Rosé’s popularity has surged in recent years, and for good reasons. These pink wines range from crisp and bone-dry to slightly fruity or even sparkling, making them versatile companions for everything from seafood to backyard barbecues.

And while the pink drink may have once been considered a seasonal novelty, today it’s one of the most versatile wines being produced, and Kitsap’s winemakers are proving that world- class rosé doesn’t have to come from Provence.

Find a step-by-step guide on how to host your own seasonal rosé tasting using local wines below.

  1. Choose a variety. Pick three to five rosé bottles, perhaps a local
    Puget Sound bottle alongside a Provence-stylerosé and a sparkling rosé.
  2. Serve chilled. Rosé tastes best around 45–50 degrees, just slightly warmer than refrigerator temperature.
  3. Keep the food simple. Charcuterie boards, fresh fruit, salads, and grilled appetizers are perfect companions.
  4. Let guests compare styles. Encourage them to notice differences in color, aroma, and sweetness levels. Print out tasting sheets from online to guide your guests in a fun tasting experience. Set the mood with string lights and pink tablescapes.

Bonus tip: For those wanting to take it a step further, find out how to pair rosé with food in this article by contributor Brooke Huffman.

Brooke Huffman is owner of The Social Sip, a social media marketing agency for wineries. She has an MBA and also holds a wine fundamentals certificate from the International Sommelier Guild and is a Level...