THE RISE OF ITALIAN ROSÉ

Now trending: a rival for the French throne.

It’s been a hot couple years for rosé. The category’s consumption was on the rise by double digits, year after year leading up to the pandemic and you can only imagine what our nebulous work-from-home, day-drinking did to those numbers. (The proliferation of pink tumblers and tees singing its praises—yes, waaay—certainly haven’t hurt things.)

Beyond its being refreshing and delightfully easy-to- drink, rosé’s popularity can partially be attributed to its existence as a symbol of the good life: long afternoons in the sun, no work, no worries... It should come as no surprise, then, that the latest news in the wine world reports the rise of Italian rosé (or rosa, as they say).

That’s right. France’s pink elixir is being challenged in dominance by the country who practically wrote the book on leisurely, wine-glazed afternoons. Italy has even formed a national organization, the Rosautoctono Italian Wine Institute, to promote producers who are leveraging Italy’s rich terroir to create top-quality bottles.

Next time you’re at Sassetta, ask for the Calafuria Tormaresca Rosé. Hailing from Puglia, it’s a lovely complement to a light salad or salty antipasti with notes of red berries, peaches, and bright citrus. Cin, cin!

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The Details: Sassetta, 1530 Main Street. Complimentary valet at The Joule.