Sandy Giovese 'Rosie' Vino Rosato

Sandy Giovese 'Rosie' Vino Rosato is a bone-dry Italian-style rosé built on a 60/30/10 blend of Sangiovese, Merlot, and Lacrima—three grapes that rarely share a bottle but converge here with precision. Sangiovese, the backbone grape of Tuscany and central Italy, supplies tart red-fruit acidity and herbal undertones; Merlot rounds out the midpalate with weight and depth; and Lacrima, a rare aromatic variety, contributes floral violet notes that thread through the glass. The structure is uncommon for rosé—medium-minus in body, vibrant, and engineered for drinkability rather than extraction. Sandy Giovese sources from organically farmed vineyards, a choice that shows in the clarity of fruit and the absence of heavy-handed winemaking. The blend mirrors the field-blend traditions of central Italy, where Sangiovese was historically planted alongside softer international varieties to temper its angular acidity. Vinification leans minimal—likely direct-press or brief skin contact to preserve the wine's pale color and bright acid line—and the Merlot component, typically harvested earlier in cooler climates, adds subtle richness without tipping the wine into the heavy, sunset-pink territory of warmer-climate rosés. On the palate, expect strawberry, white cherry, cranberry, and watermelon, with a violet floral note riding above the fruit and a whisper of herb—thyme or dried sage—on the finish. The acidity is present but not aggressive, making the wine easy to pair: crisp summer salads, charcuterie with Castelvetrano olives, grilled shrimp, or soft cheeses like fresh mozzarella. It drinks equally well as an aperitif on a rooftop or at the table with lighter proteins—roast chicken, salmon crudo, or margherita pizza. Pour it cold, between 45 and 50 degrees. In stock at Off Premise in Lincoln Park.