Seven Favorite Rosés for Under $20 - Wine of the Week

Gretchen Roberts has passed the introductory course at the Court of Master Sommeliers and is studying for her sommelier certification this fall.

Here we are at the start of the idlest season of the year, when it's so hot you have to relax, when the produce is so bountiful you can't help but gobble it, and when life gets simpler and so should your wine.

Which brings me to rosé, the ultimate summer wine. Why? Because rosés, made from red grapes but drunk chilled and fresh like white wine, are pretty, refreshing and incredibly evocative of some of the best summer fruits -- and the newest releases are hitting the store shelves right now.

Seven inexpensive rosé picks after the jump.

What makes a good rosé? "Good" to me is light, refreshing, low in alcohol and full of fresh fruity flavors. Bad is a rosé trying too hard to be a red wine: overly extracted, which makes the color too deep and the wine too heavy, and overly alcoholic (and therefore dehydrating).

Unlike some wines (New Zealand's Sauvignon Blanc, Burgundy wines) that are just tailor-made for a specific place, good rosé can hail from anywhere. And because there are so many delicious and inexpensive versions around, I suggest never spending more than $15 or $20 tops for a bottle.

Here are seven rosés from around the world that fall squarely into the "good" category:

Red Guitar Rosé 2007 ($12) comes from Spain, where some of the best rosés in the world are made. It's made from 100 percent Garnacha and has simple but lively strawberry flavors. Music lovers will enjoy the label.

McDowell Grenache Rosé 2008 ($15) hails from Mendocino, Calif., and while it breaks my rule for low alcohol (at 15 percent it might knock you out if you chugged it as a thirst quencher), the nose is incredibly fragrant with violets, roses and sweet strawberries, and the wine itself is so balanced that it doesn't taste "hot."

Robert Oatley Rosé of Sangiovese 2008 ($18), from Australia, is a little on the pricey side, but it's got an incredibly bright nose of strawberries and raspberries.

Montes Rosé of Syrah 2008 ($17) has a dark, almost raspberry color with a raspberry taste to match. It's on the high end price-wise but is delicious, and comes from a reputable Chilean producer.

Clos du Bois Rosé 2007 ($12), made from 70 percent Merlot and 30 percent Syrah, falls squarely into the value category. Like many rosés from California, it's dark, deep and full-bodied with hints of spice.

Chateau de Campuget Rosé 2007 ($11), from France's Rhone region, is perfectly fresh and full of light strawberries.

Francis Ford Coppola "Sofia" Rosé 2008 ($15) comes in a beautiful, curvy bottle that makes it a tempting buy all on its own. The wine itself is a lovely, classic rosé.

Got a favorite rosé? Please share in the comments!