The Vanderpump rosé brings delicious drama to the glass
This week’s wines feature a perennial value from South Africa, a raucous rosé from Provence and a splurge-worthy white from Sicily that shows what wine lovers call “a sense of place.”
A.A. Badenhorst Curator White Blend 2023
Two and one-half stars
Coastal Region, South Africa, $13
Adi Badenhorst’s Curator white and red blends are tremendous values, year after year. This 2023 white marries chenin blanc with chardonnay for body, and viognier for aroma. The result is a floral, off-dry wine that’s delicious on its own or with casual dishes. Alcohol by volume: 13 percent. Bottle weight: 435 grams (Light).
Imported by Broadbent Selections. Distributed locally by Winebow.
Vanderpump Rosé 2023
Three stars
Côtes de Provence, France, $23
Fans of the Vanderpump Rules — as well as regular, non-reality-tv-fan base who like rosé — will appreciate this juicy wine. With the saline, wild herb character that makes Provençal rosé so fascinating, but with extra exuberant fruit, it should appeal to American consumers. Just as with its namesake show, don’t look for subtlety here, just delicious fun. This isn’t lovers tucked into a quiet cafe in Nice, this is “Woohoo! We’re on the Riviera!” ABV: 13 percent. BW: 725 grams (Heavy).
Imported by Palm Bay International. Distributed locally by RNDC.
Monteleone Etna Bianco 2022
Three and one-half stars
Sicily, Italy, $54
Mount Etna keeps erupting, and the wines grown on her slopes persist on the palate with an expression of their place. It doesn’t take much imagination to taste the firm acidity from volcanic soil and the saline sea air off the Mediterranean as expressed by Sicily’s native carricante grape. Even if you don’t taste the “sense of place” so prized by winelovers, the wine may get you thinking about planning a trip there. ABV: 12.5 percent. BW: 555 grams (Average).
Imported and distributed locally by Elite Wines.
Prices are approximate. For availability, check Wine.com, Wine-searcher.com and the websites and social media feeds of the wineries, importers, distributors, and your favorite local wine store. You can also ask your local retailer to order wines from the distributors listed. Bottle weight is included, because this is the single most important contributor to wine’s carbon footprint.
Legend
One star: Good: The wine delivers what it promises at a fair price. If it says chardonnay, it tastes like chardonnay.
Two stars: Excellent: A wine with character and added interest. May elevate your eyebrows at the first sip.
Three stars: Extraordinary: An exciting wine that stands out from others in its class. Fist-pumping, table-thumping good.
Four stars: Sublime: Otherworldly. May have you thinking, “So this is what they were talking about.”
Comment threads are monitored for 48 hours after publication and then closed.