After years of being bombarded by made-up food and drink holidays, we typically shy away from stuff like National Rosé Day (which, if you need an excuse, falls on June 12 this year). But here's a damn fine reason to celebrate: the first-ever rosé hotline is now accepting calls, fielding all of your burning, boozy questions about the pink drink.
Manned by US vino expert Greg Innocent, the phone line is open throughout the month of June, which is coincidentally National Rosé Month (even more excuses to imbibe). Innocent is the beverage director for The Hampton Social, a rosé-fueled restaurant that boasts locations in Illinois, Tennessee and Florida. In other words, he knows a thing or two about everyone's favorite summertime wine.
Whether you're wandering the liquor store in search of a unique bottle of rosé to bring to your first post-pandemic dinner party or you're brainstorming the perfect food pairing for a bottle you already have in the fridge, Innocent is just a call away. US residents can simply dial 267-927-ROSE (7673) to be connected faster than you can say 'hotline bling.'
'Rosé literally has brought fun to modern wine drinking,' Innocent says. 'Rosé for decades was the wine that was consumed in the South of France, the Hamptons, and now, to a body of water near you. Yes, kiddie pools count as bodies of water. Rosé isn't just for celebrities anymore. It’s for you.'
Callers will quickly realize that Innocent is a big fan of having fun with wine and not taking it – or yourself – too seriously. But no question is too silly for him to consider.
'Can men drink rosé? Yes,' he says. 'Am I allowed to drink rosé with my dinner if it's not a salad? Yes!'
Of course, given Innocent's next-level knowledge on the subject, you might want to just geek out with him about rosé for a minute or even ask him for some emerging winemakers to look out for. Just make sure to pour yourself a glass before you give him a ring – if only for research purposes.