Rosé wines and spritz cocktails surge in popularity for summer gatherings

Rosé wine has become a staple of summer entertaining, with producers in France, the United States, Spain, Italy and other regions offering a range of styles. French rosés, typically made from grenache, syrah, mourvèdre and cinsault using a direct‑press method, set a global benchmark. In the United States winemakers often employ the saignée technique, extracting a pink juice from red‑wine must, which yields a fuller‑bodied rosé. Prices have risen, with many premium bottles now costing well above the traditional $15‑20 range.

The Pale brand has introduced a rosé‑based spritz that mixes The Pale rosé, Aperol, raspberry syrup, fresh lemon juice and sparkling water. Described as bright, citrusy and layered with a subtle berry finish, the cocktail is promoted as an "instant occasion" beverage for summer gatherings. A full recipe—including ingredient quantities and preparation steps—has been shared for home‑made versions of the drink.