Wine of the Day, No. 874

A Greek rosé.

Here’s a bottle to lay on ice in the chest for your picnic.

The Stamnaki Rosé is unusual in that it’s a non-vintage wine, which means a blend of several vintages, in this case, in my estimation, 2024 and 2023. It hails from the part of Greece called The Peloponnese, a large peninsula to the southwest that connects to the mainland by the Isthmus of Corinth. Peloponnesus played, as you will recall from World History class, a major role in the chronicle of Greece, being the site of the first Olympic Games (776 BCE) and the Peloponnesian War fought between Athens and Sparta (431-404 BCE).

The Stamnaki Rosé is a blend of 80% roditis and 20% mavro kalavrytino grapes, made by the Denthis winery in stainless steel. The color is a ruddy copper-salmon hue — call it late sunset — and the scents of blood oranges, strawberries and pink grapefruit are fresh, vibrant and beguiling; on the palate, crisp acidity cuts an energetic swath through a lean and lithe texture that finishes with a bit of saline, seashell minerality and a dollop of candied melon. Drink through the end of this year with such outdoor fare as deviled eggs, fried chicken and cucumber sandwiches or, if you prefer, dolmades and spanakopita. Very Good+. About $21.

Imported by Eklektikon LLC, New York. A local purchase.