Buttonwoods Grove Rose

Grove Rosé comes from Buttonwoods and is labeled as a Massachusetts wine, which puts it among the cool-climate, Northeast-grown rosés. The details we have don't name the grape blend, the vintage or the alcohol level. Check the bottle label for those. Rosés from this part of the country usually run dry to off-dry, with fresh red-berry fruit such as strawberry and cranberry, a hint of citrus peel or melon, and a light body. Cooler growing seasons tend to keep acidity bright and alcohol moderate, so expect a crisp, clean finish rather than a rich or heavy one. Tannin should be barely noticeable, and oak is unlikely to play a part in a style like this. Serve it well chilled, around 45 to 50°F, which is a couple of hours in the refrigerator or about 30 minutes in an ice bucket. Colder than that mutes the fruit, and warmer makes the wine feel soft and flat. It doesn't need decanting. Pour it straight from the bottle into a standard white-wine glass or a small tulip-shaped glass, which keeps the berry and citrus aromas concentrated while the wine stays cool in your hand. For food, light, salty and herb-driven dishes suit a rosé of this weight. Good choices include steamed or fried clams, lobster rolls, grilled shrimp, oysters, goat cheese salads, tomato and basil dishes, and charcuterie. The acidity also handles lightly spiced grilled chicken or a picnic spread of cold cuts and soft cheeses. Heavily sauced red-meat dishes would overwhelm it. Rosé of this kind is built to be drunk young. Open it within a year or two of the vintage, while the fruit is at its freshest, rather than cellaring it. Once opened, recork it and keep it in the refrigerator, and finish it within a few days.