Even though September is almost here, we are still experiencing hot days and cool nights, the sun shines every day and no rain is on the horizon. Summers are truly paradise here in the Pacific Northwest. I planted a garden this year and am harvesting more zucchini, squash and cucumbers than I can keep up with. I’ve given so much away to friends and neighbors. I keep looking for new recipes to fix all the zucchini and squash. Pinterest has become a bit of an obsession.

To go along with the summer vegetables and grilling, I’ve found a wonderful Rosé wine. It’s a Washington, Rosé from Columbia Valley called Soaring Rooster, from Tagaris Winery. It’s a young wine, vintage 2016 with an alcohol content of 12%. I found it quite by accident. I had gone to our local wine and liquor store in search of a particular German beer and there right by the carts was a display with this wine. The bottle looked interesting and the wine inside was a dark reddish pink, darker than most rosés I have seen and tasted. It was reasonably priced at $12 a bottle, so I grabbed a bottle.

I opened it to go with grilled pork chops, roasted zucchini and a Greek cucumber salad. I chilled the bottle to about 45° in my wine cooler. The wine is off-dry, fresh and crisp tasting like strawberries and a hint of lemon. There was a subtle mineral after taste and a hint of jam. It was a great complement to the grilled meat and vegetables.

This wine would also be delightful all by itself, just sitting and sipping on the patio enjoying the last of summer and on into the mild fall days. I will be going back and buying quite a few more bottles.