The pick: Casillero del Diablo Reserva Rosé, a budget-friendly, dry pink wine.
Backstory: Pink wine is a trend that doesn’t appear to be fading any time soon. In fact, the category is now expanding to include rosés from regions we didn’t even know were in the pink, as well as wines made from grapes we don’t usually associate with blush wines. There’s no reason, though, why it can’t be made from any red wine grape, since the colour comes from skin contact. This Chilean rosé from Casillero del Diablo is a perfect example of a surprising new offering, since Chile is better-known for value reds and fresh whites than pink wines and this wine is made with Shiraz and Cinsault grapes, both of which are unusual for pink wines. So unusual, in fact, that it’s being marketed as a “rosé for red wine drinkers.”
Why you’ll like it: Unlike a lot of fruit-forward rosés, Casillero del Diablo Rosé doesn’t scream strawberries, citrus, melon and spring flowers. Instead, it’s dry, low in tannins and has more subtle tasting notes that are more in line with stone fruit than fresh berries. If you’re drawn to pink for the fruit, this isn’t the wine for you, but, since it’s dry, light-bodied and very refreshing, it represents a diplomatic choice, perfect for picnics and late afternoon dockside fun.
Pink wine always needs a good chill, but this one will start to reveal a little more flavour if it’s allowed to warm up a couple of degrees after taking it out of the wine cooler or refrigerator. It’s a little light on flavour but, since it’s widely-available and affordably-priced (under $15, generally), it’s worth taking a chance on.
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