Forget the pale pink rosés of Provence. The wine of summer is here, and it is Rosa, an Italian Rosato from renowned fashion designers Dolce & Gabbana. The designers have celebrated the Italian sense of la dolce vita through their exuberant fashion collections for years, and now they bring their fabulous taste and dedication to Italian craftsmanship to wine in a collaboration with award-winning winery Donnafugata.
Rosa will transport you from wherever you are trapped indoors to the beautiful beaches, azure water, lush landscapes, and rocky coastline of Sicily, the birthplace of Domenico Dolce. Naturally, Rosa is made with native Sicilian grape varietals, Nerello Mascalese and Nocera, and the combination is unique and delicious. Nerello Mascalese grows on the slopes of Mount Etna, an active volcano on Sicily’s east coast in one of Sicily’s best winegrowing regions. The volcanic soil, high altitude, and strong sunlight on Mount Etna bring minerality and floral notes, including jasmine, to the wine. Nocera takes you to Contessa Entellina in the southwest and adds fruitiness to the wine, including wild strawberry and peach, while bergamot adds bright citrus for a dose of freshness. The unique blend of these indigenous Italian grapes is perfect for summer, and you can pretend you are on a perfect Italian beach while enjoying a glass (or two) of the crisp rosé.
Even the packaging is pure Dolce & Gabbana: It pays homage to the classic Sicilian carretto, the traditional horse-drawn cart used in the region. Of course, as this is Italy, a cart is not just a cart. These were ornate, colorful masterpieces that have inspired generations of Italian artists and designers. The label features a bright-blue floral motif that is offset with red flowers, a pale-pink-and-white checkerboard, and gold details. It might be the most Instagrammable wine of summer.
The wine is a 2019 vintage, so it is fresh, bright, and ready to drink now. But while the wine began in 2019, today it takes on a special message to the designers. They want to remind us that even during today’s trying times, we can still find pleasure in the little things, like gathering as a family for dinner with a great bottle of wine. Even though life is not as it was in 2019 when these grapes were grown, today there is a sense of conviviality and collaboration that the world has never had before.
Rosa will be released in June and is available for purchase at world.dolcegabbana.com
Words by @kristen_shirley_