Winesday with Gary Vee: Think Pink this Summer with a Provençal-Style Rosé from the USA & Recipe for Mussels “Marinières!"

This Winesday, Gary shares his thoughts on rosé wines and gives us a fabulous recommendation from the USA. Perfect for drinking this Memorial Day - Enjoy!

"With Spring in full effect, it's getting to be rosé season. Ladies, this will go great with all those outfits and guys, don't be afraid of the pink stuff! On a more serious note, there's so much more out there than just that sweet, White Zin your Grandma used to drink. The 2009 Azur Rosé from Napa Valley is inspired by the great rosé wines from the South of France. Bone-dry with great strawberry and rose petal characteristics, it's making a push to become one of the best domestic rosé wines I've ever had."

Gary's Tasting Note: An almost coppery kind of rose shade, with a little hint of strawberry and rose petal on the nose. Wonderful acidity...this is yum-yum city. Kudos to Azur for allowing me to believe that there's real potential for rose in California. At the time of the tasting, I don't know this wine's price but if it's under $25, it's making a push for one of the best domestic premium roses I've ever had." Score: 89+ points!

The Azur California website shared this recipe that pairs nicely with a Provençal-style rosé like this one. One of the things I love about rosé is it pairs nicely with a variety of dishes or, frankly, nothing at all. Hope you enjoy this one!

Mussels “Marinières” 
"Recipes from Provence" by René Husson
Serves 6 
9 lbs of mussels 
2 garlic cloves 
1 large onion 
2 shallots 
1 bunch of parsley 
3⁄4 cup of crème fraiche 
1 cup of white wine Olive oil
Debeard the mussels and rub off the excess seaweed, rinse in cold water.
In a large pot, warm the olive oil and sauté the minced shallots and onion, then add in the chopped parsley.
Add the mussels and let simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring from time to time.
Pour on the white wine and continue simmer for 5 minutes.
At the last moment, add the crème fraiche, stir in and serve right away.