Life is short, but the dog days of summer are most definitely not… so why not take the time to stop and smell the rosé? Is it floral, fruit-forward, and fragrant? Favor can versus bottle? Sparkling versus flat? These days, the varieties are endless and a cool — even frozen — glass is an ideal way to pass the day away.
These hot Houston destinations are serving the still popular summertime sipper.
a’Bouzy
You’ll hear bottles of sparkling rosé — and much more — pop on the hour every hour (if not sooner!) with the wait staff playfully shouting “a’Bouzy!” at this champagne fueled patio bar. What could be more fun? Visit on a Thursday during happy hour from 3-6:30 pm and check out live music with revolving food and drink specials. The rosé of the day could be the Bell Provencal for $4 per glass, or it might just be something new.
Avondale Food & Wine
This retail wine shop and restaurant offers a whopping 30 rosés to get excited about, including six options available by the glass. A couple of pinks trending this season are Brendan & Tacy’s “Wah-Wah” Light, a natural, biodynamic, easy drinking wine and the Matthiasson Napa rosé made by “farm-to-table” hero Steve Matthiasson. Here, guests can opt to uncork a bottle within the bar or restaurant, or purchase bottles to take home and enjoy later.
B.B. Lemon
Nestle into a spot at the bar at Ben Berg’s hip Washington hangout and order off of the wine list, or make the obvious choice of hanging out on the patio for rosé all day. Score half a dozen cans of chilled BABEs in a B.B. Lemon bucket for just $32, available all day for a good time without the glasses.
Beckrew Wine House
At this quaint but chic River Oaks wine bar, guests are welcome to enjoy small and medium pours before committing to a bottle. A 3 oz. pour of the 2016 Domaine de la Villauderie Sancerre Pinot Noir from Loire, France is just $6; following up with a bottle paired with a cheese and charcuterie board or a chocolate fondue will surely follow.
Bisou
Indulging in rosé all day at this sceney River Oaks District restaurant and bar where the pretty people play is both welcomed and encouraged. Every Tuesday through Friday from 11 am to 7 pm, bottles of wine and bubbly are discounted, including sparkling bottles of Moet & Chandon “Rosé Imperial” and Beau Joie “Rose” for $69 or the aromatic and fresh Smoke Tree rosé for just $23.
Bloom & Bee
There is no more picturesque and posh place to enjoy a glass — or bottle, or two rather — than at Bloom & Bee at the Post Oak Hotel in Uptown. The restaurant’s pretty in pink interiors which spill onto the pristine pool terrace offer an enviable dining experience and a list of French rosés including Chateau Miraval, available by the glass or bottle, make it hard not to do so.
Brasserie 19
The rosé list is extensive at this River Oaks staple where boozing on bubbly is encouraged. Post up at the lively dual side bar or laze around the dog-friendly patio with Veuve Cliquot “Vintage Rosé” — here it costs just $123 for the coveted bottle. Find Château Miraval and Cherrier Père et fils, Sancerre Rosé by the glass, and a slew of tasty things that they will pair with.
Fig & Olive
It’s only natural that rosé is the beverage of choice at Fig & Olive’s new rosé terrace, but the chic Galleria restaurant is making Frosé Friday a thing this summer. In addition to offering a daily happy hour at the bar, Frosé Friday will feature additional specials as a kickoff to the weekend on the outdoor terrace from 4-7 pm, including $4 frosé, $4 beer, $5 flatbreads, and $1 oysters.
La Lucha
The liquor and cocktail list is vast at La Lucha, but opting for a rosé (or any wine or champagne) would be wise, as the list is curated by advanced sommelier Matt Crawford. Pairing with $1 oysters during the Saturday happy hour or late-night menu is a no-brainer.
Le Colonial
Rosé has always flowed like water at this buzzy River Oaks District destination, but now Le Colonial has introduced its own private label rosé, available daily for $48 — and, at a steal on Mondays for $24, during which all bottles of wine up to $100 are discounted 50 percent. The new Le Colonial rosé will serve as the base for this summer’s signature rosé sangria featuring Ketel One peach-orange vodka, Vietnamese syrup, and spices for a truly exotic cocktail priced at $15.
Light Years Natural Wine Bar & Shop
Rosés are romanticized as they should be at this vibey wine bar and hideaway, housed in a decades-old Montrose bungalow. Offering up a variety of natural wines, the availability of specific rosés may vary from visit to visit, but will no doubt be a selection not soon found elsewhere around town. The best bet for a sampling of the current juices? Visit on a Friday when the bar hosts tastings from 5-8 pm.
Nobie’s
Find rosé e’ry day on the wine list at Nobie's. The current menu offers five to choose from including the Authentique ‘Leisure’ Pinot Gris for $65 or the moderately priced Yves Cuilleron Syrah for $35. Get a head start on the weekend by visiting on a Thursday to score half off on all sparkling bottles of rosé. The Le Vigne di Alice prosecco, normally $60, is a steal at just $30.
Noble Rot Wine Bar at Conservatory
This basement bar is a convenient place to escape the heat and indulge in a glass of rosé when the craving hits. Located within the Conservatory food hall, this wine counter is quietly nestled among the many concepts located beneath the bustling streets of downtown, and lists a handful of rosé options including varietals from California, Italy, and France for just $8 per glass.
Postino
Drinking rosé all day at this Heights Mercantile wine café might sound like a fine idea, but gulping some down before 5 pm is an even better one. During Postino’s Happiest Hour, glasses of wine (and pitchers of beer) are $5 until 5 pm every single day. Night owl? Visit on Monday or Tuesday after 8 pm and spring for a bottle and signature bruschetta board combo for just $25.
Seasons 52
At Seasons 52, an advanced sommelier has curated a list of 52 wines by the glass, including a handful of rosés, which helps make pairing a little easier this summer. Varietals include the Jean-Luc Colombo Cape Bleue for $9.50 per glass and the D’Esclans Whispering Angel for $13.50 per glass. In addition, the restaurant has also opted for a festive rosé cocktail coined the Rosé Lemonade crafted with Ketel One botanical grapefruit and rosé vodka with Royal Post rosé and citrus.
Theodore Rex
Among the list of classic and adventurous whites and reds on the wine list at Justin Yu’s hideaway in the Warehouse District, there are more than 10 rosé options to choose from. Notables on beverage director Justin Vann's list include the savory and intense Clos Cibonne “Cuvee de Vignettes,” which is made from the obscure Tibouren grape in Provence and has had a long history both at Oxheart and at T-Rex, and the 2017 slightly spritzy, dryer Claus Presinger “Rosa Libre” from Austria, which has just recently become available. Don't forget that all wines by-the-glass are half off from 5-6 pm.
Tiny Boxwoods
Bask in the beauty that is this Houston institution and celebrate rosé as it is meant to be enjoyed — with a view. A simple list is offered by the glass or bottle, including the 2017 Château la Mascaronne Rosé from Provence, France, but truly, it is the restaurant’s serene gardens, which make celebrating the popular summer wine so enjoyable here. Just add cookies.
Vinny’s Pizza
At Vinny’s, a slice is nice, but it’s even better with a can of rosé. This EaDo pizza joint makes it easy to keep the party going by scoring rosé in individual cans — here, there are pink bubbles from Oregon — or a bucket of four for $25.
