This past spring, I introduced unique Rosé to members of our community located in the Low-country of South Carolina. The tasting was a revelation to many neighbors as they worked through nearly a dozen wines from Australia to France to California. Unique grapes; different hues of ‘pink’; different ABV; and different prices was the theme of the evening.

However, while Rosé may have been a revelation to our South Carolina friends, it is certainly ‘caught on’ with wine consumers across the world.

Rosé has been on the rise in popularity. The Wine Economist reports that Rosé sales in the United States alone is growing by more than 40% each year. The WE reports that this increase is the “fastest growth rate of any varietal’. In a nation as wine savvy as is France, Rosé outsells white wine and accounts for nearly 30% of all wine sold in the country. And, the Wine Economist reports that although France is the world’s largest producer, it “actually imports Rosé from Spain”. Spain produces an inexpensive product, but Spain also produces quality wine, and it allows France to export some very popular (Provence) wines.

There is a world-wide growth in consumption that transcends both gender and age. And, while there is greater consumption of Rosé in the summer than in other seasons, you will find Rosé in your favorite wine shop, and on the list of your favorite wine bar, throughout the year.

This brings me to Crushed Fine Wine in Mt. Pleasant. I always try to stop by this very small, but very interesting, shop. Owner Desmond Garrity (his wife Betsy is co-owner) tracks small production wines that rarely find a spot on the shelves of larger stores. Desmond suggested that we would like the 2017 Smoke Tree Rosé.

He was right…

Sourcing grapes from old vine Zinfandel, Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah (from vineyards located in California’s Mendocino, Lodi, and Lake Counties, Smoke Tree seeks “vineyard partners that sustainable”.

The winery began life in 2013 and released its first wine in 2014. This is a very pale wine with excellent elements of strawberry and rose petals that offer wonderful acidity and outstanding balance. The Smoke Tree Rosé is soft on the nose and crisp on the palate.

The Smoke Tree can be found in virtually every state and should sell on the retail shelve for about $18.

For most Rosé drinkers the hope is a wine that is young and refreshing. The Smoke Tree Rosé meets both of these requirements.