Six, yes six rosé wines from River Stone!
As the saying goes, when life hands you lemons, you make rosé! Ted Kane’s River Stone winery in Oliver has taken this to heart with an impressive six rosé wines now available.
Known for its Bordeaux-influenced red wines, River Stone Winery faced a challenging decision: to forego red wines entirely. After a few tough years marked by low winter temperatures, they realized that their red varieties wouldn’t meet their high standards. The shift in focus towards sparkling and rosé wines was a tough choice but ultimately the right one, and what a treat for consumers.
Rosé wines are not only perfect for summer outings, patio lounging, beach days, and picnics, but they are also incredibly versatile and food-friendly year-round. They pair beautifully with a wide variety of dishes, including chicken, ham, turkey, salmon, charcuterie platters, and tapas.
It is important to clarify a common misconception: rosé wines, especially those from British Columbia are not sweet. While some may have a hint of residual sugar, they are predominantly dry. Serve these chilled on the patio, and you’ll find them delightful even without food.
The majority of BC rosés are dry, so be sure to give them a try and enjoy the refreshing taste they bring to any occasion.
2023 Sparkling White Merlot
$27.90
Cherry red with medium intensity. An appealing nose of strawberry, earth, watermelon, cherry, and melon. Good balance with mouth-filling mousse. The flavours echo the nose followed by a medium-plus finish with flavours lingering. Very yummy.
90 Points
2023 Sparkling Syrah
$27.90
Dark cherry red with medium-plus intensity. Cherries, dark red berries, spice, bramble, black pepper, and red currant on the nose. Very good balance. Full on the palate with lots of strawberries, cherries and citrus flavours dominating. A medium-plus finish. This is a big sparkling wine.
91 Points
2022 Rosé
$24.90
A blend of Cabernet Franc and Syrah. Pale rosé red with medium-light intensity. Delicate, but well-integrated strawberries, cream, vanilla, melon, honeysuckle and grapefruit on the nose. Good balance. Pleasing on the palate with floral and strawberry flavours standing out. followed by a medium finish. A lovely charcuterie wine.
90 Points
2023 Cabernet Franc
$24.90
Cherry red with medium-minus intensity. An inviting nose of strawberry, cranberry, cherry, red currant, and raspberry. Good balance. The flavours follow the nose and are a little more intense than is typical for a rosé. A medium-plus finish.
90 Points
2022 Malbec Rosé
$24.90
How nice to have a rosé made from Malbec. Cherry red with medium intensity. Strawberry, cranberries, cinnamon, citrus and raspberries on the nose. Very good balance. The flavours mirror the nose followed by a medium-plus finish. Very nice.
93 Points
2023 Rosé (Corner Stone)
$24.90
Dark cherry red with medium intensity due to 2 days of skin contact (reminds me of Rosato wine). Juicy red berries, cherries, pomegranates, black currants, cinnamon, and black tea on the nose. Good balance. Flavourful on the palate with strawberries, cranberries, rhubarb, and spice notes followed by a medium-plus finish. Corner Stone fans really must give this terrific BBQ wine a try. We enjoyed it with grilled burgers.
91 Points
Remember, any day is Rosé Day!
(All photos – Sam Hauck)
