National Rosé Day is June 9th, and there’s no better way to celebrate good times with good wine. And, talking of good wine, in recognition of the imminent celebrations, E. & J. Gallo is sending a bouquet to its rosé fans from its portfolio of award-winning wineries. We’ve also added some tips on choosing the perfect glass to sip from.

Contained in the bouquet are a variety of distinct flavors, including Fleur de Mer (Flower of the Sea), a sweet Provencal rosé that pays tribute to the valleys of Provence’s charming vineyards, delightful gardens and breeze from the Mediterranean coast. Brut Rosé from the Gallo family’s  J Vineyards & Winery is a sparkling wine with a vibrant, pink salmon hue that offers layered aromas of fresh strawberries, raspberries, Fuji apples, rose petals and a savory swath of toasted hazelnuts.

The Gallo bouquet also offers the dry, bright and crisp Dark Horse Rosé that pairs perfectly with an afternoon picnic. Barefoot Cellar’s award winning Rosé has also found a root in the bouquet. Composed of sweet cherries and watermelon, a sip of this delicious wine always ends with a smooth finish. It is perfect for brunch as it pairs beautifully with the likes of both savory quiches and strawberry cobblers. You can also find an abundance of bold fruit flavors, such as strawberry, watermelon and raspberry, in the Apothic Rosé crafted by Apothic winemaker, Debbie Juergenson.

E & J. Gallo Winery was born in September 1933 when brothers Ernest and Julio Gallo produced a staggering 177,847 gallons of wine in the first year of operation. The winery has been family owned since its conception and aims to focus on quality, respect, and teamwork. E. & J. Gallo is the leading provider of California wines in select markets and in 2017 was selected as one of the nation’s best places to work. Check out E. & J. Gallo’s portfolio, and you are sure to find a smooth, refreshing taste you’ll love. 

Which Wine Glass?

Now you’ve chosen your favorite wines to sip on National Rosé Day, now comes the question of which glass to choose.  Have you ever wondered why wine glasses come in so many styles? How do you know which kind to use? Does it really make a difference? “The world of wine glasses can seem intimidating,” says Gabe Geller, a top sommelier and Director of Public Relations for Royal Wine, a leading producer, importer and exporter of wines and spirits, which wants to demystify the wine glass so people can spend more time enjoying their wine – and less time worrying about the vessel. “The varieties of glasses are endless,” says Geller. “The truth is, it can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be.”

Red, white, rosé, sparkling or dessert wine?

It’s all about physics, says Geller. “The bowl of the glass is designed with surface area in mind. Red wines generally need to breathe, so a fuller, rounder bowl with a wide opening suits them best. Whites stay cooler in bowls that are straighter on the sides.” Rosés can be served in white wine glasses because the two are produced similarly. But, says Geller, there are glasses made specifically for rosés. They have shorter bowls that are slightly tapered and sometimes have a flared rim. “The rim affects the way you sip,” he explains. “The flair helps direct the wine directly to the tip of the tongue.”  Tall, narrow glasses, sometimes called flutes, capture the carbon dioxide in sparkling wines, keeping the bubbly bubblier. The smallest of them all is the dessert/fortified wine glass, designed to send the sweet sip directly to the back of the mouth.

Glass or crystal?

In theory, crystal is preferable to glass. Geller says the biggest advantage to crystal is its mineral content, which makes it durable enough to produce very thin stemware. This allows for a smoother flow into the mouth, not to mention a clearer view of the wine’s color and viscosity.

But does it affect the taste? Some insist it does. According to the website Wine Tasting Reviews, “The best explanation offered so far is that crystal is rougher than regular glass and this roughness creates turbulence in the wine which, in turn, causes more of the aromatic compounds in the wine to be released.”

But for most people, the main difference between crystal and glass is cost. Geller says it’s perfectly acceptable to serve wine in a regular glass made of glass – preferably one that’s clear, un-etched, and uncut to better see what’s inside. Again, it’s easier to enjoy your wine when you’re not worried about breaking your valuable crystal.

If you had to choose just one type of glass…

Many in the industry share a healthy skepticism when it comes to amassing a collection of “perfect” glasses for every type of wine on the market. Some even suspect it’s all a marketing ploy by upscale stemware manufacturers. Geller agrees. “There’s no reason to think you’ll ever be judged by your stemware,” he says, “and you don’t have to be a professional sommelier to choose the right glass.” In fact, you can get by with one set (or two if you like to serve bubbly). Geller recommends a thin glass with a large bowl that narrows at the top, ideally holding about 13 oz. of wine.