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The
Surprising Sippers of Summer
 It’s
a sweltering, hot August day and you’re
preparing a light repast for some friends by
the pool. You don’t feel like drinking
beer, or water, and your usual choices of Chardonnay
and Sauvignon Blanc just aren’t making
your mouth water in anticipation. So, what
do you do? Well. . . in our professional opinion,
it sounds like you are ripe for a lush, pleasingly
fruity, DRY rose. No, not the white zinfandels
of pink-wine fame, but instead the dry, crisp,
refreshing pink wines of France, Australia,
Spain, Italy and California. These wines are
full of flavor, complexity, and layers of strawberry,
cherry, apple and pear fruit flavors that explode
on your palate only to melt away with cleansing
acidity that leaves your mouth ready for another
quenching gulp.
Listed below are a few of the many dry Roses that we have grown to
love and cherish – some for years, while others are newcomers
that we have only enjoyed for a short time. We are confident that when
you give these wines a try, you will be beguiled by their light, clean,
fresh flavors, and the extra “kick” of personality that
contact with the red skins adds to an otherwise casual summer sipper.
Experiment, and enjoy!
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2001
Vega Sindoa Rose, Spain - $7.99/bottle
This delightful summer sipper hails from the valley of Valdizarbe in the
wine-growing region of Navarra, Spain. It is comprised of 50% Garnache
(Grenache) and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is refreshingly dry with added
body and cherry fruit from the Cabernet, plus it gains a subtle spice from
the Grenache. Try it with antipasti and simple summer sandwiches. |
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2002
Turkey Flat Rose, Australia - $15.99/bottle
This surprisingly full-bodied Rose come from the famed Barossa Valley in
Australia. Its cepage of 38% Grenache, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Shiraz,
and 5% Dolcetto provides more than ample berry fruit. It’s a little
darker and richer than most roses, yet still boasts a very dry finish.
You should try it with grilled turkey and chicken kabobs.
www.turkeyflat.com |
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2002
La Palma Rose, Chile - $7.99/bottle
This Estate bottled Rose from the Cachapoal Valey in Chile is a great wine
for the price – what a value! It’s a blend of 60% Merlot and
40% Cabernet Sauvignon with a nose reminiscent of Strawberry and cherry.
Luscious flavors of very ripe strawberry with hints of red apple and pear
show on the palate, with crisp acidity and a clean finish. Great with quiche
and shrimp cocktail.
www.lapalma.cl |
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2002
La Vieille Ferme Rose, France - $7.99/bottle
Mountain grown fruit from Mt. Ventoux, this
is dry with good, crisp acidity on the finish. It shows
refreshing strawberry notes with a slightly spicy finish.
Serve this Rhone Valley Rose well-chilled with light summer
fare.
www.vineyardbrands.com |
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2001
Fife Redhead Rose, California - $14.99/bottle
This Rose from Mendocino is anything but typical. It is bigger and bolder
in flavor, and deeper in color than most roses; it could be said, in fact,
that it is a rose for people who like red wines. Not only is it bone dry,
but it finishes with a sassy and refreshing acidity that entirely cleans-up
the initial richness of the wine. It attacks like a fruit explosion in
your Mouth – ripe berries everywhere, with a long and fruity finish.
A great compliment for smoked meats and grilled fowl.
www.fifevineyards.com |
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2002
Ninet de Pena Rose, France - $7.99/bottle
From the Cotes Catalanes comes this classic onion-skin color rose with
a freshly-picked-fruit nose that carries over to a juicy mouth feel. Very
refreshing and richly deceptive, it’s a great way to drink “red” wine
in the summer. Will work well with picnic fare, up to and including grilled
salmon. |
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