St. James Pink Catawba

St. James Pink Catawba is a sweet rosé wine made from 100% Pink Catawba grapes, bottled at 11.5% ABV in a 750ml bottle with a twist-off cap. This Missouri-grown wine earned a Double Gold medal at the 2018 Tasters Guild Consumer competition and a Gold medal (89 points) at the 2018 San Francisco International Wine Competition, establishing it as one of the Midwest's most decorated Catawba wines.

Quick Facts: ABV: 11.5%  |  Origin: St. James, Missouri  |  Style: Sweet Rosé  |  Winery: St. James Winery

Production & Heritage

St. James Winery operates in the town of St. James, Missouri, situated near mile marker 195 of Interstate 44 in the heart of Missouri wine country. The wine is produced from Pink Catawba, a clonal mutation of the classic Catawba grape discovered in the 1940s by French-American viticulturalist Charles Fournier. This mutation produces less pigmentation in the grape skin than standard Catawba, yielding a lighter, more delicate rosé character that distinguishes it from wines made with the deeper-hued parent variety.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh melon and ripe strawberry lead the nose immediately, followed by fragrant, fruity notes that suggest a wine of considerable brightness. The bouquet is clean and inviting without heavy floral overtones.

Taste: The entry is soft and fruit-forward, with table grape and strawberry flavors arriving on the mid-palate alongside light bubblegum nuances. Sweetness is present but well-managed — a delightful balance of sugar and tartness, reminiscent of biting into a perfectly ripe apple, keeps the wine from ever feeling cloying.

Finish: The finish is light and refreshing, with lingering berry sweetness tapering into a clean, slightly tart close. It leaves the palate feeling bright rather than heavy, encouraging another sip.

How to Drink Pink Catawba

Serve well chilled, between 40–45°F, to highlight the crisp fruit character and balanced sweetness. This wine works beautifully on its own as a porch sipper or poolside pour. For a Catawba Spritzer, combine with sparkling water and a squeeze of lime for a low-ABV refresher. In a Rosé Sangria, the strawberry and melon notes blend naturally with fresh-cut stone fruit and citrus. A simple Frosé — frozen with ice and a splash of lemon juice — turns this into an ideal warm-weather treat.

Best For

• Casual outdoor gatherings and backyard barbecues where a chilled, easy-drinking wine fits the mood
• Introducing sweet wine drinkers to American heritage grape varieties
• Gifting someone who enjoys White Zinfandel and wants to explore a similar style with distinct character
• Brunch entertaining alongside fruit platters, pastries, and lighter fare

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Pink Catawba taste like? St. James Pink Catawba delivers ripe strawberry and table grape flavors with a touch of bubblegum, balanced by a pleasant tartness that keeps the sweetness in check. It drinks light and refreshing, closer to a fruity White Zinfandel than a heavy dessert wine.

How does Pink Catawba compare to White Zinfandel? Both wines occupy a similar sweet, fruit-forward rosé space, but Pink Catawba uses an American heritage grape rather than a European varietal, giving it a distinctive table grape and melon character that White Zinfandel typically lacks. The Catawba grape's natural tartness also provides a slightly more balanced finish than many mass-market White Zinfandels.

Is Pink Catawba good for beginners? Yes — its approachable sweetness, low tannin, and moderate 11.5% ABV make it an excellent starting point for anyone new to wine or transitioning from sweeter beverages. The twist-off cap also removes any intimidation around opening the bottle.

Where is Pink Catawba made? St. James Pink Catawba is produced by St. James Winery in St. James, Missouri, located in the Ozark Highlands along Interstate 44. Missouri has a long winemaking history predating Prohibition, and the region's continental climate supports Catawba grape cultivation.

What foods pair well with Pink Catawba? Grilled chicken or pork with a fruit glaze complements the wine's berry sweetness. Fresh strawberry salad with goat cheese mirrors its fruity aromatics. Mild, creamy cheeses like brie or havarti balance the tartness nicely. Spicy Asian dishes — such as sweet chili shrimp — find a refreshing counterpoint in the wine's residual sugar. Fruit tarts or shortcake echo the melon and strawberry notes on the palate.

What sizes does Pink Catawba come in? St. James Pink Catawba is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Pink Catawba worth the price? Pink Catawba positions as an entry-level sweet rosé, making it highly accessible and strong on value. Its multiple Gold medals — including a Double Gold at the 2018 Tasters Guild — suggest quality that punches above its price tier.

Why Pink Catawba?

What separates this wine from the crowded field of sweet rosés is the grape itself. Pink Catawba is a rare clonal mutation discovered by noted viticulturalist Charles Fournier in the 1940s, and relatively few wineries bottle it as a varietal wine. The result is a distinctive flavor profile — that ripe table grape and strawberry combination with natural tartness — that you simply cannot replicate with Zinfandel or Grenache. Backed by a Double Gold medal and an 89-point Gold from the San Francisco International Wine Competition, this is a Missouri wine that has earned serious recognition on a national stage, making it a standout choice for drinkers who want something genuinely different in their glass.