Is it a rose, light red, skin contact, field blend.... or simply delicious adult fruit juice? Who cares. These are all vinos of the crunchy variety, wines whose obvious aesthetic appeal is backed up by their easy charm and drinkability. Wines for whom a pint glass almost feels appropriate. 

VINI RABASCO, CANCELLI ROSATO, ABRUZZO, ITALY, 2023
100% Montepulciano 
Iole Rabasco inherited her family’s small vineyard and olive grove, neither of which have ever been treated with chemicals, and she’s taken that blessing and run with it. Her 3.5 hectares are located in the village of Pianella and Loreto Aprutino, in the province of Pescara, about 20 kilometres from the Adriatic Sea. Everything is done by hand, and depending on the vintage, this wine often has no sulphites added. The wine itself is full of joyful red fruits, and quenching cranberry-like acidity. 

RUTH LEWANDOWSKI WINES, CUVEE ZERO ROSE, MENDOCINO, USA, 2023
Touriga Nacional, Souzao, Tinta Roriz and a tiny bit of Sauvignon Blanc 
Garnet in the glass with purple hues. The nose has aromas of red and black fruits (blackcur-rant, blackberry strawberry and raspberry) and vegetal notes. The palate is lively and very fruity with supple tannins. The finish is fruity, floral and miner-al. Concentrated and balanced.

PEDRO OLIVARES, LA MOLINERA TINTO, JAEN, VALENCIA, SPAIN, 2022
100% Molinera
A lovely extremely pale red. Subtle nose of red berries. The palate is light bodied, a refreshing red, raspberry fruit with a Mediterranean wild herbal note.

NINO CARAVAGLIO, ROSSO NON ROSSO, SALINA, SICILY, 2024
Nerello Mascalese, Corinto Nero, Calabrese and others 
The Palmento di Salina wine shows a bright red color. More than any other wine, it really represents the traditional ways of the Aeolian Islands: using various grape varieties and macerating in the typical concrete and stone basin (the “palmento”). Juicy and exuberant. Serve chilled. 

CHRISTIAN BINNER, SI ROSE, ALSACE, FRANCE, NV
Gewurtztraminer & Pinot Gris
Wonderfully perfumed, this has aromas of tangerines and rosewater, and flavours of rose hip, ripe apples and grapefruit.

CASA BALAGUER, ROSADO DE PADILLA, ALICANTE, SPAIN, 2022
100% Monastrell
Pale pink colour. Fresh red fruits on the nose with orange peel and rose petals. Some balsamic aromas mix with notes of baked earth and clay from the amphorae. Aromatic and fruity on the palate with fresh acidity. Plenty of texture, a deep and nourishing amphora aged rosado, no added sulphites.