Rosé-tinted glasses

Now that it's officially summer, it's time to start opening easy-drinking wines that are better suited for warm weather (if you haven't started already!). A dry rosé is always my first summer sipping choice.

Stepping Stone by Cornerstone makes an excellent coral-colored wine appropriately named Corallina. This rosé made from Napa Valley-grown Syrah grapes has elegant aromas of rose petal, lavender, and berries. The palate offers flavors of ripe strawberry, cranberry, and currant with vibrant acidity. This rosé finishes dry with a lingering note of tangerine and red fruits.

Rosé can be paired with many summertime dishes; in fact, I think it's more of a food wine than white wine.

The 2011 Stepping Stone Corallina Syrah Rosé is robust enough to stand up to red meat (such as burgers and ribs), duck or grilled salmon--I recommend you have some on hand for your next BBQ. This wine also paired beautifully with a salad I made last night of mixed greens, avocado, fresh figs, and goat cheese with Brianna's Honey Mustard vinaigrette. The pairing possibilities are endless.

Fewer than 500 cases of this wine were produced so it's bound to sell out quickly. Available for purchase at the Cornerstone Cellars tasting room in Yountville or from the website for $20/bottle. Sample received courtesy of Cornerstone Cellars for review purposes.

Don't take my word for it....pour yourself a glass of rosé and see your summer through rose-tinted glasses (they're better than beer goggles haha). Cheers!