Lioco Rosé of Carignan 2024

Why this set of wines? Because, hopefully, our idyllic Wisconsin summer is finally here and it's time to enjoy chilled, summery whites and rosés. Maybe I was inspired by planting so many flowers in the garden with my fiancée, but the theme of this set of wines turned out, to my palate, to be a story of gorgeous flowery aromas unfurling in the glass!

This is the best rendition of Lioco Rosé I have had in many years. Quite frankly, I was charmed by this 2024 Mendocino beauty when first tasting it. Aromas of white guava, chrysanthemum and pennyroyal roll off the nose, which leads to rosewater, white raspberry and peach on the palate. Infinitely chuggable! Pair it with anything from the grill—it's light-bodied but so delicious it will work. Fish, vegetarian foods, southern French and Moroccan are all a match. And, if you're following Ottolenghi, this wine truly sings with his cuisine!