Rosés for Mom

Mother's Day is as good a day as any to rediscover rosé. All pretty and pink in the glass, rosé adds a festive note to Mom's special day.

Swirl a bit of blush wine around and instantly rosé makes wine-drinking more fun. Happy vin rosé gives off a fruity-floral nose, perhaps with a hint of sweetness. On the palate, rosé explodes with clean tastes of vibrant, fresh fruit. No brooding allowed with these wines. Instead, you'll find blush wines bursting with bright red strawberry, cherry and raspberry flavors. Some rosés taste of chilled watermelon for added refreshment and juiciness. Want depth? Complex rosés offer earthiness, smoke or spice notes to herald a satisfying finish.

We fell in love with rosé all over again at our Winewomenpsp event at Ruth's Chris last October when we were introduced to Crios, the second label of Argentine wine maker Susana Balbo. Dinner came to a delectable close with a simply fresh dessert course of berries and cream paired to Crios Rosé of Malbec. We can still remember its delicate strawberry aromas and flavors laced by a touch of cinnamon on the finish.

When we ran out of Crios, we turned to French rosé and a change of pace from the Pacific Northwest. All are great buys at around $10 each.

Fans of frizzante will want to check out Château de Jau Côtes du Roussillon Villages Rosé 2007 at Dan's Wine Shop in Palm Desert. Tiny bubbles and lively acidity make this red berry-fruited rosé a spirited aperitif or accompaniment to appetizers and salads.

Head to Jennifer's Kitchen in Rancho Mirage for the Les Deux Rives Vignerons de la Méditerranée Corbières Rosé 2007. Made from Cinsault (15%), Syrah (35%) and Grenache (50%), this Western Languedoc rosé is a basket of berries with sturdy texture and a long finish.

For a dash of spice, look for A to Z Oregon Rosé 2007. This floral-scented rosé is made from 100% Sangiovese grapes grown in southern Oregon. A great food wine for chicken or fish, the A to Z delivers luscious strawberry-raspberry jam fruitiness goosed by a grind of nutmeg. BevMo's out right now but we'll track more down and let you know.

Get to know rosé this Mother's Day and enjoy its refreshment all summer long. Today, we'll raise rosé glasses in a toast to our mom Rose and wish her peace. Happy Mother's Day.