Saturday June 10 is National Rosé Day, and we’re tickled pink. The weather is perfect for al-fresco sipping and eating, and although we’re big advocates for year-round rosé consumption, early summer demands something pink in the glass. We don’t want to limit you to wine, so we’ve come up with three rosy options for you to explore on this thinly veiled excuse to Drink Pink.

Wolffer Dry Rosé Cider “No. 139”
($15 four-pack bottles or cans, Legends)

New York’s apple orchards are famed for their eating and baking apples but are also notable for the number of cider varieties they grow. Not surprisingly, NY cider output has grown too, and Wolffer Estate is among the best producers in the area. No. 139 draws from both eating and juicing varieties to craft a cider with fruity sweetness as well as a dry finish. The color comes from a dash of organic extract (of what, they don’t say), so the flavors here are still purely apple. Nonetheless, we love this playful pink spin on an American cider, which plays well with a range of picnic and patio foods.

Hugl Zweigelt Rosé 2022
($18 1 liter bottle, Kysela Pere et Fils)

Austria has always been great at producing fleshy, racy white wines, but it’s only in the last century that climate change has warmed things up enough to deliver reliably ripe red wine grapes. Austrian red wine production exploded in that time, and along with it, rosé. Zweigelt is a hybrid grape with characteristics similar to Pinot Noir; it’s light, juicy, and acidic. The rosé made from it is similar, with a pleasing fleshy characteristic and a refreshing, zingy finish. An ideal patio wine, it also pairs well with grilled or fried seafood, pizza, and even crabs.

Mirabeau Dry Gin “Riviera”
($37, Winebow)

Southern France is a romantic and picturesque region famous for its rugged beauty, Mediterranean climate, herbs, and wine. Mirabeau produces an ocean of rosé from Provence. It’s perfectly fine, but what piqued our curiosity was their newly launched gin. It’s a classic flavor profile led by juniper berry but comple- mented by traditional herbs and aromatics of Southern France and, interestingly, a healthy dollop of rosé in the distillation process. The result is a classic dry gin that’s not quite London-style but retains a formal continental elegance. We dig the color too—it makes for a rosy riff on any classic gin cocktail.

The days are growing longer, the crocus flowers are poking up through the ground, and the birds have come back to roost. Yes, the telltale signs of Spring are all around. While we know some don’t relish the idea of setting the clocks ahead an hour, we’re excited for another sign of spring’s return: the stacks of rosé proliferating at local wine shops. The fresh bounty of last year’s harvest is arriving, and we can’t wait to have a glass outside on the patio. Here are three suggestions coming soon to a wine shop near you.

Carol Shelton “Wild Thing Rendezvous” Rosé 2021
($20, Artisans and Vines)

California Zinfandel specialist Carol Shelton diverts some of the juice from her initial red wine ferments to this wine, meant to be a catalyst for convivial gatherings and good conversations. This wine is not trying to pose as anything other than a full-throated expression of some very flavorful grape varieties—Zinfandel, Carignan, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Light cranberry hues attest to its broad-shouldered nature, as it offers up bright strawberry, pomegranate, and citrus tones. It’s delicious on its own, and even better with light cheeses and snacks.

Mas Redonne Bandol Rosé 2021
($30, Kysela Pere et Fils)

Those who know rosé know that the Provençal hamlet of Bandol is home to the most elegant expressions of rosé in France, if not the world. Like all Bandol Rosé, Mas Redonne’s offering is mostly Mourvèdre and is typically salmon in color. It’s a sleek wine with pink grapefruit and hints of white peach and minerals. A slightly saline tone on the finish attests to the area’s proximity to the Mediterranean Sea. It’s truly delightful as an aperitif and pairs well with seafood.

THINK PINK: Some rosé production is a byproduct of red wine making; a percentage of juice is bled off after the fruit is crushed but not before it picks up color from the red grape skins that make it pink.

Marques de Caceres Rioja Rosado 2021
($15, Bacchus Importers, Ltd)

The Spanish region of Rioja is famous for its red wines—dry, finely structured wines that range from young and fruity to generously oaked. The Tempranillo grape dominates, so it’s no surprise that this rosado (Spanish for rosé) is made almost entirely from it. The result is a limpid wine with delightful strawberry notes and a clean finish. It’s the perfect way to kick off a night of tapas or simply as a patio sipper at the end of the day. If you’re planning to serve it with food, be mindful of its relatively light body and stick to cheeses, grilled shrimp, and other delicate fare.