…and no, I don’t mean the lovely ones blooming in my garden right now. I mean the succulent, dry, lively, luscious wine rosés that are popping into wine stores and restaurants all across the area right about now. Dry rosés are something that the denizens of Europe have been enjoying for centuries- they are red wines that, instead of being red (thanks to limited skin contact) come out pink instead. You get some of the rich dark fruit flavors commonly associated with red wines, encapsulated within a lighter body wine that can be chilled.
Pink wine has gotten somewhat of a bad reputation over the past few years. There are numerous producers in the United States that make pink wines (usually under the guise of White Zinfandel) that, while sweet, pleasant and drinkable, are not something that one usually waxes poetic about. What I’m talking about is rosé- in all of it’s robust, tangy, juicy glory.
You can find fantastic dry rosé from just about all of the major wine producing regions of the world these days, but the main homelands (so to speak) for this style are still Spain and France. Spanish rosado tends to be a little more lush and fruity than its French counterparts, and is commonly made from either Grenache or Tempranillo.
Many fine French rosés are also made from Grenache, but depending on the region from which it hales you will also find Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah and Cinsault commonly used. Confused yet? Don’t be. While the grape or grapes that a rosé is made from can effect the flavor, the overall impression is usually the same- a fantastic and versatile wine for summer enjoyment. Below are several new arrivals that we here at The Wine Seller have been enjoying lately. Salut!
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Za Za Garnacha Rosé Campo de Borja, Spain $8.99
Luscious, creamy, rich aromas and flavors of strawberries and ripe cherries. While you would expect these flavors to produce a sweet wine, the overall impression is of fresh ripe fruit, instead of anything artificially sweetened. This is the essence of good Spanish rosé- juicy and full-bodied yet light enough to pair with chicken or seafood. Especially lovely with pork.
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Domaine Bellevue Touraine Rosé Loire, France $9.99
100% Cabernet Franc. Crisp and refreshing flavors of black currants and cranberries are balanced by soft tannins and a juicy fruit-filled personality. Citrus notes predominate on the finish which makes this an excellent wine for simple summer refreshment or to pair with your favorite seafood dishes.
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Tegernseerhof Mittelbach Zweigelt Rose Austria $11.99
Don’t worry about pronouncing the name (or the grape for that matter)- just ask us for the Austrian rosé. This is among the leaner of the rosés that we carry, but that doesn’t mean it lacks in personality or character. Bright, tangy flavors of fresh picked berries are mixed with the zesty essence of lemon and lime. The perfect wine to serve if you don’t know whether you want a white or a red…it admirably fills the roles of both!
