sanity. So I’m a bit gobsmacked that this year I can recommend not one but two books about rosé.
You can hear me opine about them during my segment on Snacky Tunes:
Also check out the rest of the show, where hosts (and brothers) Darin and Greg Bresnitz travel down to Mexico City to speak with chef Gabriela Cámara about her restaurants Contramar (Mexico City) and Cala (San Francisco) and much more. (Including her celebrated tuna tostada.) And take a stroll down the musical archives with a performance by Midnight Magic, a “Brooklyn dance music ensemble.”
Two Recommended Rosé Books
Drink Pink, A Celebration of Rosé by Victoria James
James is beverage director at Piora and Cote restaurants in New York City. (Listen to my interview with James for the Wine Enthusiast podcast.) She’s written a slender, charming book that delves into the history of rosé, how it’s made, top regions, notable producers, plus food and cocktail recipes. And, like fine white or red wine, James advises to avoid the plonk and seek out serious, well- and responsibly-made bottles. And drink them year-round. Which is certainly warranted. (Duh.)
What I really like about Drink Pink is its breezy style in the midst of expert substance. It’s not a weighty tome that overwhelms or intimidates. Really, it’s the kind of book you’d want to take with you on a picnic while you drink rosé. I also have to comment on the delightful, whimsical, creative illustrations by Lyle Railsback.
One of my favorite things about working at Wine Enthusiast is how the art department shorthands them as “illos.” I feel so magazine-insidery when I say “illos.” Really, I’d love for the magazine to do an all-illo issue. Anyway, illustrations are much prefered to corny stock photos. And they convey a sense of welcoming and set a tone wholly appropriate for rosé.
Rosé All Day: The Essential Guide to Your New Favorite Wine by Katherine Cole
I really enjoyed Complete Wine Selector by Cole and this book reminds me of that one in that it’s comprehensive yet not stuffy. Her personality really comes through when she talks about the wines she loves (and doesn’t love). Cole has a way of discussing rosé and introducing pop culture references (and beyond) in a most compelling manner. It’s not easy to read through lists of wines with descriptions without getting…fatigued. Cole does it with aplomb and that’s quite a feat.
It’s a much longer book than Drink Pink, with a lot more specific bottle recommendations, and photos of said bottles at the end of each chapter (which does make it easier to find a specific one next time you’re at your local wine shop.) You’ll also find deeper profiles of notable producers and wines, like a page or two each.
(There are fantastic illos, too.)
Rosé All Day functions well as a reference tool to bolster your knowledge about wine and give you specific guidance on how to diversity your pink wine portfolio.
Now between my podcast jibber-jabbering and these two books you are totally set for life, or at least for another year, when it comes to rosé knowledge.
Hey, read this far? Here’s a song from Midnight Magic to get you movin’.
Top image via La Bastide Blanche, one of my all-time favorite rosés. It comes in magnums, too!
