Throughout the middle ages, no one knew how to throw parties like monks. This isn’t really in the history textbook, but one sip of this Austrian rose grown, vinified, and bottled by monks leaves us with no alternative conclusion. In the vineyards abutting the monastic complex of Stift Göttweig in sunny Kremstal, they’ve been perfecting a thrilling blend of Pinot Noir and Zweigelt for almost a thousand years. “Messwein” means “Mass Wine”, and can carry that label only when the local bishop deems it is good enough – or when the local bishop has enough guests coming to an upcoming barbecue. Whatever the origin, there are few rosés from anywhere that offer so much zesty fruit and reliably crisp panache as this one. Misty aromas of white pepper, white strawberry, lavender, lemon peel, and granitic mineral echoes promise relief on a hot day, and the palate delivers with juicy Rainier cherry and yellow raspberries bouncing along to an extended A-major chord of acidity and citrus zest falling like spring blossoms on a windy day. Serve at church picnics (or other sorts of picnics) with fresh charcuterie boards, fruit salads, and cold dishes flavored with basil.