Calling rosé a summer essential is somehow still an understatement. Within five years, the pink wine displaced everything else to the point of causing notorious shortages in 2014 and 2015, but that’s not likely to happen again.
“I don’t think we will be running out of rosé this season,” says Sebastian Auvet, co-founder of Vin Sur Vingt wine bars. Importers have learned to bring in more rosé wine each year, with demand so huge that they’ve begun seeking out new and underexplored wineries around the world to find them. “I think last summer surprised the industry when lesser-known regions and producers of rosé were fairly successful.”
So much for not being considered real wine. With such a cult following, it was only a matter of time before rosé-themed events and wine bars arrived to keep wine lovers in the pink lifestyle to which they’ve grown accustomed. Check out some of the best ways to live the rosé way.
La Nuit en Rosé
Sail away for a night of sipping under the stars at the fourth annual La Nuit en Rosé. Spend two leisurely hours cruising on the lux Hornblower Infinity Yacht with live music while sipping more than 100 varieties of rosé, with a specialty cheese bar, a Pasta & Risotto Lounge and frozen treats by DF Mavens. For the true devotees, spring for VIP access that grants you an extra hour aboard and an exclusive paired tasting of wines and food. $95-$195, May 18-20, 3-4 p.m., 7:30-10:30 p.m., Pier 40, 353 West St., lanuitenrose.com
Rosé Terrace at Perrine
For some French ambiance with your rose, head uptown to The Pierre, the Upper East Side hotel that just opened a new sidewalk Rosé Terrace straight off the streets of Paris. Located just off Central Park with a menu inspired by summer in Provence, the terrace will highlight wines by Château d’Esclans, makers of the Hamptons’ official rosé Whispering Angel. Beginning the week after Memorial Day, arrive at 5 p.m. for a weekly Rosé Thursday happy hour, plus special celebrations for France’s biggest summer events like its La Fête de La Musique summer solstice street party on June 21 and Bastille Day on July 13. 2 E. 61st St., perrinenyc.com
Sabbia
Each spring is a chance to take a trip to the Italian seaside without ever leaving NYC. Eataly Flatiron’s rooftop bar Sabbia returns to its full Mediterranean splendor with cabanas, a bruschetta bar and shucked-to-order oysters beginning May 1. But this year, the rosé craze has properly arrived in Italy, with a massive wine list of over 50 pink wines to choose from as well as a housemade frosé cocktail. They’re even shutting down the rooftop on Friday, May 25, for a special all-rosé dance party to welcome the summer. 200 Fifth Ave., eataly.com
Pinknic
It only debuted last year, yet summer would already feel incomplete without Pinknic, the rosé-themed music festival on Governors Island. The all-pink (check the dress code, even for guys!) weekend of outdoor eating, lawn games and dancing returns June 24-25 with longer hours for extra summer vibes, plenty of frosé and a Ferris wheel for those perfect city skyline snaps. $75+, pinknic.com
Rosé Soirée
Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, when the Hamptons throws open its beaches and gardens for the sun-starved urbanites desperately seeking some tranquility. Welcoming you with an evening of art and local wines is Dan’s Rosé Soirée at the Southampton Arts Center on Sunday, May 28, with a garden full of over 25 rosé varieties from wineries in the Hamptons, North Fork and beyond, plus bites from area restaurants and some of NYC’s hottest chefs. VIP tickets include an afterparty with live music and Rock Angel rosé. $99 through May 1, then $125; VIP $185, 25 Jobs Lane, danstasteofsummer.com
